Office Space

viewed November 1, 1999 on video

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A nice bit of harmless fun that veers out of control from its midway point to its half-baked finale.  The satire is light and more cute than poignant, such as the haplessly inept Milton's half-audible protests against his abusive boss.  The three buddies who conspire against their downsizing corporation are likable enough: the one named Michael Bolton has a secret passion for rap that comes off as cute.  As the lead, Robert Livingston comes off as a B-grade Kevin Spacey.  After his character is hypnotized, he enters a profound state of self-indulgence, not unlike the lead character of a major release this fall. He has that same smug look of self-gratification as he tells everyone in earshot just what he thinks.  Jennifer Aniston's character is pretty shallow even as formula love-interest characters go, and Aniston isn't even that attractive here.  

Ever since I've been back I've contemplated a story about existing in the lower circles of the corporate world; if I were to write such a story, I could only offer the novelty of investing my characters -- including the cardboard cut-out villains -- with some emotional depth.  I think it's worthwhile to offer idiot types as fodder for the audience's laughter and scorn; it's even more worthwhile to give those idiots some bite and then watch how they tick (see In the Company of Men).  American Beauty accomplished three compelling characters, all of them being the good guys; Office Space offers no compelling characters whatsoever, substituting a steady stream of sharp, disdainful cuts at corporate culture.  It's smart, but unsurprising and emotionally shallow.  

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