"Clockwatchers" Movie Poster
A couple of the greatest, funniest movies of all time released in the 1980s and 1990s were all about office life. Remember 198o's "9 to 5" with Jane Fonda, Dolly Parton, Lily Tomlin and Dabney Coleman? And how about 1999's "Office Space" with Gary Coleman and a whole crop of lazy office workers? Well, I bet you haven't heard of "Clockwatchers".
The seemingly-boring, yet goofy and hilarious trailer is posted on YouTube, where the voice announcer says, amongst the drab cubicles and bare walls, "In a world where nothing ever happens, a major catastrophe is about to strike." To be honest, when I first picked up this movie off the library shelf, I wasn't expecting much more than a silly 1990s movie about four girlfriends just trying to enjoy life and get out of working. However, seeing that this movie has been compared to "Taxi Driver" and "Working Girl," it changed my perspective a bit. Still, I was skeptical, but I said to myself to give it a try.
Winner of "Best Picture" at the Turin Film Festival and "Official Selection" at both the Sundance and Toronto Film Festival, this 1998 comedy-drama shows the life of four friends who are temping at an office building, taking viewers on the ride of all their adventures as friends, co-workers and eventually, enemies.
The seemingly-boring, yet goofy and hilarious trailer is posted on YouTube, where the voice announcer says, amongst the drab cubicles and bare walls, "In a world where nothing ever happens, a major catastrophe is about to strike." To be honest, when I first picked up this movie off the library shelf, I wasn't expecting much more than a silly 1990s movie about four girlfriends just trying to enjoy life and get out of working. However, seeing that this movie has been compared to "Taxi Driver" and "Working Girl," it changed my perspective a bit. Still, I was skeptical, but I said to myself to give it a try.
Winner of "Best Picture" at the Turin Film Festival and "Official Selection" at both the Sundance and Toronto Film Festival, this 1998 comedy-drama shows the life of four friends who are temping at an office building, taking viewers on the ride of all their adventures as friends, co-workers and eventually, enemies.
The movie opens with a ticking of a clock, with a solid black background and white script letters introducing the actors and actresses. Without any dialog, the first scene opens to a male receptionist reading a magazine with a nervous and impatient-looking woman, dressed in a gray sweater, pink blouse and brown skirt, standing on the other side of the counter. The ticking of the wall clock continues, showing it is almost 9 a.m. Once the clock turns to 9 a.m., the receptionist pushes the magazine aside, revealing the letters "GCA" behind him, asking the woman in a pleasant, orderly voice, "How can I help you?"
The beginning progresses with Iris (Toni Collette) beginning her job as a temporary office worker. On her first day, she waits for two hours until a woman worker escorts her to her cubicle, saying, "I hope you can type." Iris's duties are typing invoices on an ancient-looking typewriter and making copies of them. A mousy and quiet woman with large glasses, Iris works away, discarding the invoices with mistakes in her purse. She goes to make copies, where she meets Paula (Lisa Kudrow) jamming paper clips into the second copier so it will not work. Paula is much the opposite of Iris, dressed in a bright yellow and black shirt and short skirt set, flipping her blond hair around as Iris just tries to make the copies. Much of the same happens day in and day out, where, according to the back of the movie case, "Looking busy is a full time occupation."
Along the way, Iris and Paula become friends, and then they meet Margaret (Parker Posey) and Jane (Alanna Ubach). Margaret is the polar opposite of Iris, getting Iris to eventually stand up for herself and be more outspoken. Jane is the driven one, hoping for a full-time assistant position through temping at GCA. However, she is engaged to a jerk who is already cheating on her.
Eventually, friendships fall apart. Thefts begin to occur in the office, and everyone suspects the temps. Did the temps do it, or is someone else behind the stealing? Watch this movie to find out. With my initial skepticism, I surely didn't expect there to be a mystery wrapped up in this comedy-drama, but it certainly made "Clockwatchers" more entertaining and much more amusing than I originally imagined.
The beginning progresses with Iris (Toni Collette) beginning her job as a temporary office worker. On her first day, she waits for two hours until a woman worker escorts her to her cubicle, saying, "I hope you can type." Iris's duties are typing invoices on an ancient-looking typewriter and making copies of them. A mousy and quiet woman with large glasses, Iris works away, discarding the invoices with mistakes in her purse. She goes to make copies, where she meets Paula (Lisa Kudrow) jamming paper clips into the second copier so it will not work. Paula is much the opposite of Iris, dressed in a bright yellow and black shirt and short skirt set, flipping her blond hair around as Iris just tries to make the copies. Much of the same happens day in and day out, where, according to the back of the movie case, "Looking busy is a full time occupation."
Along the way, Iris and Paula become friends, and then they meet Margaret (Parker Posey) and Jane (Alanna Ubach). Margaret is the polar opposite of Iris, getting Iris to eventually stand up for herself and be more outspoken. Jane is the driven one, hoping for a full-time assistant position through temping at GCA. However, she is engaged to a jerk who is already cheating on her.
Eventually, friendships fall apart. Thefts begin to occur in the office, and everyone suspects the temps. Did the temps do it, or is someone else behind the stealing? Watch this movie to find out. With my initial skepticism, I surely didn't expect there to be a mystery wrapped up in this comedy-drama, but it certainly made "Clockwatchers" more entertaining and much more amusing than I originally imagined.
Thanks for reading! I willingly accept any comments on my reviews or suggestions for movies for me to review. My only requirements for movie suggestions: (a) it has to be a movie that I have never heard of or (b) a movie that you think not a lot of people --- especially college students --- haven't seen.
Tune in next week for a movie you probably haven't seen!
-Laura Beth :)
Parker Posey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Another great role for her is in "Dazed and Confused." It's an excellent Richard Linklater film. Also check out "Waking Life" by Linklater. OH and "Ghostworld!" Not by Dick but it will fit in with what you have been doing.
ReplyDeleteAwesome Kyle! Thanks for the suggestions - can't wait to research and eventually watch them! I've actually considered "Ghostworld," but haven't watched it. Thanks for commenting!
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