My Favorite Workplace Comedies.
So Extract is released this week. I haven’t yet had a chance to see it. I seem to be very far behind in my movie going this summer but I am pretty excited about it. There is a solid cast (said from the bottom of my Arrested Development loving heart) and it’s great to see Judge returning to the genre that immortalized him. Sure Beavis and Butthead was an unfortunate phenomenon and King of the Hill has lasted almost 600 seasons (it comes to an end this year) on a station that killed some of my favorites (see the above mentioned) in less time than they were worth. But it is Office Space that really sticks out in my mind as his real triumph. The endlessly quotable workplace flick that hits home with all of us. Right down to wanting to hook up with Jennifer Anniston. So I thought I’d throw together a short list of my favorites. These are biased as I am nostalgically linked to a lot of them. Then, so are a lot of other people.
High Fidelity
Not completely a workplace comedy but I think the parts in the store are my absolute favorite. The categorizing of the customers and the endless list making to push through the dull hours working retail are things more than a few of us can relate to. Great Music and a great supporting cast make this a classic in my mind.
Clerks
Yeah, we all love Clerks. It sort of started the idea of the displaced lazy minimum wager flick that was popular in the 90s. Full of classic lines and characters that in a way Smith has not really topped. I guess that’s why he always goes back to the well. a benchmark for indie filmaking, grunge culture and the entire idea of a generation X.
Empire Records
Anyone who knows me, knows I love this movie. It will be remembered the same way seminal 80s classics are remembered as a slice of teen life from a decade past. Sure there was more to teen life in the 90s than just plaid, grunge, angst and Liv Tyler but they’re just as iconic as leg warmers and Molly Ringwald. Plus, what kid didn’t have dreams of working in a record store as a teenager? Hanging out and discussing music all day. Although people who had those jobs may have seen a weak reality to this fantasy, others like me who never had the chance hold on to this fantasy.
In Good Company
I was a big That 70’s Show fan. I thought Topher Grace could deliver any line and get away with it. I still sort of do but I haven’t exactly seen him around lately. Put that together with Scarlett Johansen, who I think we can all agree puts asses in seats and a trailer with strategic placement of Peter Gabriel’s Solisbury Hill, and I was in. A little more dramatic than others on my list but solid throughout.
Anchoman
These days I hate Will Farrell. The man’s approach to comedy is so predictable and forced that his movies just fall flat to me. But Anchorman, there is a quotable movie with a killer supporting cast and a fantastic setting. To me this was his high water mark, or I should say IS his high water mark. I’m big on second chances.
(Quick note. I thought he was great in Stranger than fiction though.)
