Plot Details: This opinion reveals major details about the movie's plot.

I still remember it. We went to go see this movie in the theater in 1999, expecting nothing. We'd been warned not to go. But instead, Office Space was an unbelievably good movie, with a combination of witty humor and facets that just hit home. The theater had just a few people in it, but everyone was laughing out loud. This is one of the only movies that I will watch repeatedly, own a copy of, and tell people "you HAVE to see it"!


Office Space

Office space was released in February 1999, and is directed by Mike Judge. It is now available on VHS or DVD, and I recommend renting a copy (rather than watching it on TV). TV versions tend to cut out good parts and edit out a few things, so I suggest renting this movie, which runs about 1 hour, 29 minutes. I have an old VHS copy, and I’d like the DVD, even though it doesn’t have special features.

Even though it is the 5-year mark, this movie doesn’t feel particularly dated, and I think it will remain that way for a while. It is, however, simple and different, which will make it stand out differently.

There are a few scenes that are on the crude side, and there is some swearing, so although this movie is tame for the most part, it isn't something I would recommend for kids. It is R-rated anyway. Besides, I would have to say that a lot of the humor is really lost on younger people who haven't worked in an office environment.

The soundtrack is nothing special, although it never detracts from the movie - it does just the opposite. There are a few songs that are a particularly great selection for the film, because it is really fitting at a certain point. For example, really heavy rap that plays during a scene where the guys are destroying a fax machine, the music is very fitting. Most of the other music really has not much bearing or importance.


The Plot & Characters

The plot is simple enough. The main character, Peter Gibbons (Ron Livingston) drags himself to work at "Initech" every day, pretty much anticipating that he's going to hate it. His close friends at the company, Samir Nayeenanajar (Ajay Naidu) and Michael Bolton (David Herman) sympathize with him, as they are miserable as well.

There is an amazing cast of characters. Peter's boss is Bill Lumbaugh (Gary Cole), an irritating man who always has to say, "Yyyyyeaaa.. I'm going to have to go ahead and...". He strolls around with his cup of coffee, waiting to strike, especially when it comes to asking employees like Peter to work late, or even on weekends.

One day, Peter goes with his girlfriend to a hypnotist. I won't spoil it, but things go terribly wrong during hypnosis. However, Peter is left stress and worry-free. Instead of working his Saturday and Sunday, he lies in bed, ignoring the constant phone calls from his boss. His girlfriend breaks up with him, but he doesn't care. When Peter goes back to work, he does things his way, not caring if it means getting fired. But Bill has hired efficiency experts Bob and Bob (John C. McGinley and Paul Willson), a funny little duo who set out to minimize company costs (a.k.a. fire people). When it comes to Peter's turn for his interview, the amazing happens. Instead of losing his job, the "Bobs" just love him, and think he's genius.

Things are going well for Peter in the romance department as well. It is surprising to see Jennifer Aniston in this movie as Joanna, a waitress who can't stand her work at a TGIFriday-esque restaurant. At first, Aniston seemed really out of place in this movie, especially now that she's such a huge name, but she fits right in.

Office Space spirals into a movie about the workplace vs. the worker, with Peter leading a plot for revenge against Initech. (Again, I won't spoil it). Peter, Sumir and Michael aren't the only ones that hate their workplace, but after joking around about doing something revengeful, they actually start to formulate a plan.

The plot is wonderfully crafted, and the character development is great. One of my favorite characters is Milton Waddams (Stephen Root), an employee who has been highly abused by the company, and mumbles his complaints to himself in a withdrawn emotional state. Peering through fishbowl glasses and clutching a stapler, he doesn't realize that he was fired from the company ages ago. Milton is an amazing source of comedy, and it is a riot to watch him in this movie, whether he's talking about the married squirrels outside his office window, or how he refuses to be moved to a different part of the office time and time again. Without him, the movie would be nowhere as good.

Another one of my favorite characters is Tom (Richard Riehle), who everyone knows is working himself up for another heart attack. He is in a constant state of panic as he awaits an impending pink slip. Red-faced and out of breath, his concern about Initech is funny, but tends to ring true.

Most of the other characters are on the periphery, but they serve an excellent purpose as well. You've got a sickeningly perky waiter at the restaurant, a chatty woman at work, and many more. If you've ever heard the line, "Sounds like somebody's got a case of the Moon-days!", you can thank this movie! Each character was crafted to fill their own wonderful spot in the film, and are all an essential ingredient that make a great product.


My Thoughts

Right from the start, Office Space is hilarious. As the credits are opening, it shows Peter and Sumir in their cars as they are trying to drive to work. Peter is down to a crawl, and of course, when the other lane starts to go fast, he switches over - only to stop. It totally rings true, and just about anyone can relate to having to put up with awful traffic.

The characters couldn't have been better constructed, even though many fit into a type of stereotype. It allows the viewer to really relate to the characters, and I found myself gritting my teeth at a few of them, which fortunately portrayed them in a humorous light, to alleviate my stress! While they can be a little exaggerated (which is sometimes still realistic, unfortunately!), you've met "those kinds" of people before.

Office Space isn't full of action or special affects - in fact, there are none. That's what I think makes this a great film. It doesn't need computer enhanced special effects or dazzling displays of mayhem. It is the dialogue and character development that draws you in, then adding comedy to keep you hooked.

There are plenty of instances where I could initially relate to the movie, and of course, since then, there have been more. These moments make me think of the movie, and I have to laugh. When you're sitting in traffic and an elderly person walks past your car, you'll understand. The funniest thing is that you would be inclined to think that most of the stereotypes or characters ("the spunky waiter") are overdone, but they really aren't. In essence, Office Space could be just about anyone's workplace, but with a different set of characters.

The setting is a good choice for this movie - the Silicon Valley. And although it tends to date this movie, it makes it that much more well rounded. Peter is actually updating files for Y2K, which is funny especially now that it is the 21st century! The irony is the failure of so many dot-coms since the creation of this movie, which reinforces the sort of theme of the big computer company chewing up and spitting out it's employees.

Some of Office Space is going to be a little dry. Underneath that plain, no-frills exterior, the dialogue and nuances are the true masterpieces of this film The directors never employ slapstick comedy, but use true talent to convey humor. Beating a finicky fax machine with a baseball bat makes me laugh! It makes it worth watching time and time again.

The end of the movie is great as well. It is nothing particularly climatic, but it is truly satisfying to watch. It rounds out the evolution of the characters from start to finish, and really puts closure on the movie.

It's great talking to other people who have seen Office Space. It turns into a frenzy of "remember the part where" and "did you get the memo about the TPS report?" This movie is a mockery of so many ridiculous things that happen at work or socially.

There really isn't anything that I feel isn't good about this movie. The only thing I have noticed is that parts of the plot are rather disjointed and aren't fully developed. They seem to have been created as their own little humorous interjections, but have no real impact on the plot, or are there to make something happen. For example, we don't really meet Peter's first girlfriend, nor do we have any information on her, but her role was created to get Peter to the hypnotist. There are just some people and events that only play a role in terms of keeping the plot moving or to add humor.


Overall

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this movie to anyone, especially someone who hates his or her job or is just fed up with the work environment. Not only is this a great comedy, it makes me feel a little stronger in that I can take things with a grain of salt. Also, that I'm not the only one out there! Office Space is a light hearted portrayal of office politics. Each actor did a wonderful job, and this movie is brilliantly directed. The creators of this movie did an excellent job of turning the irritations of the workplace into a terrific movie. I think Office Space is unique and a wonderful film, and proves that low-budget movies can do well.




Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Good for Groups