With the release of Office Christmas Party this weekend, let’s take a look back at some of the other office themed comedies that we’ve all laughed our way through like long day at work.
9 to 5
Dolly Parton is known to the world as a unique music artist with a very vocal personality. In 1980 Dolly starred in 9 to 5 with Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. The movie centered on the mistreatment of three female employees by a sexist, egotistical boss and their revenge on him. We’ve all had a boss that made us question why we even bothered working or helping customers. I’m also sure that the same boss in your mind has also caused you to think of ways to “accidentally” remove him from the picture. This movie takes a very unique approach to removing a boss from the equation in a way that only Dolly Parton and friends could get away with!
Working Girl
Being an assistant can be a very fulfilling job in the right circumstance. But, when you begin to feel taken advantage of and underappreciated some may feel obligated to make their importance known to all. In Working Girl, Melanie Griffith plays a very frustrated secretary to Sigourney Weaver’s character. When Weaver is injured and out of work, Griffith sees her big chance to make a mark on this company and finally be noticed. Of course things get dicey when Weaver returns to work just as life at the office was improving. The movie has Harrison Ford and Sigourney Weaver in it, how could it not be fun?
The Internship
The duo that brought the world Wedding Crashers returns to bring us a fun romp about two men who are forced to embrace the new world of technology and get an internship at Google. Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn play two former salesmen who get let go from their long time job because they have been replaced by computers. As a last resort, the pair decide to join Google and are thrust into an almost Hunger Games-like competition for the position available. Watching two grown men who were masters of their craft in sales being pushed back down to the bottom of the totem pole is both funny and sad at the same time. The movie is incredibly timely as this exact scenario happens daily as technology continues to grow.
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy
Will Ferrell gained a lot of new fans when he brought Ron Burgundy to life. This film gave an outrageous and questionably believable look inside local cable news outlets and the strange incidents that occur within them. No matter where you work there are always certain types of people you meet. There are cocky people who think they are gods amongst men like Ron Burgundy. I think we all know Ron Burgundy at our office that is a famous celebrity in his or her own mind. The goofy and yet sweet friendship that Ron and the other anchors have in this movie produce some of the best one-liners that still echo through offices today.
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The Intern
Similar to The Internship, an older man played by Robert De Niro decides to re-enter the workplace by interning at a fashion website and assisting its owner played by Anne Hathaway. The fun part about this movie isn’t De Niro trying to get the hang of social media and computers; it’s his considerably younger coworkers learning to be adults by making him a father/grandfather figure. It’s old school teaching new school how to balance life and fun while being successful in work and relationships. Along with its many funny moments, the film also has a very big heart to it with many touching scenes between Hathaway and De Niro.
Employee of the Month
Have you ever wondered what happens in those big box stores while you’re shopping for a new TV or a pair of pants? Dane Cook is an average employee and box boy who is constantly overshadowed by the egotistical employee of the month winner played by Dax Sheppard. When new transfer Jessica Simpson arrives, its an all out contest to see who can be the next employee of the month and win the heart of the attractive new girl. Although this movie doesn’t have the most complicated plot, the seriousness that the characters have adds a very consistent level of comedy that makes you look at the workers at your local Best Buy or Wal-Mart differently.
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The Wolf of Wall Street
There is a very thin line that is presented in Leonardo Dicaprio and Martin Scorsese’s The Wolf of Wall Street. Throughout the film we see the fun insanity that comes from making obscene amounts of money and being able to have anything you desire. There are strippers, drugs, parties, big houses, fast cars, and endless opportunities. All of this started from a few men in a small office calling people and scamming them out of their money. The downside of all the riches and fame is the loss of morality and friends.
Horrible Bosses
Remember how Dolly Parton and her friends got their boss out of the picture? In Horrible Bosses three average guys devise a plan to actually “take out” their bosses. The all-star comedic cast features Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, Jason Sudeikis, Kevin Spacey, Colin Farrell and Jennifer Aniston. Each boss has something more evil than the previous one, which drives our characters to seek the ultimate punishment upon them. Sadly, these are the three most inept men on earth, which makes for the funniest comedy I have seen in a while.
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Clerks
“I’m not even supposed to be here today!” Most people have most likely thought this line when they get called in on their one day off. Kevin Smith struck comedic gold with this film back in the 90’s. The premise is simple and the humor is kind of dry, but boy does this film bring the laughs. If you have ever worked retail, convenience stores, or just worked with the public in general you will appreciate this film even more. This film has become a cult classic over the years and has spawned spinoffs and a sequel that continue to bring laughter even today.
Office Space
When the category of “office comedies” comes up, the first film on everyone’s list is usually Office Space. To this day, no other film has captured the office life as well as this film. In the same spirit of Horrible Bosses, the film revolves around employees who can’t stand their awful boss and decide to fight back against their leadership. What follows is crazy and memorable for anyone who has ever felt frustration with his or her workplace or boss.
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