Product: Office Space (1999)
Rating: 5.0
Milton Rules!
I recently bought this comedy at the store just due to its low price. A comedy about working kind of sounded interesting coming from the maker of "Beavis And Butthead" and "King Of The Hill" sounded like a good idea. I expected to laugh out loud and did, but not because of the plight of hero Peter, but rather the antics of Milton, the mumbling officer worker that never stands up for himself.The story actually focuses on Peter (played by Ron Livingston), who is an office worker struggling through his cubicle-encompassing job at Initech. His life is a mess with a girlfirend that cheats on him, the woman of his dreams (played by Jennifer Anistion) not noticing him and having to put up with a monotone boss. After being hypnotized, he realizes he's had enough. He starts showing up less at work and when he does he just goofs off. He also makes a successful relationship with the girl of his dreams. Peter also manages to move up in the ranks with his new neglect for work. Even with all this Peter is unhappy because to of his hard working friends get laid off. They hatch a plan to rip off Initech and make a few bucks in the process. Of course, chaos follows.This main story is good for many jokes, but Peter as the normal guy that goes out of control isn't as funny as the characters that are thrown in for even more comic relief. One example is the construction worker friend of Peter that lives next door. Deitrich Bader (from "Drew Carey") is to funny as Peter's loud fishing buddy Lawrence. Joanna (Jennifer) is the best female presence in this mostly male cast and her "minimal requirement" waitress is so real and funny. But the best is by fair Milton, who stutters stammers through the film as the forgotten worker that is always being pushed in a corner and treated like garbage. While the film's story gets kind of slow as Peter tries to heal things over with his girlfriend and restore the stolen money, keep your eye on Milton whose abuse is taken to new heights ("But I didn't get a piece of cake last time."). He really makes me laugh out loud and takes over the movie. Just to see him in action is magic. See the movie for the incredible performance from Stephen Root as Milton. Where's his oscar?