2008 Woodie Awards
'Employee' offers few benefits for viewers
Critic's Corner
Sarah Burzynski
Issue date: 10/12/06 Section: Culture
- Page 1 of 1
By Sarah Burzynski
Assistant Sports Editor
As die-hard Dane Cook fans, my best friend and I spent weeks counting down the days until "Employee of the Month" opened.
The movie is set in a wholesale store where Vince (Dax Shepard) has won Employee of the Month for 17 months straight.
If he wins the title for an 18th time, he'll break a record and be rewarded with a "newish" Chevy Malibu.
When word gets out that new cashier Amy (Jessica Simpson) likes to date the Employee of the Month, slacker Zack (Dane Cook) vows to beat Vince and, in turn, get the girl.
My friend and I were worried that Simpson's lack of talent would ruin the film, and we ended up being partially correct.
I wouldn't say that her acting was Oscar-worthy; in fact, I wouldn't even say that she acted at all.
Throughout most of the movie, Simpson's face remained expressionless, and her voice conveyed no energy or emotion.
Perhaps the directors decided that they could compensate by showcasing Simpson's voluptuous chest because nearly every scene had her prancing around in a very low-cut top.
Cook, on the other hand, succeeded in maintaining his persona of the laid-back sarcastic guy.
Although movie rating restrictions probably kept him from reaching his full potential, he at least looked like he enjoyed being there.
To me, the worst part of the film was its predictability. Following the traditional Hollywood formula of "the guy gets the girl despite thinking he's lost her forever," anyone could guess the ending of this movie.
After leaving the theater, my friend and I decided that the writers must have gotten together one night over beers and said, "Dude, let's make a movie just like 'Office Space,' only not as funny."
Both films feature an obnoxious corporate boss, a lead actor with deadpan humor, an employee of Pakistani descent, a guy with terrible taste in eyewear and a girl-next-door blonde.
The major difference is that "Office Space" made me go into hysterics while this movie only produced exactly one full-blown laugh.
(That scene cannot be repeated here because of The Echo's policy regarding foul language.)
But if you're a fan of mediocre humor and enjoy watching minimum-wage employees scan merchandise, this movie is for you.
If not, use your $8 to rent Mike Judge's classic.
Assistant Sports Editor
As die-hard Dane Cook fans, my best friend and I spent weeks counting down the days until "Employee of the Month" opened.
The movie is set in a wholesale store where Vince (Dax Shepard) has won Employee of the Month for 17 months straight.
If he wins the title for an 18th time, he'll break a record and be rewarded with a "newish" Chevy Malibu.
When word gets out that new cashier Amy (Jessica Simpson) likes to date the Employee of the Month, slacker Zack (Dane Cook) vows to beat Vince and, in turn, get the girl.
My friend and I were worried that Simpson's lack of talent would ruin the film, and we ended up being partially correct.
I wouldn't say that her acting was Oscar-worthy; in fact, I wouldn't even say that she acted at all.
Throughout most of the movie, Simpson's face remained expressionless, and her voice conveyed no energy or emotion.
Perhaps the directors decided that they could compensate by showcasing Simpson's voluptuous chest because nearly every scene had her prancing around in a very low-cut top.
Cook, on the other hand, succeeded in maintaining his persona of the laid-back sarcastic guy.
Although movie rating restrictions probably kept him from reaching his full potential, he at least looked like he enjoyed being there.
To me, the worst part of the film was its predictability. Following the traditional Hollywood formula of "the guy gets the girl despite thinking he's lost her forever," anyone could guess the ending of this movie.
After leaving the theater, my friend and I decided that the writers must have gotten together one night over beers and said, "Dude, let's make a movie just like 'Office Space,' only not as funny."
Both films feature an obnoxious corporate boss, a lead actor with deadpan humor, an employee of Pakistani descent, a guy with terrible taste in eyewear and a girl-next-door blonde.
The major difference is that "Office Space" made me go into hysterics while this movie only produced exactly one full-blown laugh.
(That scene cannot be repeated here because of The Echo's policy regarding foul language.)
But if you're a fan of mediocre humor and enjoy watching minimum-wage employees scan merchandise, this movie is for you.
If not, use your $8 to rent Mike Judge's classic.
