Clockwatchers (1998)

CLOCKWATCHERS is a clock-watcher.  Oh, the first 40 or so minutes 
of this black comedy ain't bad, with Parker Posey (THE HOUSE OF 
YES), Lisa Kudrow (THE OPPOSITE OF SEX), Toni Collette (MURIEL'S 
WEDDING), and Alanna Ubach (THE BRADY BUNCH) as clerical temps 
trying to look busy in the Cubical Farm From Hell.  (The place is 
called Global Credit, where the mail guy's a stalker, the office 
supplies must be begged for, and the pastel-colored walls are as 
loud as the Muzak.  Calling Dogbert!)  Early plot points have Col-
lette's character being shown the ropes and the four of 'em becom-
ing fast friends.  For a while it works, with the droll humor and 
surreal setting offsetting the film's more obvious liabilities.  
(Ranging from the ultra low-budget production values to Collette's 
overly-mousey performance.)  When the plot takes a slightly more 
serious turn, involving the introduction of a rival (full-time!) 
character, things turns tedious.  That home stretch is as tough to 
endure as any sans-effects sequence in GODZILLA, THE X-FILES, or 
ARMAGEDDON.  Co-written and directed by Jill Sprecher, making her 
feature-film debut.  (Rated "PG-13"/96 min.)

Grade: C-

Copyright 1998 Michael J. Legeros
Movie Hell is a trademark of Michael J. Legeros

Originally posted to triangle.movies as MOVIE HELL: In Brief