Clockwatchers (1997)

The relationship between four female temps all working for the same credit company is threatened with the arrival of a new hire, who lands a permanent position one of the women was vying for.

Director:

Jill Sprecher

Writers:

Jill Sprecher, Karen Sprecher

Stars:

Toni Collette, Parker Posey, Lisa Kudrow

2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Toni Collette	...	Iris
Parker Posey	...	Margaret
Lisa Kudrow	...	Paula
Alanna Ubach	...	Jane
Helen FitzGerald	...	Cleo
Stanley DeSantis	...	Art
Jamie Kennedy	...	Eddie
David James Elliott	...	Mr. MacNamee
Debra Jo Rupp	...	Barbara
Kevin Cooney	...	Mr. Kilmer
Bob Balaban	...	Milton Lasky
Paul Dooley	...	Bud Chapman
Scott Mosenson	...	Jack Shoberg
Irene Olga López	...	Coffee Lady (as Irene Olga Lopez)
Joshua Malina	...	Global Credit Receptionist

Storyline

Iris can best be described as a wallflower. She begins her first day as a temp for the nondescript Global Credit Association by waiting in a chair for two hours. This sets the scene for her (mis)adventures with the other "corporate orphans", Margaret, Paula and Jane. Led by Margaret, they find subtle ways to lessen the ennui of corporate oppression. The tension escalates when the new permanent hire, Cleo, enters the picture.

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Plot Keywords:

office | office politics | temporary worker | pantyhose | black pantyhose | 

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Taglines:

FOUR GIRLS. FOUR DREAMS. ONE OFFICE.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for brief language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Lisa Kudrow and Bob Balaban worked together on Friends and Web Therapy.

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Goofs

When Iris addresses the recommendation letter that she got for Margaret, she writes her last name as Burrell, when it is actually Burre.

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Quotes

Margaret: What happened?
Iris Chapman: I guess, I'm just not like you.
Margaret: Yah know it's sad, isn't it, how people always end up betraying each other? And for what?

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: Living Out Loud/Unmade Beds/American History X/John Carpenter's Vampires/The Celebration (1998)

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Soundtracks

Jalaba
Written by Les Baxter
Performed by Les Baxter
Published by Skyview Music Corp./Bax Music (ASCAP)
By Arrangement with Ocean Park Music Group

User Reviews

What movie were you watching?

Some of the earlier reviewers have called "Clockwatchers" dull, pointless and have asked why it was made. My question for these reviewers is: What movie were you watching? Is there another movie with a similar title out there? This movie is incredible!

No, it's not a "There's Something About Mary" farce. No, there aren't any explosion and no one is killed. (Someone does die... but that happens off camera and we don't see any blood.) The comedy here is of the subtle, "funny because it is true" variety. If you've ever had a job, any job, the comedy in this movie cannot escape you.

Parker Posey once again shows us that she is one of the finest comic actresses alive. And, contrary to what others have said, this is not a one note performance. She is at once obnoxious, brash, funny and fun...and yet, very vulnerable, struggling so hard to be recognized and very terrified of where her life is headed.

I could give similar praise to the performances of Toni Collette, Alanna Ubach and (believe it or not) Lisa Kudrow.

Director Jill Sprecher (I will have to watch more from her) has aimed her dart at office politics: The pecking order, the self-absorption, the pointlessness of it all, the feeling of "Oh, how I would I love to leave this place but where would next month's rent come from?"...and Jill has hit the bullseye!

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 May 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Clockwatchers

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$34,838, 17 May 1998

Gross USA:

$537,948

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$537,948

Company Credits

Production Co:

Goldcrest Films International, John Flock Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color