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IMDbPro

Clockwatchers

  • 19971997
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 1h 36m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
5.6K
YOUR RATING
Parker Posey, Toni Collette, Lisa Kudrow, and Alanna Ubach in Clockwatchers (1997)
Theatrical Trailer from Artistic License
Play trailer1:52
1 Video
78 Photos
  • Comedy
  • Drama
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... Read allThe 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.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.
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
5.6K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Jill Sprecher
  • Writers
    • Jill Sprecher
    • Karen Sprecher
  • Stars
    • Toni Collette
    • Parker Posey
    • Lisa Kudrow
Top credits
  • Director
    • Jill Sprecher
  • Writers
    • Jill Sprecher
    • Karen Sprecher
  • Stars
    • Toni Collette
    • Parker Posey
    • Lisa Kudrow
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 115User reviews
    • 39Critic reviews
    • 64Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 1 nomination

    Videos1

    Clockwatchers
    Trailer 1:52
    Clockwatchers

    Photos78

    Parker Posey, Toni Collette, Lisa Kudrow, and Alanna Ubach in Clockwatchers (1997)
    Parker Posey, Toni Collette, Lisa Kudrow, and Alanna Ubach in Clockwatchers (1997)
    Parker Posey, Toni Collette, Lisa Kudrow, and Alanna Ubach in Clockwatchers (1997)
    Parker Posey, Toni Collette, Lisa Kudrow, and Alanna Ubach in Clockwatchers (1997)
    Parker Posey, Toni Collette, Lisa Kudrow, and Alanna Ubach in Clockwatchers (1997)
    Parker Posey, Toni Collette, Lisa Kudrow, and Alanna Ubach in Clockwatchers (1997)
    Parker Posey, Toni Collette, Lisa Kudrow, and Alanna Ubach in Clockwatchers (1997)
    Parker Posey, Toni Collette, Lisa Kudrow, and Alanna Ubach in Clockwatchers (1997)
    Parker Posey and Toni Collette in Clockwatchers (1997)
    Parker Posey and Toni Collette in Clockwatchers (1997)
    Toni Collette in Clockwatchers (1997)
    Parker Posey in Clockwatchers (1997)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Toni Collette
    Toni Collette
    • Irisas Iris
    Parker Posey
    Parker Posey
    • Margaretas Margaret
    Lisa Kudrow
    Lisa Kudrow
    • Paulaas Paula
    Alanna Ubach
    Alanna Ubach
    • Janeas Jane
    Helen FitzGerald
    • Cleoas Cleo
    Stanley DeSantis
    Stanley DeSantis
    • Artas Art
    Jamie Kennedy
    Jamie Kennedy
    • Eddieas Eddie
    David James Elliott
    David James Elliott
    • Mr. MacNameeas Mr. MacNamee
    Debra Jo Rupp
    Debra Jo Rupp
    • Barbaraas Barbara
    Kevin Cooney
    Kevin Cooney
    • Mr. Kilmeras Mr. Kilmer
    Bob Balaban
    Bob Balaban
    • Milton Laskyas Milton Lasky
    Paul Dooley
    Paul Dooley
    • Bud Chapmanas Bud Chapman
    Scott Mosenson
    Scott Mosenson
    • Jack Shobergas Jack Shoberg
    Irene Olga López
    • Coffee Ladyas Coffee Lady
    • (as Irene Olga Lopez)
    Joshua Malina
    Joshua Malina
    • Global Credit Receptionistas Global Credit Receptionist
    O-Lan Jones
    O-Lan Jones
    • Madame Debbieas Madame Debbie
    Joe Chrest
    Joe Chrest
    • Detectiveas Detective
    Patrice Pitman Quinn
    • Woman in Officeas Woman in Office
    • Director
      • Jill Sprecher
    • Writers
      • Jill Sprecher
      • Karen Sprecher
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Lisa Kudrow postponed her honeymoon to shoot this film
    • Goofs
      When Paula says, "I'm so bad," after bumping into a guy on the bus, her mouth does not match the audio.
    • Quotes

      Margaret: I can sit there and do nothing as good as anyone.

    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Deep Impact/Woo/Clockwatchers/Little Men/Artemisia/In Our Own Hands (1998)
    • Soundtracks
      Snooky's Theme
      Written by Joey Altruda

      Performed by Joey Altruda

      Published by Josho Publishing/Careers-BMG Music Publishing, Inc. (BMI)

      Courtesy of Ocean Park Music Group

    User reviews115

    Review
    Top review
    Sprecher's perceptive, sad slice of reality
    Inappropriately marketed as a comedy, Clockwatchers is actually a sad, almost disturbing slice-of-life concerning the empty lives of four office temps and the realistic and/or idealized ways they seek to escape their individual predicaments. This low-key, purposefully bland drama, with spare touches of humor from Margaret (Parker Posey), is steeped in realism, making it all the sadder.

    Margaret, Paula, and Jane befriend Iris, the central character, at her new temp job. Margaret is loud-mouthed, foul-mouthed, and smart. Paula (Lisa Kudrow) is a young woman with fast-fading beauty, loose morals, and no hope for a future. Jane (Alanna Ubach) is biding her time waiting for her man to marry her and take her away from the temp world. And Iris (Toni Collette) is intelligent but timid. Unlike her new friends, she has the opportunity to score a real job at an interview that her father has lined up for her; however, low self-esteem, shyness, and a new-found friendship with the office girls contribute to her procrastination. Outward, upward mobility seems to scare her.

    One day Iris stares blankly at her empty diary. Her temp job affects her so badly that she can find nothing to write about; she's been turned into a mindless zombie. During a moment of introspection, she thinks, `Sometimes it hits you, how quickly the present fades into the past. And you question everything around you. You wonder if anything you'd ever do would matter, or if you could just disappear without a trace.' Jill and Karen Sprecher's script is punctuated with perceptive, thought provoking lines, many of which comment on the individual's insignificance in society. Early in the film, Margaret comments on how `a person can just drift through life like they're not connected to anyone or anything.' Later, Iris admits that `even if a person wanted to break free, they could find out they've got nowhere else to go.'

    Ultimately, the Sprechers' four-character quasi-study can be applied to everyone, every day. Some characters move on, thus positively changing their lives forever; others, whether out of preference, procrastination, or lack of education, stay put, forever locked in dead-end jobs. At the film's end, Iris realizes that improving her situation can come only from `never hiding, never sitting silently, and never just waiting -- and waiting -- and watching the world go by.' Clockwatchers may be a `small' film with a soft voice, but at least it has something to say.
    helpful•40
    2
    • doktor d
    • Feb 19, 2003

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 15, 1998 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Esperando la hora
    • Filming locations
      • Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Goldcrest Films International
      • John Flock Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $537,948
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $34,838
      • May 17, 1998
    • Gross worldwide
      • $537,948
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 36 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby

    Related news

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    Parker Posey, Toni Collette, Lisa Kudrow, and Alanna Ubach in Clockwatchers (1997)
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