Office Space (1999)

Three company workers who hate their jobs decide to rebel against their greedy boss.

Director:

Mike Judge

Writers:

Mike Judge (Milton animated shorts), Mike Judge (screenplay)

Stars:

Ron Livingston, Jennifer Aniston, David Herman

1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ron Livingston	...	Peter
Jennifer Aniston	...	Joanna
David Herman	...	Michael Bolton
Ajay Naidu	...	Samir
Diedrich Bader	...	Lawrence
Stephen Root	...	Milton
Gary Cole	...	Bill Lumbergh
Richard Riehle	...	Tom Smykowski
Alexandra Wentworth	...	Anne
Joe Bays	...	Dom Portwood
John C. McGinley	...	Bob Slydell
Paul Willson	...	Bob Porter
Kinna McInroe	...	Nina
Todd Duffey	...	Chotchkie's Waiter
Greg Pitts	...	Drew

Storyline

In the Initech office, the insecure Peter Gibbons hates his job and the obnoxious Division VP Bill Lumbergh who has just hired two efficiency consultants to downsize the company. His best friends are two software engineers Michael Bolton and Samir Nagheenanajar, that also hate Initech, and his intrusive next door neighbor Lawrence. He believes his girlfriend Anne is cheating on him but she convinces Peter to visit the hypnotherapist Dr. Swanson. Peter tells how miserable his life is and Dr. Swanson hypnotizes him and he goes into a state of ecstasy. However, Dr. Swanson dies immediately after giving the hypnotic suggestion to Peter. Peter, in his new state, starts to date the waitress Joanna and changes his attitude which results in his being promoted by the consultants. When he discovers that Michael and Samir will be downsized, they decide to plant a virus in the banking system to embezzle fraction of cents on each financial operation into Peter's account. However Michael commits a ...

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Plot Keywords:

black comedy | boss | office | computer | corporation | 

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Taglines:

Work Sucks.

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Genres:

Comedy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and brief sexuality

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 February 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

Cubiculos de la oficina

Filming Locations:

Building H, 11209 Metric Blvd, Austin, Texas, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$4,231,727, 21 February 1999

Gross USA:

$10,827,810

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$10,827,810

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox, 3 Arts Entertainment, Cubicle Inc.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Ajay Naidu improvised the moment when he breakdances in Peter's apartment, since he had been breakdancing with friends in his downtime while shooting the film. Paul Willson ad-libbed the "Naga, Naga, not gonna work here anymore" line.

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Goofs

When Peter goes to see Bob and Bob, he walks into the room, and one of the chairs is facing the camera. After he gets himself a glass, he turns around to go sit at the table. All the chairs are facing he table, including the one that was facing the camera, even though it was untouched.

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Quotes

Peter Gibbons: So I was sitting in my cubicle today, and I realized, ever since I started working, every single day of my life has been worse than the day before it. So that means that every single day that you see me, that's on the worst day of my life.
Dr. Swanson: What about today? Is today the worst day of your life?
Peter Gibbons: Yeah.
Dr. Swanson: Wow, that's messed up.

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Crazy Credits

In the opening credits, Michael McShane's name is spelled 'Micheal'.

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Alternate Versions

The theatrical release of the film features the soundtrack in different sequence than the DVD release of the film.

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Connections

Referenced in The Office: Judgement (2001)

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Soundtracks

Coasting
(1996)
Written and Performed by Gary Hoey
Courtesy of Surfdog Records

User Reviews

For all who have worked in cubicles, this flick's for you

As someone who is recently retired from cubicle life in the software business, I have to say this movie hits all the high points. Every nasty, annoying, nonsensical facet of life in the high tech world is lampooned here in a highly intelligent, perceptive and hilarious way, from the grating voice of the secretary answering the phone, to the endless memos on insignificant subjects, to the constant watching your back to see who gets laid off next. They even have the fashions right, as witness the matching tie and suspenders of the boss we all hate. I can see how viewers who have not lived this life might find the movie pointless, but for all of us who have been there, this is a must-see film. Particular mention must be given to the brilliant (I don't use that word often) script, which makes so many subtle points so effectively. I think this is going to go down as one of those "sleeper" classics. I myself had never heard of it until my former boss (herself a victim of the downsizing portrayed so hilariously here, although not so hilarious for her) mentioned it in a meeting. If you love "Dilbert", this is it brought to the screen.