Sorry to Bother You (2018)

In an alternate present-day version of Oakland, telemarketer Cassius Green discovers a magical key to professional success, propelling him into a universe of greed.

Director:

Boots Riley

Writer:

Boots Riley

Stars:

LaKeith Stanfield, Tessa Thompson, Jermaine Fowler

19 wins & 53 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
LaKeith Stanfield	...	Cassius Green (as Lakeith Stanfield)
Tessa Thompson	...	Detroit
Jermaine Fowler	...	Salvador
Omari Hardwick	...	Mr. _______
Terry Crews	...	Sergio
Kate Berlant	...	Diana DeBauchery
Michael X. Sommers	...	Johnny
Danny Glover	...	Langston
Steven Yeun	...	Squeeze
Armie Hammer	...	Steve Lift
Robert Longstreet	...	Anderson
David Cross	...	Cassius's White Voice (voice)
Patton Oswalt	...	Mr. _______'s White Voice (voice)
Lily James	...	Detroit's White British Voice (voice)
Forest Whitaker	...	First Equisapien / Demarius

Storyline

In an alternate version of Oakland, Cassius Green gets a telemarketing job and finds the commission paid job a dispiriting struggle as a black man selling to predominately white people over the phone. That changes when a veteran advises him to use his "white voice," and the attitude behind it to make himself more appealing to customers. With a bizarrely high-pitched accent, Cassius becomes a success even as his colleagues form a union to improve their miserable jobs. Regardless, Cassius finds himself promoted a "Power Caller" selling the most morally abhorrent but lucrative products and services as his connection to his girlfriend and colleagues fades away. However, Cassius' conscience arises anew as he finds himself in the midst of his boss' bizarre world of condescending bigoted decadence and his sinister plans to create the perfect subservient work force with Cassius' help.

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Plot Keywords:

absurdism | oakland california | telemarketing | slave labor | social satire | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Fantasy | Sci-Fi

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for pervasive language, some strong sexual content, graphic nudity, and drug use

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 July 2018 (USA)

Also Known As:

Sorry to Bother You

Filming Locations:

Oakland, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$3,200,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$727,266, 8 July 2018

Gross USA:

$17,493,096

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$18,170,707

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cinereach, Forest Whitaker's Significant Productions, MACRO

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Director Boots Riley wanted to credit the claymation film within the film to Michel Gondry as a tribute to the director. Because the film was a parody he didn't legally have to clear the use of Gondry's name, but decided to reach out to him anyway to make sure he was comfortable with the homage. Gondry wanted stipulations put on the use of his name and after Riley agreed he receive a message from Gondry's agents denying him permission to use his name anyway. Riley then changed the name of the director to Michel Dongry as an insult to express his frustration with him and announced he would continue insulting him in future movies until Gondry responded.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Anderson: So it says here that you were manager of the Rusty Scupper restaurant for five years. And then a bank teller at Bank of Oakland between 2014 to 2016. Oh, and you were employee of the month! What's that trophy in the bag there?
Cassius Green: Oh, Oakland High moot court champion. I'm a salesman at heart.
Anderson: *That* is intriguing. Mainly because I was the branch manager at the Bank of Oakland between 2014 and 2016, and you, Mr. Green, you never fucking worked there.

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Connections

References Pinocchio (1940)

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Soundtracks

Monsoon
Written by Boots Riley, Michael Aaberg, and Damion Gallegos
Performed by The Coup

User Reviews

Get off your high horse.

People are complaining about the third act but I'm sure they loved Get Out which also has themes which were just as absurd. As long as you go in understanding that, just as the movie is listed, this is a Comedy/Fantasy then you'll be ok. If that's not your cup of tea then you should probably move on. But again, if you liked Get Out and how ridiculous some of the story was in that then you'll probably like this too.