I work in what most would describe as a typical office environment. Fortunately, though, the company’s official colour is a bright shade of green, so there’s some visual stimulant to supplement the lack of windows. It’s the monotonous setting of many movies, namely comedies such as Nine to Five, the cult classic satire Office Space, and recently, the more mentally intricate and quirky Corner Office – which arrives in our pigeonholes this week on DVD and Digital platforms from Eagle Entertainment.
Jon Hamm stars as the unassuming Orson; the newest employer of a non-descript corporation, Authority Inc. Uninspired by his surroundings and colleagues, whom he instantly dislikes, Orson finds an empty office where he’s able to excel, free from the absurdities of corporate life.
Heading off to work each morning often feels like you’re exiting one reality only to enter another. Corner Office perfectly achieves this effect by never showing Orson away from the daily grind. Instead, the movie makes a point to repeatedly show our protagonist arriving at a cold, uniform parking lot, and subsequently, ascending the concert stairs to Authority Inc. – a building that seems to tower endlessly into the sky. It’s a disheartening image that speaks to that pestering feeling of being stuck in a position one does not especially care for.
Orson’s secret space has warmth and character, with elegant wood panelling and comfortable furniture, which is a stark contrast to the office layout he must endure and share, from the dull colours to that one flicking fluorescent light that’s almost causing a seizure. Not only does the room fuel his ambitions but serves as an extension of his delusional superiority over his peers, which presents an interesting paradox. No matter how much Orson manages to achieve, it’s ultimately made abundantly clear that exceptional work will always be second to conformity, which was likely the cause of his arrogant attitude in the first place.
Jon Hamm’s restrained performance is a night-and-day comparison to his recent outing as a right-wing sheriff in the latest season of Fargo. He’s a non-threatening every-man, yet he’s quite imposing during reprimands of his co-worker, Rakesh (Danny Pudi) while their manager played by Christopher Heyerdahl is almost reptilian with his polite assertiveness.
Corner Officer has that unmistakable short film quality, which makes sense considering the background of director, Joachim Back, who won the Oscar for Best Live Action Short in 2010 for The New Tenants. Although the fact that Back sustains the idea for over 90 minutes is impressive, I think shaving off 10-15 minutes would have allowed for a tighter pace as there are a few small scenes that tend to linger. Much of the comedy comes from the film’s off-kilter nature and reactionary responses to Orson’s odd behaviour. There’s much to ponder over and also relate to, and the good thing is, that personal dissatisfactions with your own work life will not get in the way of your enjoyment.
CORNER OFFICE
(2022, director: Joachim Back)
★★★½
CORNER OFFICE will be available from May 8th on DVD through Eagle Entertainment, and Digital platforms including APPLE TV, PRIME VIDEO, and GOOGLE PLAY
stills courtesy of Walkden Entertainment
