Office life, with its unique culture, camaraderies, rivalries, and daily grind, has long been a fruitful setting for filmmakers. From biting satires to inspirational dramas and quirky comedies, films about office life explore the dynamics between colleagues, the often absurd nature of corporate hierarchies, and the personal growth that can happen within the walls of cubicles and boardrooms. These films offer a mirror to our own work experiences, amplifying the humor, the frustrations, and sometimes the inspiration we find in our professional lives.
“The Apartment”, 1960
Director: Billy Wilder
A romantic comedy-drama by Billy Wilder, it tells the story of a low-ranking office worker who tries to climb the corporate ladder by letting his apartment be used by his superiors for trysts. The movie explores themes of morality, ambition, and love within the context of office politics and corporate culture of the 1960s.
Starring: Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine, Fred MacMurray, Ray Walston, Jack Kruschen, David Lewis, Hope Holiday, Joan Shawlee, Naomi Stevens, Johnny Seven;
Production year: 1960;
Genre: drama, melodrama, comedy;
Age: 16+;
Duration: 125 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,3;
More information about the film “The Apartment” on the website imdb.com
“9 to 5”, 1982
Director: Gary Shimokawa, Doug Rogers, Burt Brinckerhoff, Phil Ramuno
A comedy starring Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Dolly Parton as three working women who, fed up with their sexist and egotistical boss, concoct a plan to get even. The film is a humorous yet insightful commentary on the treatment of women in the workplace, speaking to the broader issues of gender inequality.
Starring: Rachel Dennison, Valerie Curtin, Sally Struthers, Edward Winter, Rita Moreno, Peter Bonerz, Jean Marsh, Peter Evans, Fred Applegate, Art Evans;
Production year: 1982;
Genre: comedy;
Rating: IMDB: 6,2;
More information about the film “9 to 5” on the website imdb.com
“The Social Network”, 2010
Director: David Fincher
Directed by David Fincher, this drama tells the story of the founding of Facebook, delving into the complexities of startup culture and the tumultuous relationships between the founders. While not a traditional office setting, the film explores the modern workspace's dynamics and the impact of ambition and betrayal.
Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, Armie Hammer, Max Minghella, Rashida Jones, Brenda Song, Rooney Mara, Bryan Barter, Joseph Mazzello;
Production year: 2010;
Genre: drama, biography;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 120 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,8;
More information about the film “The Social Network” on the website imdb.com
“The Devil Wears Prada”, 2006
Director: David Frankel
A comedy-drama that provides a peek into the high-pressure world of fashion publishing. Anne Hathaway stars as a young woman who lands a job as an assistant to the demanding editor-in-chief of a top fashion magazine, played by Meryl Streep. The film explores the challenges of adapting to a demanding workplace culture and the sacrifices required to succeed.
Starring: Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, Stanley Tucci, Simon Baker, Adrian Grenier, Tracie Thoms, Rich Sommer, Daniel Sunjata, David Marshall Grant;
Production year: 2006;
Genre: drama, comedy;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 109 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,9;
More information about the film “The Devil Wears Prada” on the website imdb.com
“Up in the Air”, 2009
Director: Jason Reitman
Starring George Clooney as a corporate “downsizer” who travels across the United States to conduct layoffs, this drama-comedy explores themes of job loss, the value of human connections, and the modern workplace's impersonal nature.
Starring: George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick, Jason Bateman, Amy Morton, Melanie Lynskey, J.K. Simmons, Sam Elliott, Danny McBride, Zach Galifianakis;
Production year: 2009;
Genre: drama, melodrama, comedy;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 109 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
More information about the film “Up in the Air” on the website imdb.com
“Horrible Bosses”, 2011
Director: Seth Gordon
A dark comedy about three friends who decide that the only way to improve their lives is to kill each other's unbearable employers. The film humorously tackles the fantasy of getting back at a despotic boss while highlighting the extreme lengths to which employees are pushed in toxic work environments.
Starring: Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, Jason Sudeikis, Kevin Spacey, Jennifer Aniston, Colin Farrell, Jamie Foxx, Julie Bowen, Lindsay Sloane, P.J. Byrne;
Production year: 2011;
Genre: comedy, crime;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 98 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,9;
More information about the film “Horrible Bosses” on the website imdb.com
These films, reflecting various genres and eras, all share a focus on the intrigues of office life, showcasing how the workplace can shape, challenge, and sometimes even amuse us.
In conclusion, films about office life give us a multifaceted view of the complexities, mundanities, and unexpected hilarities of workplace culture. Through diverse cinematic lenses, ranging from the satirical edges of “Office Space” to the emotional depths of “The Apartment,” we are taken on journeys that resonate with our own professional experiences, or lack thereof. These films serve not only as a form of escapism but also as a mirror reflecting the absurdities, pressures, and camaraderie that come with office environments. By dissecting the dynamics of power, ambition, and human connection within the confines of cubicles and boardrooms, such movies offer not just entertainment but a deeper understanding of the social fabric that defines our working lives. Through laughter, tears, and moments of introspection, films about office life remind us of the shared humanity in our daily grind, making them an enduring and essential part of film history.
