A comedy about the monotony of working as a temp in an office, Clockwatchers has a great cast and all of the quirky desk items and personalities you typically find.
If you have ever worked in an office setting, you know the mind-numbing moments where you are waiting for the clock to tick to the end of the day. Minutes beforehand, you start organizing your bag and getting everything ready so that at the very moment you’re allowed to leave, you can. I remember it clearly, and while some days are (hopefully) more interesting than others, if you know, you know.
Clockwatchers is about four temporary employees who work for a credit company. New temp, shy and unassuming, Iris, doesn’t know anyone, and is given a tour by the loud and sassy, Margaret. She is soon pulled into a friend group with Paula and Jane, and the four get along well. After a few months, a new employee is hired as a permanent secretary, and also, items begin to be stolen from people’s desks.
The cast of this comedy is its strongest area. Starring Parker Posey, Toni Collette, Alanna Ubach, and Lisa Kudrow, every single one of them is enjoyable to watch, brings their own personality to the character, and you are interested in following their story – especially Posey, who shines in every wacky role that she has (if you haven’t watched season 3 of White Lotus, she is phenomenal).
There are a lot of funny little items throughout the movie that you may relate to. One guy has made a huge rubber band ball, another has a mug that shows off a naked woman when you add hot liquid, there are all kinds of collectibles and knick knacks around, and of course, the family photos are framed on desks. All of the staples are present.
A lot of people love this film, and it was specifically recommended to me by a friend, but I couldn’t connect with it. Very little happens and there isn’t really a story – which may be the point. Monotony is the “thing” at an office like this, and particularly if you aren’t employed by the company, you aren’t “in the club.” I get it, but I kept waiting for something to happen. It didn’t.
Overall, Clockwatchers is fine. The actors are fantastic and each of them have developed incredible careers for a reason. This just wasn’t my favorite vehicle. But you may enjoy it much more than I did – lots of people love it!
Runtime: 95 minutes
Motion Picture Rating: PG-13
Languages Spoken In The Film: English
Should You Watch It? Maybe. It wasn’t for me, but many people love it
Did I Cry? Nope
My Rating: 2.5/5 Stars
Available: Free on Tubi and Prime Video or may be available for free on other streaming platforms
If you have ever worked in an office setting, you know the mind-numbing moments where you are waiting for the clock to tick to the end of the day. Minutes beforehand, you start organizing your bag and getting everything ready so that at the very moment you’re allowed to leave, you can. I remember it clearly, and while some days are (hopefully) more interesting than others, if you know, you know.
