- Actors: Toni Collette, Parker Posey, Lisa Kudrow, Alanna Ubach, Helen FitzGerald
- Directors: Jill Sprecher
- Writers: Jill Sprecher, Karen Sprecher
- Producers: Gina Resnick, Guy Collins, John Flock, John Quested, Karen Sprecher
- Format: NTSC
- Language: English
- Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
- Number of discs: 1
- MPAA Rating:
- Studio: Fox Lorber/Vid Can.
- Release Date: Jan 11 2000
- Run Time: 96 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B000034DDN
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #48,414 in DVD (See Top 100 in DVD)
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
Unique satire
Feb 13 2000
Format:VHS Tape
"Clockwatchers" is not just a comedy about bitter temps, in actuality, it's a satire about people's lives and how they can be totally crushed under the oppression of the work force. It's a film that exposes, with no mercy, the tedious, soul-draining routine that workers, especially temps, go through every day, and how they can feel totally trapped, with no chance at freedom. Sure, it's wickedly funny in it's observations of soulless companies and their rules and policies, but beneath it lies a bleak look at how people can totally lose their identity when devoted to their job, when everything always boils down to pleasing others and maintaining a decent salary. Like Parker Posey's character says in one scene, "I feel like I'm floating, with no connection to the outside world". The actresses in "Clockwatchers" are great, they all express their characters perfectly, especially during the second half of the movie, when all of their friendships crumble. The transformation of Toni Collette's character is chilling, especially at the end. The only thing that bothered me were the last twenty minutes, they dragged on, focusing on a plotline that didn't need to be explored. However, "Clockwatchers" is definitely worth watching, a perceptively funny and depressingly honest film.
Satire on Temp Hell
April 25 2004
Format:DVD
Clockwatchers is a movie about four office temps who work at a dreary, mind numbing assignment. The temps are basically treated like the scum off the earth. They bond but then are sadly drawn apart.
If you have ever temped or even worked at a boring office job, you will probably laugh and nod your head at some of its humor. It captures the craziness better than some of the more recent office comedies like Office Space. It's not for everyone and is very unusual film. It's not a "laugh out loud" comedy. The characters are a sad set and the humor is subtle and may be go "over the head" for some non-temps. It is not pretty either. The set design is gray and depressing. Have heard some people call it boring. Temping is boring. In other words, it is a lot like like temping.
I am so glad someone made this movie. Can't believe it got made, but am glad. It is a story that needed to be told. As someone who used to temp, it brought back a lot of memories. I knew people like these characters. People who stayed in these jobs because they lacked the confidence or education to change jobs.
Being Hollywood, they exaggerate a bit, but get much of it right. Temping is one of the biggest scams the business world has ever created. I was disappointed that they did not explore in detail some of the other problems with temping, like the relationship between the temp and the agency. There is some satire there, trust me. As a temp, you basically forfeit basic worker's rights. Little or no benefits, no sick time, no "wrongful" termination, never knowing if you will even have a job tomorrow, doing all sorts of busy work to keep your job. I suggest that anyone who "wants" to temp see this film and run like hell.
Funny, yet can hit a little close to home
Jan 12 2003
Format:DVD
As someone who has been both a "perm" and a "temp," I find much in "Clockwatchers" to be completely truthful. Where "Office Space" (a movie I also loved) offered a cathartic revenge fantasy, "Clockwatchers" dares to tell it like it is -- that dead-end jobs really have no way out or up -- even if it is dreary and depressing.
There is humor, but rather than the cartoonish humor of "Office Space," "Clockwatchers" shows the ridiculous in little everyday workplace happenings: playing with the adjustment mechanisms on your chair, popping sheets of bubble wrap, or using Liquid Paper as nail polish.
The weird combination of emotions that these temps go through -- hopelessness and ambition, despair and frivolity, anger mixed with s**t-eating grins -- are extremely realistic and something that those in a similar work situation can probably easily relate to. The performances are outstanding, especially Toni Collette and Parker Posey.
Highly recommended!
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Most recent customer reviews
Small Movie, Big Kudos
I liked this film a lot. Besides the fact that I like to support smaller, independent films (especially since this one features a lot of women in front of and behind the scenes),... Read more
Published on Nov 8 2002 by Matt Howe
One of indie comedy's biggest downers.
This film is bizarrely uneven. What seems like a reasonably straight-forward comedy (albeit a pretty subdued one) gradually gives way to a depressing portrait of displacement in... Read more
Published on Oct 30 2002 by C. Burkhalter
Subtle and brilliant
As another movie might have brought to life the sounds, sights and smells of some exotic location, this one evokes the endless gray carpet, xerox fumes, and soft shuffling paper... Read more
Published on May 5 2002 by Maries
A MUST SEE!
Clockwatchers is a terrific film that will appeal to anyone who has ever had a job s/he hated, especially if it involved working in an office setting. Read more
Published on Feb 11 2002 by Jimmy Flowers
I agree!
I agree with everyone! Parker Posey is great! So is Toni Colette! So is Lisa Kudrow! What great ensemble acting! I love this movie. IT IS SO REAL! But it's more than that. Read more
Published on Feb 11 2002 by inframan
I'd give this six stars if I could
When I asked for this for Xmas, my brother was convinced he had mis-heard me and was either asking for "Clockers" or "A Clockwork Orange".... Read more
Published on Jan 28 2002 by M. G Watson
Hilarious cast and unique plot makes for a great film
If you liked Muriel's Wedding, Office Space, Waiting for Guffman, Dog Show or just like Lisa Kudrow, you'll find something in this film to appreciate. Read more
Published on Jan 28 2002 by "lore4444"
Toni Collette and Parker Posey are Sublime
A dark comic expose on the control tactics used by the corporate workplace to break a person's spirit. It could also be public school grades 6-12. Read more
Published on Jan 22 2002 by KSG
Parker Posey was Brilliant!
Toni Collette & Parker Posey made this movie! Esp. Parker Posey!! I need to find more movies w/ her as the star! Read more
Published on Jun 20 2001 by Lois
Perfect Posey
There is a scene in "Clockwatchers" where Parker Posey sprays breath freshener into the flame of a lighter, scratches her nose, and says to her coworker how hard it is to... Read more
Published on April 30 2001 by Todd Campbell
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