Your party may have been even sillier than this one.
Office Christmas Party
Grade: B-
Directors: Josh Gordon (Blades of Glory), Will Speck (The Switch)
Screenplay: Justin Malen, Laura Solon
Cast: Jennifer Anniston (Horrible Bosses), Jason Bateman (Juno)
Rating: R
Runtime: 105 min.
by John DeSando
“What I don’t like about office Christmas parties is looking for a job the next day.” Phyllis Diller
Although not all Christmas parties are a total disaster, the one in Office Christmas Party is only less so, with a destroyed office complex and a few relationships favorably grown. The film is goofy some of the time—we need to see a bare butt on the Xerox machine once, not several times—and rather touching at another—fighting brother and sister corporate heads come to understand each other’s strengths.
The survival of the tech company managed by Josh (Jason Bateman) depends on the finesse of branch owner, Clay (T.J. Miller), and the good will of his sister and acting CEO, Carol (Jennifer Aniston). Needless to say, the formula for the screwball comedy calls for disaster before redemption, and this party is no different.
The first part before the party has some witty repartee, especially between Josh and his office mate and underling, Tracey (Olivia Munn). Include in the slightly witty category is Kate McKinnon’s uptight HR head, Mary. What happens eventually to all the partiers you can easily guess, but along the way are some humor and some tender moments.
After the silly shenanigans and sentimental chapters, Office Christmas Party emphasizes the collaborative and caring atmosphere necessary for any corporation to thrive.
“The office Christmas Party is a great way to catch up with people you haven’t seen for 30 minutes.” Popular Saying
John DeSando, a Los Angeles Press Club first-place winner for National Entertainment Journalism, hosts WCBE’s It’s Movie Time and co-hosts Cinema Classics. Contact him at JDeSando@Columbus.rr.com
