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Employee of the Month
"Shift happens..."
Reviewer: Joel
Review date: 16/02/2007
Film genre: Comedy, Romance
Director: Greg Coolidge
Starring: Dane Cook, Dax Shepard, Jessica Simpson, Andy Dick
Predictable attempts at twentysomething comedy and romance are all too common these days with the formulaic structures, stereotypical characters and frat-house humour everyone comes to expect. Greg Coolidge and his team are seemingly well aware of these risks threatening to drown a film as they play on the conventions of the genre by doing exactly what is expected. Dane Cook is the lovable protagonist Zack on a quest to outdo a very good Dax Shepard as the villainous Vince, and end the latter's dreams of achieving the "Employee of the Month" title at a particular Albuquerque, New Mexico store for the record 18th consecutive time. In doing so, he believes the new cashier, Amy (Jessica Simpson), will be his. This last point is rather vague and the inexperienced Coolidge only really hints at the monotony of a supermarket job and having nothing to do as the reasons why Zack goes after Amy, mainly because their first encounter is far from convincing. Other than having a peek at Amy's personal file, Zack starts his month of hell, and the whole point of the film, on a rather weak assertion that the classy girl will just automatically start a relationship with the best worker at Costco. Another writing error which I picked up on was the fact that both Zack and Vince never seem to have any days off whilst trying to attain the all important gold stars!
Belly-laughs are also restricted but are quite amusing when they filter through simply because one realises how hard the wannabe stars are trying. The script was crying out to have contained more adventurous skits like the finale and the jokes could also have been used more effectively and more consistently. For example, certain funny monologues get started but never reach the 'laugh out loud' level we have come to expect from the better films in this genre. Cook and Shepard have a nice rivalry but their respective friends could have been wackier, and this fault is only slightly cancelled out by the weirdness of the boss and his almost Smithers-like assistant. Simpson is poor yet again but is only cast for her attractiveness, and her co-stars had to carry her through every scene.
The summary
Ultimately a bubblegum flick in need of a serious polish to elevate an acceptable concept and its talented male leads.
