Michael_Elliott
I Really Hate My Job (2007)** (out of 4) Five women find themselves working in a London café but each sees themselves as something other than what they're doing. The three waitresses, the cook and the dishwasher all see themselves as trying to be something (an author, a actress, etc.) they might not ever be. This is about as much art as an art-house film can be so an overwhelming majority are probably going to hate this thing. It never got a wide release in America and that's easy to see why as the subject matter and the way it's delivered really isn't going to draw much attention from viewings wanting more bang for their buck. There's a lot to admire about this film and I respect what they were going for but in the end I have to label it a failure. The film really doesn't have a beginning or an ending as we're pretty much thrown into the lives of these five people as their either falling apart or coming together. We hear them talk about their dreams and we hear them talk about their problems. Since we're dropped in the middle of this stuff we never really get anytime to grow with them and for me I never really cared for any of them. The way the film throws us into their lives was a bit mishandled in my opinion because it's almost like this was a sequel to a film that we'd need to see in order to follow the start of this movie. I know this was obviously the point of the filmmakers but for me it took way too much time to get going and by the time it did get going you were already bored and uninterested in what was going on. The actresses give pretty good performances with Alexandra Maria Lara being the main standout. Neve Campbell plays the actress/waitress and her nude scene probably got more attention than anything else in this film. The film and screenplay does a nice job at giving everyone their own identity and the actresses do what they can with the material but in the end the film isn't a complete success and I doubt many are going to stick with it to the end credits.
Christian
This is a film which many can relate to on many different levels. The first, obviously (and on the surface), is of a handful of people trying to make a higher class restaurant work with an over-taxed staff. Many in the service industry can relate to that--especially (in this case), those working in a restaurant. You have the over-worked cook, the manager who attempts to befriend everyone whilst attempting to keep things running those smoothly, and the others who are trying to make a buck whilst focusing on their primary goals. On another level (that many others, other than restaurant folk, can relate to), it's a story of pursuing your main goals whist trying to make ends meet. Each of these women have a goal (other than working in this nameless restaurant) which they're trying to pursue. Throughout the entire film, they attempt to maintain a delicate balance between staying true to themselves and their goals and achievement, and--keeping the customers happy. On another (similar, yet most important) level, it's a story of doing what you have to do. It's a bittersweet theme. You work hard to get where you want, by means of working a meaningless (and thankless) job to make ends meet whilst pursuing your dreams and goals; and for all anyone knows, you may not even get where you want. Many hopes will be dashed in the meantime, but in the long run, though, you keep on trucking and hope you get what you want.
lem82
The problem with art-house films is that it is a lot like abstract painting. No one has any idea of what is art and what is simply a self defined art. I can come up with a film that reflects my feelings and thoughts and call it an excellent film because i can relate to it and it is reality for me. But, to others this film maybe far from reality and can carry no weight for them. This is so true of this film, i came into it thinking that it would approach the ills of working 9-5. Boy, what a shocker!!!It talks about the ills of being lost women in a world full of lost people,not focusing on anything interesting or real.And with each unnecessary scene comes even more outrageous and unnecessary dialogue which makes for an even more outrageous unnecessary movie. This movie doesn't move, inspire, or even tickle a an arthritic bone. And even so it makes matters worse by parading a naked neve cambell(barf!), and turns into a brief musical to boot. Sorry, but this one takes the cake...no more art-house independents for me, i think i rather got to work for 12 hours than watch this drivel!
filmbuff87
Five restaurant employees take on a night of wild fun and dramatic life crises in a London fine-dining establishment. While not perfect, I Really Hate My Job is hysterical and loquacious. The ensemble cast is vibrant and interesting; you can't help but love them all and find something to relate to. I tried to choose which character was my favorite (or better yet which actress was best) and I just couldn't decide. The whole cast is truly fantastic. Everyone really brought something to the table. The Dishwaher caused my eyes to water with her inane, hysterical dancing and speeches. The Chef (Shirly Henderson) was perfect as a secluded, self-contained, intellectual writer on the verge of cracking. The Waitress (Neve Campbell) was just downright daring in manner, actions, and speech. The Other Waitress (resptively Alexandra Maria Lara) was sweet, perky, and optimistic; I enjoyed her quirky sense of the world and positive suggestions on how to better everyone else's life. The Boss (Anna Maxwell Martin) was great at trying to maintain control while her love life was possibly ending and the business was declining. Another commenter mentioned the potential of this being a great play... I full heartedly agree. The script, story, and actresses are what make this enjoyable.The only drawback, I guess, would be that the ending was inconclusive. All these character problems were introduced and none were solved. Particularly when Abi (Neve) asks her boss about her real name; it's never revealed why the boss changed her name but it is brought up enough times that you are disappointed when they never tell you. Things like that lessened it for me.
AD
