A review of Office Space with Milton

This is a brief review of Office Space. The plot and uses of satire shall be discussed. This film has been cited by Ricky Gervais as one of his inspirations for his hit television series The Office.

The plot

Peter Gibbons is a disgruntled employee who works for a programming firm called Initech. The film takes place during a period when Initech is downsizing. The executives responsible fore this are known as the two Bob's. Before Peter meets these two executives, he attends a hypnotherapy session in an attempt to bring him out of his depression. However, things go wrong. While Peter is in his relaxed state, the hypnotherapist suddenly dies, leaving Peter in this state permanently. Peter ignores his girlfriends calls and she leaves him. Peter asks out a waitress called Joanna, played by Jennifer Aniston. Peter arrives at work late and tries to get fired. In his meeting with the two Bob's he highlights bluntly what is wrong with the office. Despite his poor record as an employee they promote him. However Peter's friends Michael and Samir are downsized. Peter, Michael and Samir resolve to rob Initech using a computer virus. However, things go wrong again when a problem with the virus means they take more than they intended to. After Peter talks with Joanna, he decides to take the blame for the theft, writes a letter and leaves it under his overbearing bosses door overnight. He is luckily saved as this night another employee, Milton who has finally had enough of his treatment by management, the last straw being deprived of his red stapler, burns down the office and taking the money. All evidence of the crime are now gone. Peter eventually gets a job he likes working outside in construction. Samir and Michael get jobs at a rival company and Milton is shown living in Mexico.

The Satire

The film portrays what is like to work in an American office and at times how farcical it can be. A prime example is Peter who highlights to the two executives a major problem is over-management and as a result gets promoted. Another example is the character Milton. He represents how dire employees can be treated and how their opinions and feelings just do not matter. It develops that he was fired decades ago but due to a computer error, he continues to receive pay checks. The de-personalisation of employees is best evident through him, he was even moved down to the basement despite his inaudible protests. Milton had actually threatened to burn down the office many times but nobody suspects him when he finally does it. This is a must buy top 20 DVD.