Writer: Don Calame, Chris Conroy, Greg Coolidge (Screenplay) Don Calame, Chris Conroy (Story)
Starring: Dane Cook, Jessica Simpson, Dax Shepard, Andy Dick, Tim Bagley, Brian George, Efren Ramirez
Plot: A slacker competes with a repeat winner for the “Employee of the Month” title at work, in order to gain the affections of a new female employee.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Personal Favourite Comedy
Story: Employee of the Month starts by introducing us to Zack (Cook) a serial slacker at a warehouse called Super Club where he goes about his day and is friends with all the staff doing as little work as possible. He doesn’t like the golden employee Vince (Shepard) who always wins Employee of the Month, the two constantly clash.
When a new beautiful employee Amy (Simpson) starts Zack finds out that she only dates the Employee of the Months which puts him into a competition against Vince for not only Employee of the Month but the girl.
Employee of the Month will always go down as a personal favorite for myself, mainly because I have worked in a warehouse similar to the characters, I know these type of characters. I liked how we got to see the change in the Zack when he starts being successful at work leaving his friends in his shadows showing a very selfish side. The romantic angle does take a backburner to the competition side of the story which I think helps because it makes the love side feel more realistic rather than forced. Saying all this you know where it is going by the end of the film but it is all a good fun film.
Actor Review
Dane Cook: Zack is our slacker who has got just getting by at work down to an art form, when he meets the new girl he learns that she only dates the Employee of the Month leading to him improving his work but pushing his friends away, the change in his character as the story unfolds is brilliant as it shows how you should never turn you back on the people that stand by you. Dane gives us a good performance in what could be his highlight of his acting career to date.
Jessica Simpson: Amy is the new employee that grabs the attention of opposite workers Zack and Vince, she gives them both a chance to be a decent guy even though it is clear she has more in common with Zack, she lets the boys fight it out before we learn the truth about her past. Jessica does a good job in this role and is one of her better performances.
Dax Shepard: Vince is the golden employee who has won the award for 17 months straight, he thinks he has it in the bag for a recorded breaking 18 but when Zack starts competing against him he brings out the dirty tactics. Dax gives us a good comical villain performance you would expect though.
Support Cast: Employee of the Month has a supporting cast that includes all of the friends of Zack that he changes through the film, along with the boss which add laughs and Vince’s assistant who also gives good laughs.
Director Review: Greg Coolidge – Greg gives us a good comedy that shows what it is like working in a warehouse conditions.
Comedy: Employee of the Month has good laughs throughout which I enjoy from previous work in similar workplace.
Romance: Employee of the Month lets the romantic side of the story take the backburner through the film.
Settings: Employee of the Month has a setting that I love because not only does it relate to somewhere I know but it also shows everyday characters grinding out living.
Suggestion: Employee of the Month is one to try, I enjoy this but I can see why people wouldn’t enjoy it. (Try It)
Best Part: Zack’s first date.
Worst Part: Romantic angle doesn’t get used enough.
Funniest Scene: Jorge practicing being a till operator.
Believability: You can see this rivalry being real but what happens not so.
Chances of Tears: No
Chances of Sequel: No
Post Credits Scene: No
Oscar Chances: No
Box Office: $28.5 Million
Budget: $12 Million
Runtime: 1 Hour 43 Minutes
Overall: Laugh filled comedy
Rating