Orson (Jon Hamm) is a new employee at The Authority Inc. On a snowy morning, he parks his car and begins his first day, hoping for great things ahead. Walking through the front door, he feels at peace, as if he has come to the right place. Through narration, we discover Orson’s goal: to climb the ladder to a leadership position and unlock his full potential.
In his workplace, Orson follows a strict schedule of fifty-five minutes of work without interruption and the reward of a five-minute break. He repeats this process throughout each day. Orson shares his desk with his colleague Rakesh (Danny Pudi), which Orson does not appreciate for a few reasons. Firstly, on occasion, Rakesh wears an ugly jacket. Secondly, Rakesh is known for working in a disorganised environment, and his paperwork often lands on Orson’s desk by mistake.
One day at work, Orson takes a toilet break and notices an unfamiliar door. Curious, he opens it and finds a dark and musty room. He thinks nothing of it and walks away. Later, when he needs blank paper, he hesitates to ask anyone where the paper may be as he feels it’s a sign of weakness. He remembers the room he discovered earlier and decides to explore it. Upon turning on the light switch, Orson finds a beautiful office. He starts visiting the office frequently as it boosts his self-confidence and helps with his work. However, the problem is that he is the only one aware of this luxury office.
Corner Office is a comedy film directed by Joachim Back and is his feature-length debut. The movie is based on the novel The Room by Swedish author Jonas Karlsson, which was released in 2015. This dark comedy may not be everyone’s cup of coffee, but it’s worth watching if you appreciate a good laugh. The jokes in this film are ridiculous, silly, and perhaps stupid, but they are also clever and witty.
The lead actor, Jon Hamm, who plays the character Orson, delivers some of the best jokes in the film, mainly when he narrates his inner thoughts. Orson is a character who is determined to be great, but he often belittles others and comes across as arrogant and cocky. We hear everything, including his cocky opinions on his co-workers’ fashion style and work ethic and his reaction to being forced to wear shoe covers to protect the office carpet. This film differs from Jon Hamm’s previous work and is worth watching for his performance alone.
While viewing, I couldn’t help but wonder how Orsen’s career would go at The Authority Inc. Would he be able to achieve his lifelong dream, or would he fail drastically? Another intriguing element that caught my attention was Orsen’s discovery of the stunning office. Is it real or just a figment of his imagination? Or does it hold a hidden meaning? While the film provides some significant reveals and a conclusion, I believe some viewers will be left craving more details or a more conclusive ending. The visuals in this story are a strong point. The office designs, costumes and settings successfully capture the essence of an unattractive office lifestyle. While somewhat repetitive, the camera work is sharp, clear, and smooth, and the film’s score by Frans Bak and Keld Haaning Ibsen fits well. The mix of characters about Orson also adds to the comedic tone, mainly when they interact with Orson and attempt to interpret his behaviour.
Overall, Corner Office is a dark comedy filled with ridiculousness and painful gags. However, the playful narration and the unique performance by actor Jon Hamm make this film immensely enjoyable, despite all the unexplained quirkiness and silly moments that come with it. The film introduces an odd mystery, and while it has an acceptable conclusion, some viewers might be left wanting more information. Thanks to director Joachim Back, these visuals are a significant aspect of the story, perfectly capturing the atmosphere of a painful office environment. Although Corner Office may not be a pleasing experience for all who watch it, I chuckled plenty, and the vague, mysterious storyline kept me invested and deeply curious. In conclusion, it’s worth a watch!
Corner Office (2022) is Available on DVD & Digital from May 8th!
5.3/10
6th May 2024
Written by Peter Walkden
Walkden Entertainment Podcasts Are Now Available!
0 Comments