Office Space (1999)

Director:

Mike Judge

Writers (WGA):

Mike Judge (Milton animated shorts)
Mike Judge (screenplay)

Release Date:

19 February 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Crime | Romance

Tagline:

Work Sucks.

Plot:

Comedic tale of company workers who hate their jobs and decide to rebel against their greedy boss.

Plot Keywords:

Neighbor | Downsizing | Computer | Boss | Jealousy

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

Ron Livingston	...	Peter Gibbons
Jennifer Aniston	...	Joanna
David Herman	...	Michael Bolton
Ajay Naidu	...	Samir
Diedrich Bader	...	Lawrence
Stephen Root	...	Milton Waddams
Gary Cole	...	Bill Lumbergh
Richard Riehle	...	Tom Smykowski
Alexandra Wentworth	...	Anne
Joe Bays	...	Dom Portwood
John C. McGinley	...	Bob Slydell
Paul Willson	...	Bob Porter
Kinna McInroe	...	Nina
Todd Duffey	...	Brian - Chotchkie's Waiter
Greg Pitts	...	Drew
Michael McShane	...	Dr. Swanson (as Micheal McShane)
Linda Wakeman	...	Laura Smykowski
Jennifer Jane Emerson	...	Female Temp
Kyle Scott Jackson	...	Rob Newhouse - Smykowski's Lawyer
Orlando Jones	...	Steve - Magazine Salesman
Barbara George-Reiss	...	Peggy - Lumbergh's Secretary
Tom Schuster	...	Construction Foreman
Rupert Reyes	...	Mexican Waiter (as Ruperto Reyes Jr.)
Jackie Belvin	...	Swanson's Patient #1
Gabriel Folse	...	Swanson's Patient #2
Jesse De Luna	...	Cop at Fire
Mike Judge	...	Stan - Chotchkie's Manager (as William King)
Justin Possenti	...	Spectator
Jack Betts	...	Judge
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Charissa Allen	...	Jogger (uncredited)
Bob Crain	...	Sleepy office worker (uncredited)
Natalie Denning	...	Initech Employee (uncredited)
Sammy Harte	...	Initech Employee (uncredited)
Mark Kubiak	...	Initech Employee (uncredited)
K. Todd Lytle	...	Rush Hour Driver (uncredited)
David Sharp	...	Rush Hour Driver (uncredited)

Directed by
Mike Judge

Writing credits (WGA)
Mike Judge		(Milton animated shorts)
Mike Judge		(screenplay)

Produced by
Daniel Rappaport	....	producer
Guy Riedel	....	executive producer
Michael Rotenberg	....	producer
Mike Judge	....	producer (uncredited)

Original Music by
John Frizzell

Cinematography by
Tim Suhrstedt		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
David Rennie

Casting by
Nancy Klopper

Production Design by
Edward T. McAvoy		(as Edward McAvoy)

Art Direction by
Adele Plauche

Set Decoration by
Carla Curry

Costume Design by
Melinda Eshelman

Makeup Department
Felicity Bowring	....	key makeup artist
Bonnie Clevering	....	key hair stylist
Melissa Forney	....	additional hair stylist
Kalen Hoyle	....	additional makeup artist
Julie Janes	....	assistant hair stylist
Shelley Tanner	....	assistant makeup artist

Production Management
Udi Nedivi	....	unit production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Christina Fong	....	second assistant director
Phil Hardage	....	second second assistant director (as Philip Hardage)
Rip Murray	....	first assistant director (as James W. 'Rip' Murray Jr.)

Art Department
Michael Bayer	....	set dresser
Kevin Berve	....	additional props
Randy Bilski	....	propmaker
Chris Buchinsky	....	storyboard illustrator
John V. Burson	....	construction coordinator
Tom Christopher	....	lead man
Brian Cross	....	propmaker
April Crump	....	set dresser (as April L. Crump)
Marc Dabrusin	....	set dresser
Travis Dean	....	propmaker
Bill Dunagin	....	propmaker
Stanford Gilbert	....	property master (as Stanford S. Gilbert)
Austin Gorg	....	graphic artist
Donald Gross	....	property maker (as Don Gross)
Kelley A. Hankins	....	painter
Joseph Hendrix	....	greensman
Joseph D. Hendrix	....	propmaker
Roy G. Huth	....	set dresser
Thomas V. Johnson	....	painter (as Thomas Johnson)
Melinda Pharr	....	buyer
DeLayne Rasmussen	....	construction accountant (as Delayne Barnett)
Virle S. Reid	....	additional props
Jerry Riddles	....	propmaker
Felix Rosales III	....	laborer
E. Colleen Saro	....	on-set dresser
Steve Sawhill	....	set dresser
Charles Seale	....	laborer
Coridon Steele	....	construction foreman
Paul Steele	....	laborer
Ric Trzeciak	....	assistant property master
Ronnie White	....	shop foreman
Phillip Williams	....	labor foreman
Jeri Woodward	....	paint foreman (as Jeri Lowe)
Randal Woodward	....	lead scenic
Terri Wright	....	buyer (as Terri L. Wright)
Bob 'Boom Boom' Zaborski	....	propmaker

Sound Department
Michael Axinn	....	assistant sound editor
Christopher Barrick	....	sound re-recordist (as Christopher 'Bear' Barrick)
Chris Barron	....	digital audio transferer
Karen Brocco	....	supervising assistant sound editor (as Karen A. Brocco)
Stacy Brownrigg	....	sound mixer (as Stacy F. Brownrigg)
Tony Eckert	....	foley mixer
Stan Ginsel	....	sound transferer
Jonathan Greber	....	transfer supervisor
Bruce Lacey	....	adr editor
David Lucarelli	....	adr recordist
Frank 'Pepe' Merel	....	foley recordist
Tom Myers	....	sound re-recording mixer
Jonathan Null	....	dialogue editor
Larry Oatfield	....	sound effects editor (as E. Larry Oatfield)
Brandon Proctor	....	machine room operator
Charleen Richards	....	adr mixer
Gary Rizzo	....	sound re-recording mixer (as Gary A. Rizzo)
Steve Romanko	....	machine room operator
Ronald G. Roumas	....	machine room supervisor
Brooke Satrazemis	....	cable person
Larry Schalit	....	adr editor
Jurgen Scharpf	....	sound mix technician
Dee Selby	....	digital audio transferer
Michael Semanick	....	sound re-recording mixer
Robert Shoup	....	supervising sound editor
David A. Smith	....	boom operator (as David Allen Smith)
Dennie Thorpe	....	foley artist
Jana Vance	....	foley artist
Joan Malloch	....	digital audio transferer (uncredited)
Philip Rogers	....	sound recordist (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Robert Calvert	....	special effects (as Bob Calvert)
Steve Dearth	....	special effects
Paul J. Lombardi	....	special effects coordinator (as Paul Lombardi)
Rick Peterson	....	special effects
Shane Scott	....	special effects technician (uncredited)

Visual Effects by
Robert W. Morgenroth	....	video effects supervisor: E=mc² Inc. (as Bob Morgenroth)
Paul Le Blanc	....	CGI supervisor (uncredited)
Reid Paul	....	digital artist (uncredited)

Stunts
Rob King	....	stunt coordinator
Eric Norris	....	stunts
Don Pike	....	stunts
Gary Pike	....	stunts (as Gary T. Pike)

Camera and Electrical Department
Jeff Andrus	....	company grip
Marc Andrus	....	key grip
Abby Antweil	....	electrician
Arthur Blum	....	dolly grip
Jose F. Cruz	....	electrician
Debra Dotts-Sladek	....	second assistant camera (as Debra Dotts Sladek)
Paul V. Ferrazzi	....	first assistant camera (as Paul 'Cancun' Ferrazzi)
Bob Field	....	gaffer
Kory Funk	....	electrician
Robert Hicks	....	company grip (as Rob Hicks)
Emily Pedraza Hudson	....	camera loader
Key Kolb	....	best boy grip (as Key Kolb III)
James 'Buz' Maloy	....	company grip (as Buz Maloy)
Mark Mims	....	electrician
Richard Nance	....	company grip
Charles Papert	....	camera operator
Gabe Proctor	....	video assist operator
Van Redin	....	still photographer
Wally Rowell	....	electrician
Troy Sneed	....	electrician
Jason B. Thorpe	....	company grip
Tim Travis	....	electrician
Troy Webb	....	best boy electric (as Troy D. Webb)
Sean Wright	....	company grip (as Sean R. Wright)

Casting Department
Laura C. Auldridge	....	casting assistant: Texas
Jo Edna Boldin	....	casting: Texas
Kira Burns	....	extras casting assistant
Hillary Sachs	....	casting associate
Beth Sepko	....	extras casting
Elana Wakeman	....	extras casting assistant

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Alix Friedberg	....	assistant costume designer
Kimmie Furlong	....	set costumer
Lee Hunsaker	....	set costumer
Janice Janacek	....	costume supervisor

Editorial Department
Damon Botsford	....	post-production assistant
Aaron Brock	....	apprentice editor
Gary Burritt	....	negative cutter
Kim Jorgensen	....	apprentice editor
Cherie King	....	assistant editor
Eric A. Lewy	....	first assistant editor
Dennis McNeill	....	color timer
Myra A. Minchew	....	editorial intern
Warren Paeff	....	associate editor
Elizabeth Peters	....	assistant editor: avid
Kathy Thomson	....	digital colorist
Kurt Leitner	....	post-production coordinator (uncredited)

Music Department
Heidi Arnold	....	assistant music editor
Allen Dameron	....	conductor: orchestra
Simon James	....	orchestra contractor
Andrew Kinney	....	orchestrator
Micha Liberman	....	score coordinator
Micha Liberman	....	score recordist
Gabriel Mann	....	featured vocalist (as Gabe Rutman)
Robert Puff	....	music preparation
Reed Ruddy	....	score recordist
Abby Treloggen	....	music editor
Rick Winquest	....	score mixer
Jay B. Richardson	....	music editor (uncredited)

Transportation Department
Greg Faucett	....	transportation captain
James Lowder	....	transportation coordinator (as James R. Lowder)
Rick Damazio	....	driver (uncredited)
Patrick A. Reynolds Jr.	....	driver (uncredited)

Other crew
Rob Anderson	....	assistant: Mr. Rotenberg
Jeff Bilger	....	key set production assistant
Sarah Nean Bruce	....	production consultant: Dallas (as Sarah N. Bruce.Craft)
Christina Campbell	....	accounting assistant
Anne Carr	....	medic (as Anne Catherine Carr)
Michael Cearley	....	set production assistant
Jan Clark	....	production accountant
Megan Bobeda Curry	....	assistant location manager: Dallas
Kim Davis	....	location manager: Dallas
Shanti Delsarte	....	assistant production coordinator
Ellie Dendahl	....	assistant location manager
Matt Dunstone	....	key office production assistant
Steve Eckelman	....	set production assistant
Fred Gabrielli	....	catering: Gala Catering Inc.
Yvonne M. Gabrielli	....	craft service (as Yvonne Gabrielli)
Denise Jackson	....	location manager: Key West
Jessica Jarrett	....	assistant: Mr. Judge
Michael Klastorin	....	unit publicist (as Michael E. Klastorin)
Sarah Lum	....	assistant: Mr. Rappaport
Christine Marino	....	assistant: Mr. Riedel
Nicki McCain	....	first assistant accountant
Kate McCarley	....	location manager
Marcel Meyer	....	location assistant
Rob Nelson	....	video/computer operator
Michael 'Mox' Pappas	....	craft service (as Michael Pappas)
Andrew S. Payer	....	set production assistant
Kyle Peake	....	set production assistant (as Kyle Peak)
Mark Quinn	....	catering: Gala Catering Inc.
M.K. Shaw	....	payroll accountant
K.D. Smith	....	production coordinator
Cheryl Starbuck	....	script supervisor
Carmen Thomson	....	medic
John Torrijos	....	video services (as John 'J.T.' Torrijos)
Katie Tull	....	set production assistant
Christian von Burkleo	....	video services (as Christian Von Burkleo)
Leigh A. Wilbourn	....	assistant production coordinator
Stephanie S. Woodyard	....	production secretary
Joe Cappelletti	....	additional voices (uncredited)
Darryl Chan	....	gym trainer: Ron Livingston (uncredited)
Janice Clark	....	production accountant (uncredited)
Maureen 'Mo' Crutchfield	....	post-production accountant (uncredited)
David Eck	....	production coordinator: Los Angeles re-shoots (uncredited)
Currie Person	....	location production assistant (uncredited)
Joshua J. Smith	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Miker Stovall	....	set production assistant (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation (presents) (as Twentieth Century Fox)
• Cubicle Inc. (uncredited)

Distributors

• Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation (1999) (USA) (theatrical)
• 20th Century Fox Netherlands (1999) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• 20th Century Fox de Argentina (1999) (Argentina) (theatrical)
• 20th Century Fox of Germany (1999) (Germany) (theatrical)
• Filmes Castello Lopes (1999) (Portugal) (theatrical)
• Hispano Foxfilms S.A.E. (1999) (Spain) (theatrical)
• 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2009) (USA) (DVD) (Blu-Ray Disc) (special edition)
• Abril Vídeo (Brazil) (VHS)
• British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) (2002) (UK) (TV) (BBC2)
• Gativideo (200?) (Argentina) (VHS)
• Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (2003) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (2007) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (200?) (Netherlands) (VHS)
• Yorin (2003) (Netherlands) (TV) (first national airing)

Special Effects

• OCS/Freeze Frame/Pixel Magic (as OCS/Pixel Magic)
• Digital Filmworks

Other Companies

• American Humane Association, The  animals monitored by
• Barbour/Langley Productions  footage: "Cops" courtesy of
• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  camera cranes and dollies
• DeLuxe Laboratories  color and prints
• E=mc²  video effects supervision
• Gala Catering  catering
• Gateway Courtyard Shopping Center  the producers wish to thank
• Interscope Records  soundtrack available on
• Loop de Loop  voice casting (as Loop De Loop)
• Marilyn Monroe ADR Stage, Twentieth Century Fox  adr stage
• Morningwood Sound  score mixed at
• Pacific Title/Mirage  opticals
• Panavision  cameras and lenses
• Scarlet Letters  titles
• Sessions Payroll Management  extras payroll services
• Skywalker Sound  post-production sound services (a division of Lucas Digital Ltd.)
• Studio X  score recorded at
• Twentieth Television  footage: "Cops" courtesy of
• Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution  footage: "Kung Fu" courtesy of

Also Known As:

Cubiculos de la oficina (USA: Spanish title)

MPAA:

Rated R for language and brief sexuality.

Runtime:

89 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Certification:

Iceland:L | USA:TV-MA (TV rating) | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba) | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Canada:G (Quebec) | Brazil:Livre | Singapore:NC-16 | Argentina:Atp | Australia:M | Chile:TE | Finland:S | France:U | Germany:12 | Ireland:15 | Netherlands:AL | Norway:7 | Peru:PT | Portugal:M/12 | Spain:T | Sweden:Btl | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

4120 Friedrich Lane, Austin, Texas, USA

Company:

Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation

Trivia:

Director Cameo: [Mike Judge]Stan, Joanna's boss at Chotchkie's. He's listed in the credits as "William King."

Goofs:

Continuity: When Samir, Peter, and Mike beat on the fax machine, the top of it is thrown off. When the shot changes to Peter and Samir pulling Mike off and back again, the machine's top is back on.

Quotes:

Bob Porter: Looks like you've been missing a lot of work lately.
Peter Gibbons: I wouldn't say I've been *missing* it, Bob.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire: (#8.10)" (2009)

Soundtrack:

Beautiful Dreamer

"Uh, Yeaaah, Peter...What's Happening?..."

There's something about a study of life in a `cubicle' to which just about everyone can relate; at least everyone who has ever had to get up every day, go to work and punch a time clock, then go home and wait to do it all over again the next day. In `Office Space,' writer/director Mike Judge (the guy who gave us `Beavis and Butthead') captures the essence of the work-a-day world, in this case in an office setting, though it could be on any job anywhere, from the largest conglomerate to the smallest business concern; anywhere a `corporate structure' is in place and employed. The subtle humor of Judge's vision is funny, and often downright hilarious, and all with very little exaggeration of the way things really are, from the weekly `motivational' talks from the boss, to staff meetings, corporate `mission statements' and the protocol of cover sheets and memos, all of which-- as portrayed here-- have a sterling ring of truth to them. The central character of Judge's story is a guy named Peter Gibbons (Ron Livingston), a software analyst for `Initech,' who after working with a therapist finds himself in something of a transcendental state of mind, whereupon he divulges to a pair of consultants-- `efficiency experts' sent in to streamline the company's operation-- that he does only about `fifteen minutes of real work' a week, due to the very structure (or lack thereof) of the company itself. And his refreshingly honest candor in outlining his job description soon has quite an unexpected effect on his life, as well as that of a couple of co-workers. Judge perceptively expands the satire to encompass facets of Peter's life outside the office, as well, which gives the audience even more with which to identify, like driving to work in bumper to bumper freeway traffic that has slowed to a stop-- in Peter's lane-- while the cars in the next lane going flying by; and when he changes into THAT lane, IT comes to a standstill while the cars in the lane he just left start to whiz on by. It's an application of Murphy's Law that -- while certainly nothing new-- works well within the context of this particular story, in which the humor is derived from emphasizing the annoying, mundane things that happen to us all on a daily basis. Like getting in the shortest line at the supermarket and taking longer than anyone else to get checked out. Livingston gives a notable performance, giving Peter that sense of the `everyman' who'd like nothing better than to break free of the rigors of the 8 to 5 existence. He brings an affable presence to the screen that perfectly communicates what Judge is attempting to say, and does it in such a way that it validates Peter's being selected as `Champion of the Cause' as it were. Also turning in memorable performances are Stephen Root (a terrific character actor), as Milton, a guy whose very existence seems to be a study in suffering abuse and degradation; and Gary Cole, as Peter's boss, Bill Lumbergh, whose impudent, laconic methods of intimidation, delivered in such a droll manner, make him the boss everybody loves to hate. The supporting cast includes Jennifer Aniston as Joanna, the waitress with a minimum of `flare' who has trouble `expressing' herself, according to her boss; Ajay Naidu (Samir); David Herman (Michael Bolton); Richard Riehle (Tom); Joe Bays (Dom); John C. McGinley (Bob Slydell); Paul Wilson (Bob Porter) and Diedrich Bader (Lawrence). Reminiscent of the world portrayed in the `Dilbert' comic strip, `Office Space' works because it effectively puts real people in real situations, and brings you into contact with some characters you're going to recognize; I guarantee that no matter what you do to live, thrive and survive, you've run into these people, worked for them, and alongside them. It's a case of art reflecting reality, and to Judge's credit he's succeeded in making a funny movie that really hits close to home, without resorting to any gross or infantile humor to do it. It's a film that simply puts the `corporate experience' in the spotlight and gives you a chance to laugh at `the boss,' and maybe even a little bit at yourself along the way. I rate this one 8/10.