Corner Office

I liked it, but then I find movies (and other art forms) concerning the act of work, especially office work, quite engrossing. I can understand why it might seem weird and unremarkable to some. Perhaps you need to have experienced office work, especially in a large, soulless space, toiling for a large, soulless organisation, to appreciate some of the nuances and petty frictions on display here. The more I think about the film, the more it chimes with me. It's one man raging against the machine and finding his own way of managing the profound frustrations of being misunderstood and under-appreciated.

In the perspective of Orson it's his refuge from ugliness. In times where children being left increasingly uncared for only to be grown and become a foot soldier in a crusade to quench the corporate desires it's a fertile ground to grow more Orsons. Visuals are perfect to signify the coldness and impenetrable ways of the massive structures where ants rush. A great story that mocks what's accepted as normal. Hopeless staring at a world left behind out there is what's left to do when routine entrapment seemed hopeless. Great meaningful use of audio. Excellent performances by the cast. In this corner office you will be left to choose between alternatives and that's a fun experience.

A great movie.

It really had my attention from the very start until the last moment and it left me wondering. Just the type of movie that I enjoy the most. It was intriguing and it kept me guessing, it was a journey.

I see how some people wouldn't like the experience, you have to have a certain mood to like this one, you have to be ready to dive in. It's not a type of movie you would watch with your friends or even family, I guess. After all, it is about loneliness some might say...

It is mostly grey, calm, monotonous, it demands focus and commitment, it is like a study in a way, and most people, won't find that entertaining.

Now for the good stuff, first of all, how good it was artistically! First it catches your eye with that cold concreate, the office, perfect shapes, yet then you hear the soft voice. And then the room - warm and comfy like the voice, because the voice comes from the room from the very start, doesn't it?! It is perfectly executed visually, I'd say. The atmosphere is on point.

The lead is perfectly executed, as well as the manager, but I do feel like other side characters were a bit lackluster and it could've made it better if they were explored and developed a bit more.

One thing that I noticed is that it might be hard to correctly explore the feelings of the protagonist here, it could be hard to back his decisions, as he doesn't seem to be a good guy overall, being egotistic, narcissistic and self-absorbed as he is. All the other characters seem quite flawed too, although quite more simply displayed. It is almost like they are all a puzzle that might fit together to show a picture, yet not really good on their own.

Apart from the obvious exploration of the psychology it's hard to pin point what this movie is really about. First thing that came to my mind was art. To me the protagonist looked like an artist - he had a vision and a way to execute it, it was genius as it was there in plain sight for him and it had great value, yet no one else could see it, until the fruit of it came out. He wanted the admiration, yet he also wanted to keep the fruit all to himself. Eventually it looks like he just wanted peace of mind and understanding. But then he got tangled in the admiration and fruit, and people wanting the process for their gain and fruit as a simple currency. Eventually understanding became to be not an option, so he resorted to the last thing he got left - himself.

It could also very well be the other way around, since the character is so egoistic, I could assume the whole story is about people being so self-absorbed by their own good work and talent, demanding privacy and comfort, ignoring the fact that being good at certain tasks doesn't automatically allow you to ignore morality and other people and just ignore the society overall, just because you yourself decided that. I mean, it sits well with current state of things in modern world, where people are so obsessed with themselves, like everyone is a star in their own movie, all those social networks, steamers, vlogs, etc. People do seem obsessed with themselves a lot nowadays and they sure do seem to think this makes them entitled to make unreasonable demands. Does it really mean, if you have a talent (or even not), you suddenly become entitled to make unreasonable demands, based on something that is real only for you?!

I mean, as you see this movie brings some thoughts up. I liked it.

Corner Office is a well-crafted dark comedy that highlights the monotony of the modern workplace and the psychological toll it takes on its characters. Through its unique, slightly surreal narrative, the film allows viewers to consider the profound impact of a soulless, routine-driven work environment. The protagonist, who is deeply affected by such an atmosphere, gradually succumbs to a kind of psychological "unraveling," a theme that permeates the film and underscores the mental strain of working in such a lifeless space.

Using dark comedy, Corner Office tackles themes of blandness and futility, emphasizing how a monotonous corporate setting can challenge one's mental health. This humorous yet deeply insightful approach invites viewers to reflect on the purpose and meaning of professional life, highlighting a particular aspect of psychological crisis that results from prolonged exposure to such environments.

One of the film's standout elements is its set and costume design, thoughtfully chosen to mirror its thematic focus. Neutral, dull colors like gray and other muted tones aptly illustrate a space devoid of vitality. This choice of colors and setting underscores the suffocating nature of an environment that figuratively and literally drains life from its inhabitants, stifling growth and pushing the protagonist toward a state of decay. From the desks to the walls, and even the uniforms, every detail reflects a stationary, numb existence, bringing to life the very essence of the protagonist's internal struggle.

Another strong point in Corner Office is the impressive acting by the cast. Each actor portrays their roles with skill, capturing the characters' psychological complexities with nuance. They successfully convey the alienation and loneliness within each of their roles, subtly emphasizing the strain of daily life in such a restrictive setting. This effective portrayal allows the audience to empathize with the protagonist's experience of isolation and disconnection.

In sum, Corner Office is a noteworthy film that explores the psychological toll of workplace mundanity with a keen, critical eye, through the lens of dark comedy. This is an intriguing watch for those interested in psychological and satirical storytelling, skillfully portraying the toll of modern work life on mental well-being. Through its careful blend of comedy and introspection, it draws viewers into the protagonist's journey, encouraging reflection on the challenges of modern-day corporate life.

This is one of the strangest and most unusual movies I've seen in a while. It's definitely thought-provoking but ultimately forgettable as it lacks a really good ending. I liked it though because the movie has a weird, psychedelic vibe that is only found in low budget indie projects. This is absolutely not a comedy and I wonder why they decided to label the film as such. It is more of a mystery tale with dark references to the abstract and meaningless life of a boring workplace. It's also very theatrical and the setting is nicely and abstract designed, just like dull offices can look like. Unfortunately, a point or conclusion is missing and when the movie ends you are left with the same empty space as the non-existing room in the movie. Worth a watch though for people who like weird and stylish movies.