Customer Reviews

Office Killer

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

When still photographer Cindy Sherman announced she was making a feature film, the buzz was high in the indie community---high enough to warrent interest from Carol Kane, Jeanne Tripplehorn and Molly (yes) Ringwald. The film was released in late '97 to scalding reviews, denouncing it as sick, perverted, unfunny and simply pointless.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

This is the role Carol Kane has been waiting for all her life, after getting relegated to B and C roles in everything from the "Stranger Calls" series to the newly released "Jawbreaker". She gleams with an eerie intensity as seemingly mousy copywriter Doreen Douglas, whose downsizing to a part-time, work at home position, is just the catalyst she needs to plunge into the abyss of madness. For Doreen, her job IS her life, and when it's taken away, she takes steps to ensure her life doesn't leave quietly. "Office Killer" comes at a time when working at home is becoming more and more common place, and with it, the detachment inherent is bound to affect those who have little else going on in their lives. Kane's Doreen makes sure that if she can't be with her co-workers, they can sure be with her, under any circumstances.

Tripplehorn turns in an appropriately plastic performance as the nice-girl-turned-climber and Ringwald chews the scenery as a bitchy writer who seems to be the only one to recognize Kane's increasingly bizarre behavior. Only Barbara Sukowa, as the managing editor, turns in a way way over the top turn, that is grating in it's staginess.

The most gruesome scenes here are almost borderline funny, which sounds sick, I know. But if taken in the context of Doreen's warped mind and Kane's sharp characterization, the result is Pathos mixed with nausea.

"Office Killer" may not be a movie you would even want to see, but it isn't half as bad as you've read. The problem most people have with it I think----is that it hits them where they live and makes them uncomfortable. But, then again, independant cinema needs more films like that.

As a die hard fan of cindy sherman...I have to say that I was dying just to get ahold of this movie and when I finally did.....gee....I nearly had an orgasm while watching it. this is definetely a piece of sherman's work...you can see it all through out the movie, although this movie is not for everyone.....I think it was delicious I adore her work and nearly passed out when I held the cover to the movie...isn't that great? well I think that everyone has their own opinion and that is fair...I don't think that she was looking to please everyone and that's what makes good films...to me at least. If you enjoyed this movie or are a fan of her work I would be delighted to talk with you! email me at: jesus_kriste@yahoo.com

kiss kiss

Aa

I think this is a fabulous independent film. People are acting shocked and disgusted by this movie, but what did they expect?The movie, after all, is called office killer!! It's campy and over the top, like most great horror films. Watch this movie with an open mind and enjoy!!

cindy sherman, one of the greatest contemporary photographers, made her directoral debute with this soon-to-be cult classic thriller. "office killer" captures the essence of a lonely office worker (carol kane) gone mad. it is a true thriller that will make twisted minds laugh. the creative cinematography only contributes to the seductive quality of this film. great for movie lovers, film study, and photography classes.

Whew, this one got trashed here, didn't it? Well, I enjoyed it, actually. It's an arty little B-movie... A curiosity which is shaken to life by Carol Kane's near-flawless performance. Wow! A role she sinks her teeth (and knives) into. I'd love to give specific examples but they're so well-timed I'd be spoiling it. The viewer is led to be sympathetic, then not, then sympathetic again in a very refreshing way. My personal quibbles are a few character inconsistencies, some arty shots that, while beautiful, are distracting, and the disappointingly Hollywood ending... Otherwise, this gruesome, bleak little exercise is fun, sick fun, but FUN... Hey, Cindy Sherman loves THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE, and this is in a similar vein... When other arty directors are bludgeoning the viewer with self-indulgence and lame messages, this film provides a welcome alternative.

THE MAIN REASON to see this off-kilter black comedy is Carol Kane. Kane, once nominated for an Oscar for her role in HESTER STREET, went on to play the dispatcher on TAXI, but we've never really seen that much of her. In her role as Dorine Douglas, the titled murderer, she gives a performance that is totally awesome. Kane uses her put upon persona, her deeply infested hate and hurt to bring Dorine to vicious life. Her scene when she finds her mother dead is brilliant in its intensity and the way Kane is able to jump back and forth. It's not easy playing a wacko and getting away with it. Here, Kane shines in a performance that should not have been overlooked at Oscar time.
Only Molly Ringwald as the bitchy coworker gives more than a passing performance; Jeanne Tripplehorn almost makes it, but the rest of the cast, well...
Anyway, this is NOT a pleasant movie, and along with CHRISTINA'S HOUSE gives further credence to the ban on door to door selling.
Worth a rent just to see Kane's killer performance!

Dorine is a lonely old woman who works for a modern-age magazine company that's just brushing up with the changing times in cutting edge technology. She lives in her childhood home caring for her cripple mother and leads a pretty unsatisfying life. She gets a shock when company down-sizing forces her to spend less time in the office and more time at home.

Then one night, a superior accidently dies fixing electrical wiring. She gets spooked and instead of calling someone, she decides to: lug his body to her home, plant him in front of her basement television, and go on a homicial massacre.

Morbidly sick, dismal, and grotesque slasher has admirable direction, style and charisma. Kane turns in an EXCELLENT performance (comparable to Kathleen Turner in SERIAL MOM), the camera angles are astonishingly crafty, the music is haunting, and the ending is quite shocking.

There is however one major flaw: the amateur execution of painfully pitiful dialogue. It's unbearable at times. Also, both Ringwald and Tripplehorn are completely wasted.

A real gem from Cindy Sherman's creepier side.
Stellar casting! Molly Ringwald is stunning! Carol Kane is classic!

The clear packing tape scene still gives me the willies. PURE GENIUS!!!

=^..^=

I will start out by saying, what a strange ensemble this is! Carol Kane, Molly Ringwald and Jean Tripplehorn all in the SAME movie? How utterly random! Not knowing anything about Cindy Sherwood, who is she? I rented this by recommendation from a friend. Did not expect much, judging by the title and the stars. I was in for a pleasant surprise. I was captivated by the sheer grittiness and style of this film alone to make it enjoyable. It uses original angles and lighting in the production aspect of the film, which is refreshing.

The thing I most enjoyed about this film was Carol Kane's performance. She makes Kathy Bates in Misery look like the lady in Romper Room. She played the part with such minimalistic ferver it became frightening to watch. Ultimately disturbing to see her go completely wacko as well. This movie absolutely shocked me, I couldn't believe what I was seeing at times. I just didn't expect Doreen to become so evil. It's like, why the girl scouts, WHY?

As disturbing as this movie gets, it still manages to remain comedic, so over the top at times, you chuckle. But then you ask yourself, why the heck am I chuckling? (Am I that sick?).

My hat goes off to Carol Kane in this performance of a lifetime for her. If your a fan of hers, you gotta see her in Office Killer, "the feel good movie of the year!" (yeah right!).

Photographer and director Cindy Sherman has been watching too many horror movies. This one is definitely the classic formula First an accident, then maybe another, then the trigger. Freud would be proud of this one.

No matter how fun this movie looks do not try this at home. And no, this is not what is meant by downsizing.

Dorine (Carol Kane) is working for a publisher that is about to downsize the office. The office is sort of dysfunctional anyway. Her character is more in line with Milton Waddams `Office Space' (1999). There may be a sub plot to this. Mean while it seems that everyone involved with making Dorine uncomfortable is invited to stay at her place. FOREVER.

So get out the sticky tape and popcorn to watch this one.