Management – Film Review
Humor Seals The Deal For This Odd Romance
The original comedic direction of this offbeat love story, about two isolated souls (Jennifer Aniston, Steve Zahn) seeking an emotional connection, is decidedly dark. Except Management ceases to build on these two empty characters. Instead, the second half of the film transcends into an enjoyable madcap farce.
An Unlikely Merger
With no ambitions of his own, Mike (Zahn) is trapped as the night manager of his parent’s roadside motel in Arizona. He instantly lights up the moment Sue (Aniston) checks in for a couple of days for business. As a seller of corporate art, she’s in town to present paintings to potential clients.
Mike concocts an introduction with a complimentary bottle of wine gone bad. She warily invites him in her room. The peculiar evening ends with a sexual pass permitted by Sue. Than, unexpectedly, the guarded business woman initiates a bold sexual encounter before she heads back to Maryland.
The smitten Mike begins his zealous pursuit of Sue, and flies to Baltimore to surprise her.
Straight away, he learns of her passion for recycling and feeding the homeless. Mike believes these good works act as a distraction, allowing Sue to disregard her own emotional needs. Despite his insight into her, Sue allows her sensibilities to reject her ardent pursuer.
Cross-Country Road Trip
The absurdity ramps up with the introduction of Woody Harrelson as Jango, Sue’s ex-boyfriend. The ex-punk rocker now operates an organic yogurt manufacturing business in Washington State. He has lured Sue back into life with the opportunity to run his company’s charity division. Meanwhile, with a renewed sense of purpose, Mike is determined to win Sue over. Once again, he takes to the road to track her down.
Upon his landing in town, he contemplates his destitute circumstances in a Chinese restaurant. There, he is befriended by the waiter, Al (James Liao). Al takes Mike under his wing, and offers him a job in his family’s restaurant. Although, they have different personal styles, the pair form a great friendship as kindred spirits. Mike and Al team up to plan a series of grand gestures to woo the woman Mike loves.
Corporate Directory
Starring Jennifer Aniston, Steve Zahn, Woody Harrelson, Fred Ward, Margo Martindale and James Liao.
“Management” is the directorial film debut of playwright-screenwriter Stephen Belber. Written by Stephen Belber, (Tape, Match). Director of photography by Eric Alan Edwards, production design by Judy Becker, costume design by Christopher Lawrence and edited by Kate Sanford. Produced by Sidney Kimmel, Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen. Executive producers are William Horberg, Bruce Toll, Jim Tauber, Nan Morales and Jennifer Aniston.
U.S. release by The Samuel Goldwyn Company.
(Running Time: 93 min)
(Rating: R for language)
Jennifer Aniston as SUE and Steve Zahn as MIKE
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Woody Harrelson as Jango in MANAGEMENT
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