2008 | U.S. | 93 minutes
Writer/Director: Stephen Belber
Cast: Jennifer Aniston, Steve Zahn, Woody Harrelson, Margo Martindale, Tzi Ma, Fred Ward, James Hiroyuki Liao
Released by: Samuel Goldwyn Films
Cdn video distributor: Alliance (Universal)
Management is this week’s best bet, especially if you’re a romantic comedy lover. The title, though, is a stinker. Don’t be fooled by its awfulness.
The story follows a 30-something slacker named Mike (Steve Zahn) who works in a family-owned roadside motel, somewhere in small-town Arizona, with his Mom and Dad (Margo Martindale and Fred Ward). He has no apparent social life, no ambitions and, if not for the sweetness Zahn infuses into his character, the stalker he soon becomes would appall most.
That happens when he sees a classy executive named Sue (Jennifer Aniston) check into the place. Right away he’s in love — especially with her butt. With such crass interests, and juvenile behaviour as showing up uninvited with a bottle of cheap wine, Sue’s willingness to be intimate with him has all the believability of a porn scenario. But there is logic to it. She’s a giving person who has dedicated her life to helping others. One look at Mike and she can tell he’s a harmless man with a specific need, and she reasons she’s willing to provide it. Just once. It would be her good deed for the day. It’s not about love, or even passion. It’s charity. Only a man could write stuff like this (the film was written and helmed by first-time director Stephen Belber).
But this only inflames Mike’s obsession for her, prompting him to chase her all over the country, oblivious that her gift to him was meant as a one-time donation. Unlike Mike she has a job, money, plus a millionaire fiancé (Woody Harrelson as a loud-mouthed ex-punk rocker and present-day yogurt mogul). Why would she want this homeless, penniless, pot-smoking loafer perpetually invading her life?
Two things save this disturbing premise. The first is Zhan’s adorable puppy dog performance. Zahn has made a career playing dim-witted comic-relief characters. His presence in Joy Ride, for example, helped elevate a standard horror thriller into a fun adventure. Finally, in Management, he gets a meaty lead role, and it’s about time. The man deserves stardom. He fills this potentially repulsive character with a gentle soul that shines in every scene. His facial expressions alone trigger some of the biggest laughs.
The second major strength of this story is its supporting characters. Sue isn’t the only one in Mike’s life who goes to unusual lengths to help him. Everyone does, including Al (James Hiroyuki Liao); a straight-talking wise-ass Chinese-American waiter he happens to meet in his travels. Al ends up being the best friend a man could hope for, and a major force in guiding the story along. Even Jango (the Woody Harrelson character) ultimately demonstrates a kindness beneath his gruff exterior. Such absence of meanness and selfishness is a rarity in films – even feel-good comedies – but Management wisely strives for it.
As for Jennifer Aniston she always exudes sweetness, so her presence here is a perfect fit. Her eyes have the best moments as they squint and assess this very strange, yet lovable man who stubbornly knocks on the door to her heart. The inevitable emotional payoff at the end works – it’s actually believable – though the final shot milks the moment for way too long. It’s a forgivable editing misstep for one of the sweetest movies this year.
Theatrical release date: May 15, 2009
Video release date: September 29, 2009
Production Budget: N/A
Worldwide Box Office: $1,220,556
FUN ALTERNATIVES: Disparate couples falling in love – particularly from vastly different economic and social classes – have been a common form of romantic storytelling since Cinderella met her prince. But rarely has the genre dared to set-up the female character as an epitome of male desire – and the man as an obsessive prowler who succeeds in winning her heart. This is likely why There’s Something About Mary rarely ends up on any “greatest romantic comedy” lists, though it garners way more laughs than those that tend to make the cut.
The film is loaded with outrageous crass actions, but the laughs mostly work because of Mary’s sunny obliviousness to the embarrassment of these moments, especially the “hair gel scene” most cite as their favourite. It’s an uncommon success that writer/directors Peter and Bobby Farrelly have yet to top, though they came close with Me, Myself and Irene.