Corner Office
Dark, ethereal workplace satire has become a prominent trope over recent years, with shows like The Office & Severance building highly engaged fanbases. The latest entry into this genre of storytelling is Corner Office, a twisted, mysterious film led by Jon Hamm in the lead role of Orson, a new employee at the amorphous, The Authority Inc.
Upon arriving for his first day at this new cold, grey, mundane, nebulous workplace viewers are given a glimpse into Orson's mind through his inner monologue acting as the narrator for the film. By presenting the film in this way we soon learn that Orson has a very particular way that he likes to work & process information. Anybody with tendencies that lean towards obsessive-compulsive disorder or autism will immediately connect with Orson.
What makes Corner Office so compelling, despite the mundanity & languid pacing of the film, is the air of workplace tension in the early acts. However, when Orson discovers a mysterious door that leads to a luxurious, wood-panelled office - that seemingly nobody else is aware of - the tension is ratcheted up to a new level.
The depiction of office politics, workplace chatter/gossip, backstabbing & an underlying fear of redundancy is wonderfully crafted. For many people who work in this environment, Corner Office could be incredibly challenging while attempting to decompress following a stressful day.
Jon Hamm's performance as Orson is captivating. Hamm embodies the character with a sense of gravitas that exudes confidence, that verges on arrogance, that is reigned in by self-doubt. The psychological break that Orson ultimately endures is perhaps the film’s biggest highlight.
The absurd, surreal nature of the mystery & thought processes taking place in Orson's mind, combined with the treacly pace of the film ultimately leads the film to a somewhat unsatisfying outcome.
Although Corner Office is compelling it fails to land a killing blow. Many will be left walking away from the film without any poignant take or life lessons.
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