Office Christmas Party (2016)

Review

105min

Genre:       Comedy

Directors:   Josh Gordon and Will Speck

Cast:         Jason Bateman, T.J. Miller, Jennifer Aniston…and more

Writers:     Justin Malen, Laura Solon, Dan Mazer… and more

-Synopsis-

In a last-ditch effort to save a failing branch of his tech company family business and the jobs of his trusted employees from the ruthless company CEO, who happens to be his sister; a self-styled manager throws an almighty Christmas party to secure a last-minute contract and reward his staff, but things quickly get out of hand in this irreverent festive comedy featuring some of the hottest US comedy talent.

Hot on the heels of another subversive Yuletide comedy ‘Bad Santa 2’, directors Josh Gordon and Will Speck (Blades of Glory, The Switch) gives us their own blend of holiday cheer and outrageous adult-themed humour, in a wacky and warm-hearted rallying cry against political correctness and health & safety which will make your office parties seem like mandatory overtime.

T.J. Miller (Big Hero 6, Deadpool) stars as “Clay”, the hard partying and soft working manager of a struggling branch of the data services company founded by his late father; who relies on his level-headed right-hand-man “Josh” (Jason Bateman) to manage a group of corporate misfit employees who range from a cynical customer service rep and a geeky programmer, to a quirky uptight HR manager and a blunt but beautiful software engineer… and everything in between.

But when his determined and heartless older sister and company CEO “Carol” (Jennifer Aniston) shows up to spoil the party; “Clay” throws the party to end all office parties in a last chance effort to secure a contract, save his branch and all its employees while proving he’s a good boss after all… with hilarity inevitably ensuing.

‘Office Christmas Party’ follows a long tradition of wacky Christmas comedies, and a more recent tradition of lewd & rude irreverent humour, blending both together into a mediocre and slightly predictable package which is reasonably entertaining but instantly forgettable. In what feels like comedy-by-numbers, the film’s many writers and directors weave together a bunch of character gags and comedy set pieces using a silly but plausible storyline, which builds in terms of festive madness until predictably being tied up with a feelgood festive bow.

Directors Josh Gordon & Will Speck and their team make a half-hearted effort to smuggle some actual heart into the piece, introducing the prerequisite holiday themes of family, friendship and loyalty, while the obligatory romances develop amidst all the madness, plus a little cultural stereotyping for good comedy measure. But no one is here for depth or messages, we’re here for laughs and  ‘Office Christmas Party’ has just about enough of those.

Unlike the slew recent cringewothy and unfunny shock value lewd comedies with the odd side-splitting moment, ‘Office Christmas Party’ has a reasonable hit-to-miss joke ratio and spreads the laughter out more evenly. But relying heavily on good old-fashioned sight gags and physical humour, the comedy is consistent but unspectacular, with plenty of scenes to provoke a chuckle but very few genuine belly laughs and not a single comedy set-piece that’ll stick in the mind. And the despite the modern twist and combination of workplace comedy with outrageous party and seasonal spirit, there’s not much novelty or creativity here.

In spite of its many shortcomings and lack of inspiration, ‘Office Christmas Party’ is a slight improvement on the hugely disappointing Hollywood studio comedies which have left it to independent film to rescue some laughter from 2016. Jason Bateman is charming as ever as the film’s “straight man” while the ageless Jennifer Aniston proves her comedy chops and T.J. Miller successfully channels his madcap humour into a leading role; but Kate McKinnon steals the show with her delightful weirdness in every scene she’s in. But ultimately this is a moderately entertaining and reasonably funny take on the “party animal” and workplace comedy, with a seasonal twist and pumped with 21st century comedic steroids.

The Bottom Line…

Despite its best efforts, ‘Office Christmas Party’ is convincing no one that hard-partying will solve your problems and bring everyone together. While it may be an improvement on much of this year’s big-screen comedy and boasts a steady stream of reasonable laughs, this is never going to threaten the list of classic holiday comedies and is a perfect example of a “one-watch” seasonal farce.

Similar films you may like (Home Video)

The Night Before (2015)

As obligations mount up and “maturity” beckons, three thirtysomething New York friends bring a decade old Christmas partying tradition to an end with a drug & sex-fuelled quest to find the blowout party to end all parties in this Seth Rogen version of ‘A Christmas Carol’.

Jonathan Levine and starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen and Anthony Mackie

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