Wednesday, January 09, 2013

Office Space













I've seen all or parts of Mike Judge's Office Space (1999) several times over the years, and every time it gets better, more nuanced. Despite (and because of) changes in communications technology, this irreverent sendup of "modern" office work holds up well. Despite smart phones, flat screens and the ubiquity of digital technology, in all too many places of employ, little of essence has changed. If you have one, a mind is a terrible thing to waste.

Speaking of, what does "hold up" mean?

Like beams keeping a roof in place, preventing it from crashing down.

Hold up can also mean: slow down, pardner.
A holdup is: stop everything -- this is a robbery.
Wholed up -- bunkered down, by choice or necessity.
Hey man, what's the holdup?

Office Space covers every aspect of the aforesaid.
















I've learned recently that Office Space was filmed in Texas, not only in Austin but also around Las Colinas (another local source adds Plano to the mix) in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. I can see that clearly now -- from traffic patterns to land use.  

Today's Rune: Signals.   

3 comments:

Charles Gramlich said...

My wife is a big fan of this movie and she got me hooked. Indeed, so often talent goes unrecognized in the workaday world.

WAS said...

Yeah, I'm gonna have to ask you to say a little bit more about why you liked this movie, OK? Thanks.

jodi said...

Erik, never caught that show, but hold up to me means WAIT!!!