Review of Management (2009) by Hummie A — 18 Dec 2010

Sue Claussen: Compact fluorescents.

[showing her apartment for the 1st time].

Mike: Oh, too bad.

Sue Claussen: I wrote you a Haiku. Do you wanna hear it?

Mike: Sure.

Sue Claussen: Mike, oh Mike, my man Keeps showing up like UPS Sue, you're such a bitch.

Mike: ...I like it!

The movie changed for the better as soon as Woody appeared on screen like the flip of a coin it changed drastically!

MANAGEMENT is complimentary delight. A sweet dramedy about love and insecurities. Let yourself be taken by Jennifer Aniston and Steve Zahn and their imperfect yet harmonious chemistry. Woody Harrelson is a comic genius. It's an endearing story about... taking chance on love no matter how scary the uncertainties can be. Spontaneous and heartwarming, enjoy the hospitality courtesy of MANAGEMENT.

I love the story that writer/director Stephen Belber has crafted. I like how he takes his time in developing the characters, getting us to familiarize ourselves and connect with and understand the motivation behind their decisions. You notice the changes that happen within the span of time from the first meeting, to the conflict in the basement all the way to butt-grabbing conclusion. The characters don't stay the same throughout the entire thing, they go through interesting life changing journeys, one after another.. nothing far-fetched.. a bit silly maybe but still within our reason. Yes it's a comedy but it also has some very touching and sad dramatic elements and not in a way that would you put to sleep or plain tear jerkers. It's well thought out with the intention of making us re-think why anybody would wanna get in a relationship in the first place anyway, is it for love or for security?! What a great blend of comedy and drama I might add. It's the type of humor that would break you and get you to chuckle or at least smile even when you try not to. It's a cute little movie.

Jennifer Aniston gives the best performance of her career as Sue, a successful corporate type woman who, during one of her business trips, encounters Mike, played by Steve Zahn who's still stuck doing family business, living a life that's going nowhere but once he catches a glimpse at Sue, he knows that he would have to risk everything to be with her. Steve Zahn is the type of actor who may not be an Oscar caliber yet, possibly because of his goofy presence, he does have the talent and the heart to get the job done. He'll challenge himself and give his all for the story that he strongly believes in.

Sue, despite occasional interest in taking risks and having fun a little, is the kind of woman who likes to play it safe. She goes out to feed the homeless and do all kinds of charity work while juggling a successful career at the same time...but she figures she wouldn't be able to do all that if there's no financial backup to support that certain lifestyle. The themes get even more relevant in this day and age where economy is in the craphole. Is it wise to just take a leap into unconditional love with your eyes closed?!

I think what Belber's trying to emphasize that it can be a struggle being with somebody that you love that loves you back but at least you're truly happy instead of pretending to be. It's also some sort of a stereotypical study on woman and man. Some women tend to mature faster and is very selective when choosing a life partner. Some men still like being a kid, just like Mike who doesn't have much vocabulary in his head, resulting in hasty behavior such as flying thousands of miles away, willing to go broke, just to see if she feels the same way. But what's interesting is Sue's other option is a rich man but also an immature kid. An ex punk rocker named Jango, brilliant played by Woody Harrelson who has the most perfect comedic timing, one of the best actors of our time. Being with Jango proves that Sue has a type after all, she keeps finding herself with the same type of guy. She's scared to give in to love that doesn't have money on the side while Mike isn't sacred to chase after love but he first needs to get out of the life that's been holding him back all these years. They're both taking a chance on each other. What comes after is an adventure they're going to have to figure out together.

Mike works at his parents' motel in Kingman, population 27,000, on old Route 66. Sue sells art for a Baltimore firm to corporations for office walls. He takes one look at her from behind as she registers at the motel and determines to connect. He's sweet, but hapless, with no ambition other than spending time with her. She's enigmatic - rarely smiling, occasionally impulsive, committed to helping homeless people, feeling the clock tick after a breakup with a boyfriend who could have provided security. Is there any way he stands a chance with her? What can he offer?

A traveling art saleswoman tries to shake off a flaky motel manager who falls for her and won't leave her alone.