Extract Script Review

Published by Jeff Leins on: August 13th, 2009

In 1999, I had the pleasure of sitting down in a theater with a few of my friends and taking in a little known comedy called Office Space.  Up to that point, I don’t think I had ever laughed that hard during a movie.  From the opening scene where Michael Bolton raps in traffic to Milton’s glorious revenge, it was all comedy gold.

Then, like a couple of nerds, we started quoting the movie to each other constantly.  “No. No, man. Shit, no, man. I believe you’d get your ass kicked sayin’ something like that, man.”  I even have a goofy video we made where we humbly pay tribute to the famous copy machine beat down by smashing a faulty VCR.  It’s embarrassing.

Unfortunately, due to a poor marketing strategy, hardly anyone knew about Office Space.  Fast forward a few years and the movie is a classic on DVD.  I’ve probably watched it 15 times now, at least.  If you’ve ever worked at a desk, you should have already seen this movie.

Which is why I’m excited the world premiere of Mike Judge’s new movie, Extract, is rapidly approaching in our home base of Austin, TX next Tuesday, August 18.  The Austinite writer/director and Jason Bateman will be in attendance to usher in the new workplace comedy and answer audience questions.  Then, on Labor Day weekend (clever), Extract and Judge get the wide release they deserve.  But before the film hits theaters and movie reviews begin rolling in, I thought we’d take a look at the screenplay.

The story centers on Joel (Bateman), the owner of an extract factory on the verge of selling the company and retiring.  But a fluke accident claims the testicle of Step (Clifton Collins Jr.) and his pending lawsuit threatens the deal.  Step is encouraged to sue by a sexy con girl named Cindy (Mila Kunis), who manipulates and steals from the other characters.  Side note: “You’re going to get a huge settlement out of this” sounds familiar.

While Step may be the one losing his balls, Joel doesn’t have any to begin with.  He doesn’t have the courage to stand up for himself or talk things over with his wife (Kristin Wiig), who regularly denies him sex.  Then he takes bad advice from his closest (only) friend Dean (Ben Affleck), a bar owner and self-declared pharmacist.  Toss in an annoying neighbor (David Koechner) who shows up uninvited and you’re up to speed on Joel’s miserable life.

The next Office Space this isn’t.  While parts of the script were laugh out loud funny, it’s missing the relatable element that made his earlier comedy a classic.  It riffs often on sexual frustration and Joel’s suburban trappings, but there is nothing quite as universal as multiple bosses and office bureaucracy.  We laugh at what the protagonist is going through, but most of us can’t identify with him.

The characters themselves are funny, but there aren’t any hilarious exchanges that will become the next “Oh face.”  A plot detour involving a gigolo is about the funniest piece of the story, but it drags on and peaks early.  In fact, most of the comedy is in the first half of the pages, while the rest winds down the eccentric characters to a fizzled ending.

I’m not saying the movie won’t be funny.  Judging only from the script, it should be a good time.  However, if you’re expecting another brilliant Mike Judge white collar comedy you’ll be disappointed.  I hope I’m wrong.