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Management

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Management (2009)

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Reviews Counted:91

Fresh:41

Rotten:50

Average Rating:5.3/10

Consensus: Clever and often beguiling performances by Steve Zahn and Jennifer Aniston can't revive this sweetly misguided stalker romance.

Rated: R [See Full Rating] for language.

Runtime: 1 hr 34 mins

Genre: Comedies

Theatrical Release:May 15, 2009 Limited

Box Office: $809,787

Synopsis: Jennifer Aniston may get top billing in this romantic comedy, but MANAGEMENT belongs to Steve Zahn. The often goofy, always likable actor plays Mike Cranshaw, a man with little ambition but lots of... Jennifer Aniston may get top billing in this romantic comedy, but MANAGEMENT belongs to Steve Zahn. The often goofy, always likable actor plays Mike Cranshaw, a man with little ambition but lots of heart who works at his parents’ motel in small-town Arizona. When paint-saleswoman Sue Claussen (Aniston) stops at the inn, Mike immediately plots an awkward plan to seduce her. Things go better than either of them would have guessed, but Sue still leaves for her home in Maryland. Mike impulsively follows her east, beginning an uncomfortable but heartfelt courtship that takes the road less traveled. Sue’s move from Maryland to Washington does little to deter Mike, but the reappearance of her ex-boyfriend, ex-punk Jango (Woody Harrelson), could throw him off course. MANAGEMENT balances its star power (A-list actress Aniston) with its indie roots (theatrical distributor Samuel Goldwyn Films) to make a movie that doesn’t fit the rubric of either genre. It’s too quirky for a studio film, but it’s sweet enough that it shouldn’t scare away any fans of Aniston’s work in FRIENDS and HE’S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU. She’s more in the territory of THE GOOD GIRL and FRIENDS WITH MONEY here, and Sue is a complicated part that Aniston pulls off. In his other roles, Zahn often labors in the background and steals scenes from actors with higher billing, but MANAGEMENT is indisputably a leading role for the actor. His Mike commits acts bordering on criminal (or at least crazy) in his cross-country pursuit of Sue, but thanks to Zahn’s performance, it’s hard not to feel devoted to his character and to understand Sue’s (reluctant) attraction. Fans of the cringe-worthy humor of comedies like THE OFFICE will enjoy squirming through this unlikely romance. [More]

Starring: Jennifer Aniston, Steve Zahn, Woody Harrelson, Fred Ward

Starring: Jennifer Aniston, Steve Zahn, Woody Harrelson, Fred Ward, Margo Martindale, James Liao

Director: Stephen Belber

Director: Stephen Belber
Screenwriter: Stephen Belber
Producer: Sidney Kimmel, Wyck Godfrey, Marty Bowen
Composer: Michael Danna, Rob Simonsen
Studio: Samuel Goldwyn Films

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Release:

Sep 29, 2009

[DVD Details]
 
 
  • Jennifer Aniston (Marley & Me, Office Space) and Steve Zahn (Sunshine Cleaning, Saving Silverman) star in this "rare romantic comedy" (Los Angeles Times) that's bursting with originality, humor and sweetness. It's lust at first sight for laid-back motel night manager Mike (Zahn) when Sue (Aniston), an uptight sales rep, checks in. Convinced that Sue is his dream girl, Mike shakes up his slacker life in an outrageous pursuit across the country. But can he steal her away from her hot-tempered boyfriend (Woody Harrelson, No Country for Old Men)? Both Mike and Sue must go on their own twisted journeys to find out if what they really need is each other.
  •  
     
     
     

    Reviews for Management

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    A completely uproarious one-liner about Joe Strummer is still no reason to watch "Management." Had it stuck with insights on loners inadvertently backing themselves into emotional corners, rather than going for wackiness, it might have worked.

    Full Review Source: Suite101.com | comment Comment
    10/15/09
    Nick Rogers
    Nick Rogers
    Suite101.com

    Forget logic here, there's a good cast, nice chemistry and warm feelings all around as they all fumble around for something to bring meaning to their lives.

    Full Review Source: Seanax.com | comment Comment
    09/28/09
    Sean Axmaker
    Sean Axmaker
    Seanax.com

    So-so romcom about unlikely couple isn't too racy for teens.

    Full Review Source: Common Sense Media | comment Comment
    09/28/09
    S. Jhoanna Robledo
    S. Jhoanna Robledo
    Common Sense Media

    There’s more to Stephen Belber’s debut than just manufactured whimsy, not least a wise and witty script, and some beautifully sketched side characters supporting two reliably charming leads.

    Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
    09/25/09
    Tom Huddlestone
    Tom Huddlestone
    Time Out

    Not the funny, sunny romp the trailer promises, but a weary, weak attempt at romantic comedy that's far from feelgood.

    Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
    09/25/09
    Anne Wollenberg
    Anne Wollenberg
    Channel 4 Film

    For the most part, Management avoids the standard rom-com clichés in favour of something more delicate and heartfelt.

    Full Review Source: Times [UK] | comment Comment
    09/25/09
    Toby Young
    Toby Young
    Times [UK]

    Despite the obvious Norman Bates-ish resemblance, Zahn is clearly supposed to be dishy. The Zahn/Aniston pairing is without chemistry and there frankly isn't a spark of real life in the whole film.

    Full Review Source: Guardian [UK] | comment Comment
    09/25/09
    Peter Bradshaw
    Peter Bradshaw
    Guardian [UK]

    Doing nothing to disprove the so-called Curse Of Friends is haphazard rom-com Management.

    Full Review Source: Daily Mirror [UK] | comment Comment
    09/25/09
    David Edwards
    David Edwards
    Daily Mirror [UK]

    Unable to decide between being a romantic comedy, a zany farce or a thoughtful study of two emotionally repressed losers finding fulfilment, it ends up a mess; but an intriguing mess.

    Full Review Source: Financial Times | comment Comment
    09/25/09
    Martin Hoyle
    Martin Hoyle
    Financial Times

    Zahn is adorable and Jennifer Aniston brings an endearing tartness to Sue but even their best efforts don’t redeem the muddle of Management.

    Full Review Source: Daily Express | comment Comment
    09/25/09
    Allan Hunter
    Allan Hunter
    Daily Express

    Gentle and very sweet, this low-key romance takes some rather random turns as it drifts toward the obvious conclusion. But it's very nicely played, and it still manages to catch us emotionally.

    Full Review Source: Shadows on the Wall | comment 1 Comment
    09/25/09
    Rich Cline
    Rich Cline
    Shadows on the Wall

    Enjoyably offbeat indie romcom that's never particularly funny but gradually wins you over, thanks to a quirky, unpredictable script and great performances.

    Full Review Source: ViewLondon | comment Comment
    09/24/09
    Matthew Turner
    Matthew Turner
    ViewLondon

    The only thing that prevents the entire thing from becoming an unpleasant mess is Zahn, an often comic character actor who has an endearing goofiness to him and to his performances.

    Full Review Source: Deseret News, Salt Lake City | comment Comment
    09/03/09
    Jeff Vice
    Jeff Vice
    Deseret News, Salt Lake City

    Gentle, goofy and never mean, Management isn’t earth-shaking. But it’s a fuzzy warm blanket of a movie.

    Full Review Source: Kansas City Star | comment Comment
    07/30/09
    Robert W. Butler
    Robert W. Butler
    Kansas City Star

    According to this misguided movie's wisdom, every woman should be so lucky to have her very own stalker to help her get her life in order.

    Full Review Source: Creative Loafing | comment Comment
    07/14/09
    Matt Brunson
    Matt Brunson
    Creative Loafing

    You watch Management thinking of the comedy Aniston and Zahn could have made, and wishing you were watching that movie instead.

    Full Review Source: Seattle Times | comment Comment
    07/10/09
    Moira MacDonald
    Moira MacDonald
    Seattle Times

    Goes for broke on sentiment but overlooks important details that make decent films great.

    Full Review Source: Charlotte Weekly | comment Comment
    07/08/09
    Sean O'Connell
    Sean O'Connell
    Charlotte Weekly

    Management should have definitely been called on to make some adjustments.

    Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle | comment Comment
    07/03/09
    Marjorie Baumgarten
    Marjorie Baumgarten
    Austin Chronicle

    Random weirdness aside, Belber telegraphs this story arc from Sue's first drop-in to Podunk. Message received. No surprises here.

    Full Review Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune | comment Comment
    06/26/09
    Troy Melhus
    Troy Melhus
    Minneapolis Star Tribune
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    The trademark hitch in Aniston's line delivery is an effective shorthand for taking a leap of faith. In the case of both her character and her career, Management represents an admirable choice.

    Full Review Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch | comment Comment
    06/26/09
    Joe Williams
    Joe Williams
    St. Louis Post-Dispatch
     
     
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