Temps Keep ‘Clockwatchers’ Ticking After Comedy Slows

“Clockwatchers,” which premiered at the 1997 Sundance Film Festival, is the estrogen version of a celebrated alumnus of that year’s festival, “In the Company of Men.” It explores how the soulless machinery of the workplace can destroy the spirit and reduce worker drones to, if not exactly the amoral monsters of Neil LaBute’s scabrous work, then at least unpleasantly petty bickerers.

The film centers on a close-knit group of temp workers: Iris (Toni Collette of “Muriel’s Wedding”), mousy and observant; Margaret (Parker Posey), mouthy and brash; Paula (Lisa Kudrow), flirty and delusional; and Jane (Alanna Ubach), unambitious and engaged to a scoundrel. They’re all trapped at a monumentally mediocre credit company straight out of “Dilbert,” where actually doing work can get you into trouble.

Like any good mega-corporation, the company exploits the young women’s abilities without offering them any allegiance, blindingly dismissing them as poorly paid contract players of limited talent. Despite their contributions--they know their way around the company and keep things running--they’re easily ignored or diminished.

Which is enough, of course, to make anyone bitter, but at least they have one another’s camaraderie and the free grub of nearby pubs’ happy hours to make life worthwhile. Things get even worse, however, when a nearly mute, bug-eyed young woman is hired over them into a permanent position. Frustration and jealousy mount, and a most peculiarly small-minded crime spree erupts, which adds paranoia to the mix.

“Clockwatchers” is written by the sister act of Jill and Karen Sprecher and directed by Jill. For a while, it’s acceptable deadpan fun as it examines the deadening nature of a workplace committed to mediocrity, and Sprecher’s mannered shot compositions accentuate the budget-minded production design’s clever eye toward god-awful corporate blandness.

But, really, not much happens. Were it not for Iris’ voice-over narration, we wouldn’t have a clue that any of this matters a whit to anyone. And once the jokiness of the Sprechers’ screenplay starts petering out, things get as dreary as a 9-to-5 shift chained to a desk.

What keeps things watchable are the principals’ performances--these four really look and feel like the minions who populate offices looking borderline sharp but utterly frivolous, whose career options are dwindling and whose biggest thrill is sticking it to the Man by getting away with some tiny office taboo. “Clockwatchers” opens with fresh, quirky panache, but by film’s end, those most closely consulting their watches may be those in the audience.

* MPAA rating: PG-13 for brief language. Times guidelines: Subject matter is of little interest to kids or even teens.

‘Clockwatchers’

Toni Collette: Iris

Parker Posey: Margaret

Lisa Kudrow: Paula

Alanna Ubach: Jane

Goldcrest Films International presents a Gina Resnick Production, distributed by BMG Independents. Director Jill Sprecher. Producer Gina Resnick. Screenplay Jill Sprecher, Karen Sprecher. Executive producer John Flock. Director of photography Jim Denault. Editor Steven Mirrione. Production designer Pamela Marcotte. Costume designer Edi Giguere. Music Joey Altruda, Mader. Running time 1 hour, 36 minutes.

* In selected theaters around Southern California.