17 reviews
Meh
One of my favorite 90's actresses and a prominent role for the music of my favorite 90's indie rock band (Luna) pretty much assured that I'd like this. But, sadly, while it had some slim comedic elements, Price Check is pretty much a lightweight drama about facing midlife when your life hasn't panned out as you expected.
A driven career woman (Posey) who has forsaken other aspects of her life to reach the point where she's at in her profession meets a family man-boy (Mabius) who lost his dream job at an indie record label and now grinds it out working in a low paying job in supermarket marketing. Posey is his new boss. They form an alliance of sorts and some complications ensue.
It's a watchable film, but it isn't funny, witty, cerebral, dramatic or heart-filled. It just kind of lays there, like a movie that really doesn't know what it wants to be.
A driven career woman (Posey) who has forsaken other aspects of her life to reach the point where she's at in her profession meets a family man-boy (Mabius) who lost his dream job at an indie record label and now grinds it out working in a low paying job in supermarket marketing. Posey is his new boss. They form an alliance of sorts and some complications ensue.
It's a watchable film, but it isn't funny, witty, cerebral, dramatic or heart-filled. It just kind of lays there, like a movie that really doesn't know what it wants to be.
- RetroJethro
- Dec 31, 2012
- Permalink
Middle class family, job, promotion, stress free life, and fall and rise.
I agree with the majority that this is not the best film, but not bad either. The problem with it was the slow start and slow middle part, but the final act was so good. When I was watching it, I did not think I would rate it decently. I changed my mind after seeing the final few minutes and how it all ended.
The film focused on a middle class family man who is working in a supermarket chain. But this is particularly about him and his boss. After he declined the top position in the office to lead a stress free normal life, his new boss who gets close to him for his good character. That complicates him, between office and family. When a big opportunity knocks, followed by a roadblock, what happened after that was covered in the remaining narration.
Basically, the whole film was concentrated between two plus one character and occasionally supporting cast. As the poster hint, it's not Parker Posey's film, she was only part of it and a famous name among the cast. Though, actors like Amt Schumer and others are in small roles. So the performances were good, with the decent storyline. This is not a famous film, I don't think many had seen it or heard of it. It was more like a television film, the quality wise, especially for the holiday season. I Think it can be watched once with a low expectation, particularly the comedy parts.
6/10
The film focused on a middle class family man who is working in a supermarket chain. But this is particularly about him and his boss. After he declined the top position in the office to lead a stress free normal life, his new boss who gets close to him for his good character. That complicates him, between office and family. When a big opportunity knocks, followed by a roadblock, what happened after that was covered in the remaining narration.
Basically, the whole film was concentrated between two plus one character and occasionally supporting cast. As the poster hint, it's not Parker Posey's film, she was only part of it and a famous name among the cast. Though, actors like Amt Schumer and others are in small roles. So the performances were good, with the decent storyline. This is not a famous film, I don't think many had seen it or heard of it. It was more like a television film, the quality wise, especially for the holiday season. I Think it can be watched once with a low expectation, particularly the comedy parts.
6/10
- Reno-Rangan
- Nov 23, 2016
- Permalink
It's okay for a rental
Watching this flick was sorta like watching "The Office" except the characters are unlikable and it's just not as funny. The plot is about a guy who has a family of his own and works for a company but a woman boss takes over as the head of the company. And the movie is basically about the dude coping with and having a relationship with his female boss who is having a midlife crisis and is selfish and crazy. And most of the humor comes from her going bonkers, acting crazy and spazzing out. And those parts I chuckled a few times. It's not bad for a rent but you won't be missing all that much if you pass on this one.
5.6/10
5.6/10
- KineticSeoul
- Mar 30, 2013
- Permalink
Good movie, but Posey fans watch out...
You might've noticed that many of the negative reviews begin with something like "I'm a huge fan of Parker Posey, but I didn't like this movie." That can be expected because it's not a very typical role for Posey, and the film is nothing like the silly, fast-paced Christopher Guest comedies that earned her so many fans.
With the DVD cover pumping up our expectations with quips like "Posey is hilarious in this!" it's hard not to be disappointed when you realize this is more of a drama than a comedy. True, she brings to the table the same lovable goofiness, as neurotic as Tina Fey on crack, but where it breaks from her typical roles is that her character "Susan" in this film can be a thoroughly reprehensible person, and this complex dichotomy forces us to take her character more seriously than her typical lovable nerd roles. Imagine a very lovable, innocent, quirky personality like, say, Sheldon on Big Bang Theory. But now make that character do some pretty rotten things like, say, kicking cute puppies. The love/hate dichotomy might freak you out. It will either scare off the Posey fans or draw them in with curiosity as it did me.
If you remember the 80s sitcom Taxi and Danny Devito's odd character "Louie" the lovable scumbag who, if you were to meet in real life, wouldn't be worth the saliva to spit on him with, Posey gives us a similar feeling. Her character is the personification of everything that's wrong with corporate culture: sneaky, self-serving, without ethics, hypocritical and borderline depraved. Posey pulls it off brilliantly with her over-the-top quirkiness, and it may take you 30-45 minutes to figure out that she isn't really the "hero" of the story, she's more like a dark Mephisophelean force who is corrupting the good guy.
Midway, the film takes a dark turn and after that we don't get many funny gags (or perhaps we do, but they suddenly aren't meant to be funny) because the story becomes tense. This challenging shift may lose some viewers, but it's ultimately what makes this a memorable film. Disguised as a quirky comedy, the film reveals itself to be an intimate look at the underbelly of human nature.
There aren't many films I can compare this to, particularly not any blockbuster Hollywood productions. But if you've seen the Christina Ricci film "Pumpkin" (a satire about a snobby sorority chick who falls for a disabled kid), or the unknown gem "Great World of Sound" (a silly yet sobering flick about sleazy profiteers in the music industry), that'll give you an idea of what to expect in "Price Check". A more popular film I'm reminded of is "The Informant!" with Matt Damon playing a goofy character caught up in the dirty world of economic crimes (based on the true story of the Archer Daniels Midland price fixing scandal). None of these comedies will have you rolling with laughter, but perhaps better, they'll lead you on a whimsical tour of some heavy societal problems we face. One thing's for sure, if you like well-made, well-acted, oddball movies that defy categorization, "Price Check" is for you.
With the DVD cover pumping up our expectations with quips like "Posey is hilarious in this!" it's hard not to be disappointed when you realize this is more of a drama than a comedy. True, she brings to the table the same lovable goofiness, as neurotic as Tina Fey on crack, but where it breaks from her typical roles is that her character "Susan" in this film can be a thoroughly reprehensible person, and this complex dichotomy forces us to take her character more seriously than her typical lovable nerd roles. Imagine a very lovable, innocent, quirky personality like, say, Sheldon on Big Bang Theory. But now make that character do some pretty rotten things like, say, kicking cute puppies. The love/hate dichotomy might freak you out. It will either scare off the Posey fans or draw them in with curiosity as it did me.
If you remember the 80s sitcom Taxi and Danny Devito's odd character "Louie" the lovable scumbag who, if you were to meet in real life, wouldn't be worth the saliva to spit on him with, Posey gives us a similar feeling. Her character is the personification of everything that's wrong with corporate culture: sneaky, self-serving, without ethics, hypocritical and borderline depraved. Posey pulls it off brilliantly with her over-the-top quirkiness, and it may take you 30-45 minutes to figure out that she isn't really the "hero" of the story, she's more like a dark Mephisophelean force who is corrupting the good guy.
Midway, the film takes a dark turn and after that we don't get many funny gags (or perhaps we do, but they suddenly aren't meant to be funny) because the story becomes tense. This challenging shift may lose some viewers, but it's ultimately what makes this a memorable film. Disguised as a quirky comedy, the film reveals itself to be an intimate look at the underbelly of human nature.
There aren't many films I can compare this to, particularly not any blockbuster Hollywood productions. But if you've seen the Christina Ricci film "Pumpkin" (a satire about a snobby sorority chick who falls for a disabled kid), or the unknown gem "Great World of Sound" (a silly yet sobering flick about sleazy profiteers in the music industry), that'll give you an idea of what to expect in "Price Check". A more popular film I'm reminded of is "The Informant!" with Matt Damon playing a goofy character caught up in the dirty world of economic crimes (based on the true story of the Archer Daniels Midland price fixing scandal). None of these comedies will have you rolling with laughter, but perhaps better, they'll lead you on a whimsical tour of some heavy societal problems we face. One thing's for sure, if you like well-made, well-acted, oddball movies that defy categorization, "Price Check" is for you.
Almost completely terrible
Let me begin by saying I am a HUGE Parker Posey fan. I absolutely love her in just about everything she's done. And it really is thanks to her excellent performance in this movie that I gave it as many stars as I did. Unfortunately, despite Parker's best amazing efforts, the movie is very boring. It's like it wants to take off and go somewhere....and Parker is workin it like nobody's business....but it just continually flatlines. Eric Mabius tries his best too (such a cutie) and a pretty good actor. But as the old saying goes, you just can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear, and this film is a squealing sow. If you want to enjoy Parker in her full glory, check out some of her other fun flicks, like Best in Show, House of Yes, or Adam and Steve. But do yourself a favor and leave this particular movie on the shelf.
- harryjohnson2008
- Dec 4, 2012
- Permalink
Worth seeing to make you think about life choices
I really liked the first hour of this movie--really liked it. I liked the energy of the new boss, played by Parker Posey, (even though she's hard to take in many ways), and the fact that she inspires the just-get-through-the-day-in-a-job-we-don't-care-about office mates to care about their work. She's a Steve Jobs in drive and in treatment of her underlings, and I appreciate that a lot (the good and the bad of that). The whole office becomes glad for what they're getting to accomplish during the workday, which enriches their lives. They get a bonus doubled. Especially in this regard, I enjoyed how Eric Mabius's character (think: Jim Halpert) goes from wasted potential to useful, competent, better-paid worker and better provider for his family. I loved Annie Parisse as his wife. She's a mom, yet (don't take offense, moms!) beautiful, intelligent, sexually engaged, loving, and supportive to her husband. She's a fantastic, caring wife. They have a great, committed relationship and are a good model of a great marriage. And, Pete (Eric Mabius) is, like a few characters verbalize, a good, honorable, truthful guy who's intelligent and competent, but truly humble about himself. He's very likable. I like how Parker Posey as boss over Pete includes Sara (Annie Parisse) in work things and befriends her, almost as a safeguard to let Sara know that even though Pete and she are working closely together and hard on work stuff that she acknowledges that Pete is Sara's husband and not her (Parker's) love interest in any sense. So much positive is going on. The reason I gave the movie a 5, rather than an 8, is because I was so disappointed in what happened in the storyline in the last 45 minutes, both in actions that are taken and in the undeveloped resolution to the mistakes that were made. I'm glad the movie wound up in the end where it did, but I was in mourning for about 35 minutes as a few characters "go off the rails," so to speak. "Uggghhh. Oh, no. Oh, no. Don't become that!" was my response during that time. For me, it was brutal. I always enjoy movies in which good or bad characters have a choice, admit to themselves what the right action is, and then do what's right, even at great personal sacrifice, shame, or loss to themselves . . . out of love and care for others. Perhaps this movie makes the case for its viewers to be better than its characters by showing the significantly muted gains they experience by the film's end.
- claytonchurch1
- Jul 15, 2013
- Permalink
A movie that never quite gels
just as offbeat as one expects from a Parker Posey movie
Parker Posey has been one of the queens of the indies for the past two decades, and she extends this with Michael Walker's "Price Check", in which she plays a no-nonsense woman who becomes boss of a company. However, it negatively affects the home life of one of the employees.
Posey's character reminded me of her character in "The House of Yes": you grow to love them, but you'd probably be afraid to approach them. Eric Mabius's character starts out nothing like his character on "Ugly Betty", but becomes more like him. In the end, this is a movie that you truly have to appreciate: with limited resources, they made an infinitely better movie than anything that Michael Bay's ever made (as can be expected with indies). I recommend it.
Posey's character reminded me of her character in "The House of Yes": you grow to love them, but you'd probably be afraid to approach them. Eric Mabius's character starts out nothing like his character on "Ugly Betty", but becomes more like him. In the end, this is a movie that you truly have to appreciate: with limited resources, they made an infinitely better movie than anything that Michael Bay's ever made (as can be expected with indies). I recommend it.
- lee_eisenberg
- Jul 4, 2013
- Permalink
Flawed but enjoyable slice of life
- quitwhileyouareahead
- Aug 20, 2013
- Permalink
Why the low rating?
I did not expect anything, just watching it by accident. It kind of starts slowly and it does not turn into an action movie, but it was really good! It is not a blockbuster, more like an independent movie, but it was funny - at the same time it makes you think... What is important for you in your life? Money or happiness? All actors were great... it could be a real story. Maybe that girl who plays the boss is a little bit over acting, but maybe she has to. As you can see I do normally not review movies and I am not good at it, but I just found it unfair that this great movie gets such a low rating! So go and watch the movie and judge it by yourself. You will not waste your time, trust me.
Challenging but Satisfying
I wasn't really sure what I thought of this movie until the day after I saw it - which for me is one hallmark of a great film. This is a movie that appears to be one thing, a cynical office comedy, but ultimately turns out to be something completely different, a much deeper and satisfying look at contemporary American life.
When we first meet the Susan Felders, masterfully played by Parker Posey, we are tempted to see her as a larger than life and quite outrageous character. But by the end of the film, we get the clear realization that everything we've seen fits neatly within the prescribed limits of modern corporate norms.
The story is a kind of coming of age story for the protagonist Pete Cozy, competently played by Eric Mabius. It's interesting to note that Pete's struggle to find his place in the world during his 30's illuminates a kind of extended adolescence that has become a standard part of modern adult culture.
In many ways this movie reminds me of Up in the Air, which was one of my favorite films of 2009. It covers some of the same themes as that movie, but the characters are drawn with more subtlety here and the situations are more ordinary. Both films provide a commentary on modern American social structures with the corporation as the central gathering point. Whereas Up in the Air presented characters of mythical and almost melodramatic scope, here we see nitty-gritty scenes with very recognizable characters and motivations.
All in all, a very nice film.
When we first meet the Susan Felders, masterfully played by Parker Posey, we are tempted to see her as a larger than life and quite outrageous character. But by the end of the film, we get the clear realization that everything we've seen fits neatly within the prescribed limits of modern corporate norms.
The story is a kind of coming of age story for the protagonist Pete Cozy, competently played by Eric Mabius. It's interesting to note that Pete's struggle to find his place in the world during his 30's illuminates a kind of extended adolescence that has become a standard part of modern adult culture.
In many ways this movie reminds me of Up in the Air, which was one of my favorite films of 2009. It covers some of the same themes as that movie, but the characters are drawn with more subtlety here and the situations are more ordinary. Both films provide a commentary on modern American social structures with the corporation as the central gathering point. Whereas Up in the Air presented characters of mythical and almost melodramatic scope, here we see nitty-gritty scenes with very recognizable characters and motivations.
All in all, a very nice film.
- wild-peister
- Dec 28, 2012
- Permalink
Not for the PC police.
Worth seeing - low rating be damned
Dealing with Reality
I saw the movie on Netflix while browsing randomly and quite enjoyed it. Pete Cozy is a good guy who seems to have made some compromises around his career (really wanting to pursue music) but settles for an average job and then enters Susan his new boss and things change. The movie depicts very well how money can be seductive and change you; you can't help but feel bad for Pete in the beginning and perhaps even relate with him at many levels (esp if you have struggled in an industry where it really is tough get a break) and eventually settled for a regular 9 to 5. Parker Rosey is a delight as the ruthless new Boss. The transition of Pete and his wife, the change that money brings to them is interesting to watch. How i wish the movie would have ended with Pete pursuing a career in music leading a humble lifestyle but indeed it is sad how some of the external factors in our lives can shape our choices I thought it ended sadly :(
This Office flick checks out OK!
The "Price Check" is right, so come on down and check out this witty independent movie about the supermarket corporate world. Indie-Queen Parker Posey stars as Susan Felders, a hard-knox executive of a Supermarket chain who relocates from Los Angeles to Long Island to head up a struggling regional office of the chain. The employees at the regional office are first intimated by Susan's aggressive approach, so its not like they were "Desperately Seeking Susan" to head up their office. One of the employees is the centerpiece of "Price Check", and that would be the mild-mannered Long Island family man Pete Cozy. Pete is not exactly cozy with his employee situation in making chump change for a job he does not like but needs, but that changes when Susan comes in the picture. Susan takes an unorthodox liking to Pete, and even doubles his salary and gives him a promotion to Vice President. Pete gladly accepts due to his economic situation, even though what Pete profoundly wants is to go back into the music business. Susan eventually gets a bit too cozy with Pete, and that is when Pete goes down the wrong isle in "Price Check". Writer-Director Michael Walker did a modest labor effort in orchestrating & scribing "Price Check" at a low cost. It still boggles my mind why Parker Posey, who has starred in a plethora of independent films, has never reached movie stardom in studio pictures. Maybe she just loves the independent world where the filmmakers can get a bang our their buck in what they pay her to headline their films. The rest of the cast in "Price Check" did not check out too great with their performances including Eric Marbius as Pete Cozy. But maybe it was that compared to Posey, they were in the wrong thespian market. OK, time for a Pun Check! What that meant is that Posey is a much better actor than the rest of the cast of "Price Check". OK, its time for me to move on to another pun isle in my cheesy movie review market. But whenever you get a chance, check out "Price Check". **** Good
MUCH better than the rating!!
This is a somewhat low key not well known Parker Posey Movie. Is is NOT a comedy, but has some funny moments. It is if anything a very interesting and fun to watch Drama about how easily life can change due to other changes or choices around one self.
The acting is very engaging and great all around. Parker is in her element as "Susan" the boss that has to have it all, and will do literally almost anything to get it.
It is not quite real life, but close enough that it makes you think a lot about what is happening could be real.
A great movie, that sadly was not quite a comedy, but marketed as one.
Great