-By Justin Lowe
For movie details, please click here.
A prime example of the type of well-produced, smartly cast
independent features that Sundance has been helping launch into the
theatrical marketplace over the past few years,
Price Check
hits enough sweet notes to support a broad art-house release.
Pete Cozy (Eric Mabius) works as a mid-level manager at the
headquarters of a regional supermarket chain in Long Island,
although he’d rather still be in the music industry. Regardless,
he’s happy to have a position without too much responsibility so
that he can spend more time with his wife Sara (Annie Parisse) and
son Henry (Finn Donoghue), despite the low salary and accumulating
credit-card debt.
When Pete’s supervisor in the pricing department leaves the
company, the position is filled by Susan Felders (Parker Posey), a
transfer from the corporate office, rumored to be “a real
ball-buster” according to one co-worker. When she arrives, however,
Susan proves to be an effective team player—a straight-talking,
free-cussing fireball determined to reshape the department and the
store chain into a powerhouse within the larger corporation.
She makes some quick changes at the office, promoting Pete to a VP
position and doubling his salary, which pleases his wife, but
increases his workload. Single and new in town, Susan quickly works
her way into Pete’s family life, inviting herself to his son’s
school Halloween party and palling up to his wife. As the extra
workload adds up to more hours in the office and an L.A. business
trip with his boss, Pete and Susan spend an increasing amount of
time together, much to the concern of his wife.
Walker’s script demonstrates an innate familiarity with office
politics and the power plays that form the strategic basis for
climbing the corporate ladder. Realistic situations, sharp dialogue
and clever humor contribute to the overall authenticity of the
workplace atmosphere. Walker directs with precision and production
values are excellent overall.
As Pete’s boss, Sundance veteran Posey brings a certain gonzo
enthusiasm to the office setting, pulling off the role with expert
comic timing. Essentially playing her straight man, Mabius keeps
his performance dialed back to extract the humor from an abundance
of awkward setups. The supporting cast of co-workers is solid
without overshadowing the leads. Music by Luna’s Dean Wareham and
Britta Phillips provides the right plaintive note to undercut some
of the more overbearing humor.
—
The Hollywood Reporter
Film Review: Price Check
A workplace comedy that knows how to mine a substantial vein of situational humor.
Nov 14, 2012
-By Justin Lowe
For movie details, please click here.
A prime example of the type of well-produced, smartly cast independent features that Sundance has been helping launch into the theatrical marketplace over the past few years,
Price Check hits enough sweet notes to support a broad art-house release.
Pete Cozy (Eric Mabius) works as a mid-level manager at the headquarters of a regional supermarket chain in Long Island, although he’d rather still be in the music industry. Regardless, he’s happy to have a position without too much responsibility so that he can spend more time with his wife Sara (Annie Parisse) and son Henry (Finn Donoghue), despite the low salary and accumulating credit-card debt.
When Pete’s supervisor in the pricing department leaves the company, the position is filled by Susan Felders (Parker Posey), a transfer from the corporate office, rumored to be “a real ball-buster” according to one co-worker. When she arrives, however, Susan proves to be an effective team player—a straight-talking, free-cussing fireball determined to reshape the department and the store chain into a powerhouse within the larger corporation.
She makes some quick changes at the office, promoting Pete to a VP position and doubling his salary, which pleases his wife, but increases his workload. Single and new in town, Susan quickly works her way into Pete’s family life, inviting herself to his son’s school Halloween party and palling up to his wife. As the extra workload adds up to more hours in the office and an L.A. business trip with his boss, Pete and Susan spend an increasing amount of time together, much to the concern of his wife.
Walker’s script demonstrates an innate familiarity with office politics and the power plays that form the strategic basis for climbing the corporate ladder. Realistic situations, sharp dialogue and clever humor contribute to the overall authenticity of the workplace atmosphere. Walker directs with precision and production values are excellent overall.
As Pete’s boss, Sundance veteran Posey brings a certain gonzo enthusiasm to the office setting, pulling off the role with expert comic timing. Essentially playing her straight man, Mabius keeps his performance dialed back to extract the humor from an abundance of awkward setups. The supporting cast of co-workers is solid without overshadowing the leads. Music by Luna’s Dean Wareham and Britta Phillips provides the right plaintive note to undercut some of the more overbearing humor.
—
The Hollywood Reporter
