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Movies / Upcoming / Management
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.

Runtime: 1 hr 34 mins

Genre: Comedies

US 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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Reviews for Management

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
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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]
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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]
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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 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

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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