Working Tra$h

There are plenty of laughs...... and a story line. I enjoyed more by watching again with commentaries. I haven't done this for a while. This commentary was informative and kept my attention. Facts like.... You find out this was Ben's first feature film. Buddy & Ben's input in the script. That they did their own stunts, except for one very dangerous one. A low budget film. The use of angles and lighting were exceptional. Although made in 1990, 16 years ago, it definitely seems more recent. In other words, the other reviewer did not give this film a fair chance. I have said as much as I can without this being a spoiler.

Ben Stiller's Seinfeld shtick ruins the already weak writing. George Carlin fans are the target audience today. I'd avoid this movie if you have no nostalgia with it.

"Working Trash" is watchable for the interesting pairing of George Carlin and Ben Stiller. Unfortunately the script, which has a promising premise, is underdeveloped, especially in regards to believability. The theme is somewhat similar to "Trading Places", however the result is inferior. Then again, this is a TV movie, so expectations should be less, and on that note, I suppose it delivers enough chuckles. Supporting roles by Buddy Ebson, and Michael J. Pollard are another plus. It is almost worth seeing just for some of George Carlin's outlandish costumes. Don't expect miracles and you might enjoy it. - MERK

A light-hearted but little-known comedy by two masters of the craft! We all miss George Carlin and wish that he was still with us. I'd like to add one piece of information. Although not mentioned in the credits of the movie, nor in the cast listing in IMDb, the George Carlin character "Ralph" the janitor did have a last name, which was mentioned orally at least once in the movie (the final scene). Ralph's surname is SAWATZKY(a German Mennonite name originally of Ukrainian or Slavic origin, common in North America, especially in the West and Midwest)- the reason I remember that, is that it resembles my own name, Ralph Watzke. People often confuse the names Sawatzky and Watzke. I even considered suing for appropriating my identity, but never pursued it!

Every once in a while there comes a movie who's title could be used as a review for the movie. This is that movie.

I can't tell you that much about Working Trash being that I turned it off after about 20 minutes from the sheer agony it was causing me and the others in the room watching it. Yes this movie may have Ben Stiller, George Carlin and even voice of Homer Simpson (Dan Castellaneta), but none of them had a hope of helping save this.

I had trouble when I tried to categorize this film. Apparently blockbuster claims it is a comedy. The only joke here is that this movie made it on to the shelf.