Haiku Tunnel

Ok, first of all, I decided to rent this movie hoping for another Office Space - A movie I absolutely loved! There did seem to be some similarities, in particular, the strong use of minor characters. For example, Harry Sheerer and Helen -the former S&M employee who calls Josh from her basement holding the phone with a kleenex while holding a flashlight under her face - were great. I also loved the part where the, I assume gay, secretary is complaining about how his weekend was ruined. While the story isn't the most interesting, it doesn't really need to be. I felt a lot of the humour came from the smaller things like the minor characters, some funny lines, and situations. I think if people could watch this movie twice, they would like it more. Give the Kornbluth's a break. This was a low budget film and a first time effort. I think you'll see some better stuff from these guys in the future.

I don't understand why people gave this film such harsh criticism. For a comedy, it really hit a nerve, and that's no easy task. It's a satire and a cynical analysis of the modern workplace and the ridiculousness that comes with mindless desk jobs. The main character was clearly not meant for a 9 to 5 routine, and this film showed what happens to creative people stuck in a cubicle all day long: they get depressed and create mind games to maintain their sanity. I thought this film did a very good job in showing that the regimentation of corporate life is not conducive or compatible with free thought. The characterizations of the boss, coworkers, and the head secretary were very funny. This film reminds me why corporate America is failing. The dismal, over regimented conditions are not compatible with free thought, and for the writer to show this in the context of a comedy makes it all the more clever. I really don't understand how people could not see this point. It's an enjoyable and well made little film that takes you inside the mind of an inconspicuous office "temp". It's very funny.

That Josh Kornbluth is a cross between the young Zero Mostel and the not-so-young Woody Allen. He is the epitome of the schlemiel, which makes me realize that if you're Jewish, you will find it hilarious, but if you're a WASP (like my wife) you won't think it's funny, but sad. The poor guy... he needs help. That's why this permanent 'temp' becames tempted to 'perm.' He'll take a permanent job because the law firm will cover his psychotherapy. He's desperately in need of psychotherapy, and he seems to know it, but there's no indication he's in it, except that he's prone to free-associate, and so his unconscious spills onto he screen and into your lap, which gives the viewer mixed feelings. He talks to the audience, he has fantasies, he gets back to the plot, and new characters come on. The funniest is when he starts lying to a paralegal and she is so enchanted in his story that he's a full-time tax attorney who writes novels on the side. This is very similar to a recent New Yorker short story, which I think is by the same guy. He milks the situation of lying in order to get a gal in bed, and then guilt and inability to keep up the lies, and get kicked out of bed. It is clear he would rather sleep than screw, which indicates his need for therapy, one of these chronic lowgrade depressions that don't respond to Prozac or Paxil.

While this film has its moments of "corporate spoof," I wouldn't say that's its main thrust. Haiku Tunnel reminds me more of The Critic, in that it seems to exist in its own universe. The cleverness of the writing brought me right into that universe, all the while knowing that the very surreal atmosphere in this guy's world was a near guarantee that everything would turn out okay. After a stressful work week myself, this was the perfect relief.

I would say I recommend this to the whole wide world, but judging from the other reviews here that would be silly. Some folks got into the humor, some did not. I must say I'm getting close to NOT reading the reviews of movies I loved, because the reviews are tending towards cruel. Haiku Tunnel does not deserve such treatment. And please, if you don't bother to watch a film all the way through, why bother reviewing it at all? I'm mystified.

Go with your instinct here, folks. It's obviously not for everyone, but I gave it a 10.

There's bug-eyed mugging, as in what Josh Kornbluth does a little too much in this film. And then there's the brutal mugging that this film is receiving here in IMDB comments. Ouch.

Much of the latter seems to stem around some resentment regarding this film and "Office Space." I've not seen the latter yet, but it seems to me "Haiku Tunnel" is a total ripoff of "Magnolia."

Kidding...kidding. That's my own little inside joke.

As for the jokes in here, I guess they might be somewhat inside. But I think if you've ever felt a bit like a stow-away on a job, you could connect with some of the alienation that Josh pokes fun at. All of the other characters here really are just foils for Josh, that might bug some folks.

Generally I found the amateurish charm to work here. I love "catalog" humor, and we get some of that early on in regards to types of fellow temps and types of lawyers. Quick flicks through stereotypes work for me usually. The film does slow down (as almost all comedies do) towards the end, when the plot piper must be paid.

Along those lines, in a bad horror film, I often will want to yell at the screen "Call the cops...NOW!" During this film, you will likely reach a point, as my wife and I did, where you will want to scream, "Mail the damned letters...NOW!" But we both did laugh throughout this. She especially loved the scene where Josh's boss won't let him quit, especially during Josh's litany of reasons that he is a bad seed.

But why do so many people, so strongly dislike this film?

If I squint my memory, I can sort of reimagine Kornbluth as Garfield (the cat, not the president). Maybe that is why some folks find him so patently unfunny. Just thinking about a punchline involving "Lasagna" and that comic strip sets my blood to boiling. Could that be it?

Or maybe some of the smirks that Kornbluth lobs towards the camera have the effect on others that a laugh track has on me. This does have a bit of a sitcom feel, but at least it isn't dragged out over 100 episodes. And there are some unique idiosyncratic moments here.

Or perhaps some folks need to be able to identify with the main character in a comedy, and Josh comes across with a little too much self-confidence and well, a little too much self. It's okay for Bill Murray to have too much of the former, just like it's okay for Chris Farley to have too much of the latter. But put them in one body, and look out?

I don't know what it is. But evidently half of you out there really shouldn't see this film. Not even on cable, late at night. I decided to watch this after seeing the trailer along time ago, so maybe look at that first? Or cross-check my other reviews...I recommend this one with a

7/10

PS You can fault Kornbluth's sense of humor, but certainly not his taste in music! Great songs through-out.