Competent but uninspired documentary about an actress who was fired from a play directed by Woody Allen. Feeling hurt and rejected, she made this film to explore what effects getting fired can have on a person's mental state and sense of self-worth. Her conclusions are hardly stunning: I think we all know that getting fired can lead to depression and feelings of inadequecy, right? Participants in the film range from celebrities (Tim Allen, Andy Dick, etc.) to the most humble of blue-collar workers. Interesting viewing, but not mandatory.
When actress Annabelle Gurwitch was fired from a play by Woody Allen she wondered how she would cope with being fired by a cultural icon. Turning to friends in show business she was assured she was n...( read more )ot alone. Once the subject had been broached, everyone she knew from her rabbi and gynecologists to her colleagues had advice and their own accounts of getting the boot to offer. This set her off on a journey to answer the question: was being fired going to be the best thing or worst thing that had happened in her working life. Annabelle turned the wit and trauma of the ?fired? experience into a book, which was recently published by Simon and Schuster. The book has received rave reviews and been featured on The Today Show, People Magazine, InStyle, CNN, NPR?s Talk of the Nation and widely praised. The Washington Post called it, ?a caustic but merry compendium of failure.? The New York Times said, ?Fired proves that sometimes losing well is the best revenge.? The book has been number #1 on the New York Post Hot List and featured in Oprah?s Anticipation list. As she was writing the book she became interested in the downsizings occurring all over the country. She began researching and traveling the country, interviewing people as diverse as Tim Allen, Sarah Silverman, Jeff Garlin, Anne Meara, David Cross and GM workers in Lansing, Michigan whose perspectives ranged from the tragically comedic to proving that old adage when one door closes another door opens, to the just plain tragic. Annabelle attended job fairs, received ?outplacement services?, interviewed human resource directors, downsizers, and the downsized who were seeking new jobs. Her journey took her to the office of Robert Reich, former Labor Secretary under President Clinton, and to economist Ben Stein who spoke to her of the growing insecurity the American worker faces today and the incredible inequities being created through corporate and government policies affecting every working or as the case may be, not working American. Fired! reminds us that all great success come out of failure and being fired can be a part of the growth process, that humor helps, and that if you?re employed in America today your firing may be both the best and the worst thing that can happen in your working life. Directed by: Chris Bradley, Kyle Labrach
Some of the stories are really interesting. I really liked that Dana Gould was trying to become a successful actor so he could pursue his real dream of screen writing.
I couldn't seem to find a point to this movie/documentary. A girl got fired, she was bitter, end of story. No inspiration, forced comedy, and solely relied on the humour of others contributions to the film to be much of anything.
I want absolutely NOTHING to do with anything even remotely connected to that SICKO, Woody Allen! YUCK. I even despise that I just typed his name! GROSS ME OUT!
Sounds like she needs to find a new job and stop crying about it. Some people only want to tell the world nothing is ever their fault and live off others forever. She needs to find something she can do besides capitalize off the everybody is picking on me scenario!
MCT:October 5, 2007
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