Critic Reviews
-
Tom Huddlestone, Time Out
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.
-
Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times
You watch Management thinking of the comedy Aniston and Zahn could have made, and wishing you were watching that movie instead.
-
Troy Melhus, Minneapolis Star Tribune
Random weirdness aside, Belber telegraphs this story arc from Sue's first drop-in to Podunk. Message received. No surprises here.
-
Tom Long, Detroit News
Management has two things going for it: Steve Zahn and Jennifer Aniston. Luckily, those are two very good things.
-
Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune
Padding disguised as a feature-length screenplay.
-
Ben Mankiewicz, At the Movies
Ultimately the second half completely undermined the first half.
-
Nick Rogers, Suite101.com
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.
-
Sean Axmaker, Seanax.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.
-
S. Jhoanna Robledo, Common Sense Media
So-so romcom about unlikely couple isn't too racy for teens.
-
Anne Wollenberg, Film4
Not the funny, sunny romp the trailer promises, but a weary, weak attempt at romantic comedy that's far from feelgood.
-
Toby Young, Times [UK]
For the most part, Management avoids the standard rom-com clichés in favour of something more delicate and heartfelt.
-
Peter Bradshaw, Guardian [UK]
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.
-
David Edwards, Daily Mirror [UK]
Doing nothing to disprove the so-called Curse Of Friends is haphazard rom-com Management.
-
Martin Hoyle, Financial Times
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.
-
Allan Hunter, Daily Express
Zahn is adorable and Jennifer Aniston brings an endearing tartness to Sue but even their best efforts don't redeem the muddle of Management.
-
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall
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.
-
Matthew Turner, ViewLondon
Enjoyably offbeat indie romcom that's never particularly funny but gradually wins you over, thanks to a quirky, unpredictable script and great performances.
-
Prairie Miller, NewsBlaze
Possibly borrowing a bit from the breakout success of Knocked Up and its notion of upscale women dating down, way down, this smitten stalker comedy aims for the sweeter side of creepy behavior when it comes to romance.
-
Jeff Vice, Deseret News, Salt Lake City
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.
-
Robert W. Butler, Kansas City Star
Gentle, goofy and never mean, Management isn't earth-shaking. But it's a fuzzy warm blanket of a movie.
Read all 21 critic reviews
Featured Audience Ratings
-
A little indie romcom about a seemingly odd couple who find a way through their apparent differences, fueled entirely by the appealing warmth of it's leads. Still the story sort of meanders around some making for some dull stretches.
-
Sweet, touching and surprise dramedy (comedy-drama) about love and insecurities. Jennifer Aniston had plenty of charisma as always but the film belongs undeniably to Steve Zahn. He is the type of actor who may not be an Oscar caliber yet, possibly because of his goofy presence, he… More
Sweet, touching and surprise dramedy (comedy-drama) about love and insecurities. Jennifer Aniston had plenty of charisma as always but the film belongs undeniably to Steve Zahn. He is the type of actor who may not be an Oscar caliber yet, possibly because of his goofy presence, he does have the talent and the heart to get the job done.
The chemistry between Aniston and Zahn was real. Thumbs up!
-
Wish I could give this one star because Zahn & Aniston are fun to watch but the film's so cliche, predictable & dumb that I just can't
-
I have watched this movie all the way through and I must say that this took some time and several sittings.
Why? Because it was boring and contrived.
It wants to be an indie film so badly that it works in these forced, impossible awkward moments which, while played very well by… More
I have watched this movie all the way through and I must say that this took some time and several sittings.
Why? Because it was boring and contrived.
It wants to be an indie film so badly that it works in these forced, impossible awkward moments which, while played very well by Zahn and Harrelson, the other players just cannot pull it off.
Aniston cannot work in this part. She comes off as a brooding 'Rachel' (yes, I know that this line is cliche, but true). I'm sorry to say that as I think she has potential ("The Good Girl" showcasing some of this), but as much as I want to like her in this I cannot. She is a bad fit. Maybe Zooey Deschanel would have been better?
Woody Harrelson is great as always, but again how does this work into the point of the film?
This is a mish-mash of potential interest that crashes together and comes up pretty empty.
See it if you must for a few funny moments with Harrelson and Zahn as well as a few funny scenes, but really there is so much better you could do with your time.
2.5 stars.
-
Jennifer Aniston, Steve Zahn, James Hiroyuki, Woody Harrelson, Margo Martindale, Fred Ward
A traveling art saleswoman tries to shake off a flaky motel manager who falls for her and won't leave her alone.
I really liked it. Very different from other romance comedies I have… More
Jennifer Aniston, Steve Zahn, James Hiroyuki, Woody Harrelson, Margo Martindale, Fred Ward
A traveling art saleswoman tries to shake off a flaky motel manager who falls for her and won't leave her alone.
I really liked it. Very different from other romance comedies I have seen. Steve Zahn is a favorite of mine, I think he's hilarious. He knows how to be funny without trying so hard. Thought the movie was little quirky and very sweet. Good little love story.
-
Strange comedy drama with foolish characters. Steve Zahn basically plays a stalker and Aniston is supposed to just take this in stride. Additionally the two of them have no chemistry. A shame since Zahn is usually so appealing.
-
I thought it was quirky and cute... I thought Steve Zahn was very endearing too. It was pretty okay in my book.
-
The story is horrible and the characters are absurd. Its also a fucking snooze.
-
Not Jennifer Aniston's best, but kind of liked it. Both characters in this are kind of dysfunctional, which appealed to me, and I did like the setting at the motel. Don't know how many more times Jen can play a pregnant woman, though.
-
[Steve Zahn] is the single biggest reason why Management is a delightfully screwball romantic comedy and not a crazed-stalker film.
-
<i>"A touching comedy"</i>
A traveling art saleswoman tries to shake off a flaky motel manager who falls for her and won't leave her alone.
<center><font size=+2 face="Century… More
<i>"A touching comedy"</i>
A traveling art saleswoman tries to shake off a flaky motel manager who falls for her and won't leave her alone.
<center><font size=+2 face="Century Schoolbook"><b><u>REVIEW</u></b></font></center>
By no means will this be the most successful movie of any given time period, genre, or actor in it, but that has no bearing on the actual content of the film. Jennifer Aniston plays Sue, the equivalent of the modern "frigid bitch". So entrenched with her crappy job (a clever statement in and of itself; selling bland corporate art), she has completely forgotten to even search for happiness of fulfillment in her life. Through a business trip she meets an unlikely Steve Zahn, who's the night manager of his parents' motel. He's certainly a man-child at this point, and through awkward,an uncomfortable dialogue Aniston allows him to feel her butt. Although the action of the scene is seemingly sexual, the tone of it and of the film are completely emotional. What's essential to grasp the film is the sense of desperation these two have, and after each awkward and unsuccessful interaction there's a moment where they both pause, rethink the events, consider facing each other again, and give up only to immediately regret it. None of it's spoken (which may confuse some viewers), but it's what drives the romance throughout the film; the fact that, although Aniston's in no way in touch with her emotions and Zahn is not the brightest, there is something alluring there that keeps them in contact and changes them both.
I think people sell its subtly short, but if you're willing to think for yourself, you may enjoy it. It has all the quirk and humor one expects from a good indie.
-
Solid acting and great all-around film. Steve Zahn played a tone-down guy which is rarely to see and Aniston played her usual beautiful yet simple woman. The movie might be slow-played and might seem longer that it really is but it was great and sometimes when you least expect for… More
Solid acting and great all-around film. Steve Zahn played a tone-down guy which is rarely to see and Aniston played her usual beautiful yet simple woman. The movie might be slow-played and might seem longer that it really is but it was great and sometimes when you least expect for things to go your way just one day all can change..
Management chronicles the chance meeting of Mike Cranshaw (Zahn) and Sue Claussen (Aniston) when she checks into the roadside motel owned by Mike's parents in Arizona. A bottle of wine 'compliments of management' jump starts the cross-country journey and unique courtship between two different kinds of people who are both ultimately looking for the same thing - a sense of happiness. Mike sees something special in button downed Sue that inspires him to take a chance and hit the road to go after her. But once he reaches Maryland, he finds that Sue has no place for an aimless dreamer in her carefully ordered life. Obsessed with making a difference in the world, Sue falls back in with her punk-turned-Yogurt mogul ex-boyfriend Jango (Harrelson), who promises her a chance to head his charity operations. But having finally found something worth fighting for, Mike puts his hops against her practicality, and the two embark on a twisted, bumpy, ultimately freeing journey to discover that their place in the world just might be together.
-
Speaking of movies I unexpectedly like, I actually quite adore Management. I'm a big fan of Steve Zahn (underrated), and Jennifer Anison is at her best when she's clueless and understatedly goofy. The story is pretty loopy, but in an endearing rom-com sort of way, the… More
Speaking of movies I unexpectedly like, I actually quite adore Management. I'm a big fan of Steve Zahn (underrated), and Jennifer Anison is at her best when she's clueless and understatedly goofy. The story is pretty loopy, but in an endearing rom-com sort of way, the Zahn-Aniston duo became very appealing. It's somewhat predictable and weirdly poignant at times, and that's why it's satisfying.
-
How to make an indie rom-com: find two charming stars and walk them through a series of possibly preposterous but definitely quirky situations as they slowly stumble towards each other. Make no mistake, this is not a good movie. But if the two charming stars are the seriously… More
How to make an indie rom-com: find two charming stars and walk them through a series of possibly preposterous but definitely quirky situations as they slowly stumble towards each other. Make no mistake, this is not a good movie. But if the two charming stars are the seriously wonderful Steve Zahn and the seriously miscast Jennifer Aniston, I'm there. Zahn makes it almost worthwhile. But lordy is there a lot to put up with in the getting there.
-
A predictable dramedy that hits on familiar emotional beats, but one that has some really great chemistry between Zahn and Aniston. Aniston plays a character she's essentially played numerous times, but does it in a much different manner, more subdued and low-key, which I found… More
A predictable dramedy that hits on familiar emotional beats, but one that has some really great chemistry between Zahn and Aniston. Aniston plays a character she's essentially played numerous times, but does it in a much different manner, more subdued and low-key, which I found to be a refreshing change for her. It's definitely uneven, with some pacing issues, but all-in-all it works as a heartfelt romantic comedy.
3/5 Stars
-
Could it have been better? Yes. But it was sweet enough, and its performers were charming enough to keep me interested and allow me to look past the questionably pardoned behavior of its leading man.
-
Steve Zahn's performance is the best reason to check out this film. This film took me by surprise. Zahn gives a really good performance, one of his best. Both him and Aniston have really good on screen chemistry. Even Woody Harrelson is hilarious as Zahn's rival in the film.… More
Steve Zahn's performance is the best reason to check out this film. This film took me by surprise. Zahn gives a really good performance, one of his best. Both him and Aniston have really good on screen chemistry. Even Woody Harrelson is hilarious as Zahn's rival in the film. I definitely recommend this film.
-
At this point in Aniston's career, she can sell just about anything. However, the big budget cast in this low budget Indie is not enough to save it from coming off bland.
-
I would not categorize this movie as a comedy, it is more like a drama than anything else. Jennifer Aniston plays the part of an art saleswoman who travels to a small town to sell art to an office. She checks in to a local motel and meets an employee of the motel. This employee is the… More
I would not categorize this movie as a comedy, it is more like a drama than anything else. Jennifer Aniston plays the part of an art saleswoman who travels to a small town to sell art to an office. She checks in to a local motel and meets an employee of the motel. This employee is the son of the motel-owner and he immediately falls in love with this attractive lady. He follows her around and won't leave her alone. This movie was easy to watch and I'm sorry to say that I found it a bit boring. It never had any wow-moments and I didn't even know when the climax of the movie was. The best thing about this movie was the beautiful Miss Jennifer Aniston.
-
I have been trying to find a bad joke about management on the web and use it instead of a review as this is how the film made me feel for the most part of it. It was painfully slow to start with and the storyline went on to be less and less believable as it went on hence loosingthis… More
I have been trying to find a bad joke about management on the web and use it instead of a review as this is how the film made me feel for the most part of it. It was painfully slow to start with and the storyline went on to be less and less believable as it went on hence loosingthis reality bites factor that it could have gained on the way. Steve is actually delivery a solid performance and Woody is a pleasure to watch.
Read all 20 featured audience ratings
Currently unavailable on Flixster
Also available on
Other Retailers
Subscription Services