Employee of the Month (PG-13)

Predictable, crude comedy aimed at teens.

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Common Sense rates it
2
Seen the movie? Review it
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Movie details
  • Studio: Lions Gate Entertainment, Lions Gate Entertainment
  • Directed By: Greg Coolidge
  • Cast: Dane Cook, Jessica Simpson, Dax Shepard
  • Running Time: 108 minutes
  • Release Date: 10/05/2006
  • Video/DVD Release Date: 01/16/2007
  • Genre: Comedy
  • MPAA Rating: PG-13
  • MPAA Explanation: crude and sexual humor, and language.

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that this movie -- which kids will want to see thanks to stars Dane Cook and Jessica Simpson -- is predictably rife with potty humor, foul-mouthed characters, sexual innuendo, and not-so-subtle racism and sexism -- which means kids will think it's a hoot. An African-American character is a dim-witted, gentle giant, while an Asian character willingly does favors for sweet treats. And let's not forget Hispanic nimrod Jorge with his vapid stare -- apparently Efren Ramirez (Pedro in Napoleon Dynamite) isn't too concerned about being typecast. In one scene, Jorge pulls a knife, and Vince says to him, "I thought you were Mexican, not Puerto Rican!" What century is this, again?

Families can talk about why such stupid stuff is so funny to kids. Make sure they get the fact that a lot of the movie relies on stereotypical behaviors and characters for its humor, and ask them to talk about how they recognize the difference between real life and comedic cliches. You can also use the movie to discuss acceptable ways to win someone's affections. What would have been a better way to impress the new girl? Is it ever OK to use questionable behavior to get ahead? And shouldn't Zack have tried harder at work because it's the right thing to do, rather than just to impress Amy?

Message

Social Behavior:

Various cultures (Asian, Hispanic, African American) are stereotyped. Male characters try to win a contest to have sex with a female character. A boy begs his mom to buy toys. Name-calling. A character slacks off at work.

Consumerism:

The movie is set at a giant warehouse store full of products, so if you can name it, it's probably in there: Folger's coffee, Charmin toilet paper, Milk Duds, Gummi Bear vitamins, Sharpie, Honda, Toyota Camry, Hummer remote control car, and lots more.

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Some minor drinking.

Violence

Slapstick violence. Characters run into a forklift, get caught in a cord and trip, fall off a counter, get hit with a locker door/mini-golf ball/tennis ball, collide while catching a baseball, and fall off an indoor porch swing.

Sex

Characters compete to have sex with a girl. A female character dresses provocatively in tight shirts with lots of cleavage. References to male genitals. A character stares at a woman's breasts. Sexual innuendoes and double meanings ("plant the seed").

Language

"Anal," "balls," "chicks," "butt," "s--t."

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Jane Boursaw

Vince Downey (Dax Shepard) and Zack Bradley (stand-up comic Dane Cook) both work at the massive Super Club store (think Sam's Club or Costco). But their careers have taken drastically different paths. In the 10 years he's been there, Vince has excelled, advancing to head cashier and winning 17 consecutive "Employee of the Month" awards, thanks in large part to his willing sidekick, Jorge (Efren Ramirez). Zack, on the other hand, is a total slacker who's still working as a box boy. But he changes his tune when the store hires gorgeous new cashier Amy (Jessica Simpson). After hearing that Amy sleeps with any guy who wins the monthly award, Zack decides to try to beat Vince at his own game.

Is it any good?

2

EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH is predictable and rife with innuendo and crude humor, but it has a few things going for it. Everyone can identify with mass consumerism run amok in these superstores, where products matter more than people and shoppers routinely walk out with truck-loads of Cheerios, Pepsi, and other "necessities" -- in that respect, the movie is reminiscent of Office Space set in a warehouse store.

Some of the best scenes feature Zack's buddies, played by Andy Dick (who, for once, isn't annoyingly hyper), Brian George, and Harland Williams. Simpson gives her usual bland performance, despite the blinding white teeth veneers. Tim Bagley is memorable as store boss Glen Gary, who shudders at the thought of his bullying brother (Danny Woodburn) -- named Glen Ross (David Mamet fans unite) -- paying a visit from Super Club's corporate offices. All in all, Employee of the Month falls far short of being truly memorable, but chances are it will still have a cult following among Cook's many fans.

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Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 24 reviews.

3


Posted on 01/29/08 by G3 Adult contributor
2


Posted on 11/25/07 by DexterSmith Adult contributor

Rude 'n crude, and not very funny

Sexual Content (Pause): The whole film is about two men trying to have sex with a female co-worker, who wears tight, revealing outfits throughout. There are some references to male genitals. A character with poor eyesight inadvertently stares at a woman's clothed breasts. Some innuendo. Violence (Not an Issue): Comic violence. Language (Pause): A few uses each of "f--k", "s--t", "d--k", "p----k", "ass" (two with "-hole"), "hell", "D**n", and "crap". Also some terms of deity being used as expletives. Social Behavior (Off): Asians, Hispanics, and African Americans are stereotyped. The plot of the film, which involves two men competing in a contest to have sex with a woman, is demeaning, sexist, and downright rude. A character repeatedly slacks off at work. Lots of crude humor. Commercialism (Off): The movie takes place at a warehouse containing LOTS of brand name products. Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco (Pause): Some drinking.
5


Posted on 10/31/07 by dood123 Kid contributor, age 13

best movie ever seen

it is a great movie best iv ever seen!!!
4

Posted on 09/04/07 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 11

funny

its an awsome movie watch it
5

Posted on 07/06/07 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 12

funny

hahahaha this movie is funny. love it.
5


Posted on 06/07/07 by MikaylaLovesEdwardCullen Kid contributor, age 12

This movie is soooo funny! I love it sooooo much!
2


Posted on 05/22/07 by bookworm112 Kid contributor, age 11

Horrible message, horrible movie

This movie is stupid and sexist. It portrays women as toys that men can fool around with(two men have a contest to sleep with a woman). The plot was boring. I am only giving this two stars because Jessica Simpson's acting was great. Don't watch this movie: horrible message, bad plot, and just simply boring.
3


Posted on 04/06/07 by save_the_tigers! Kid contributor, age 12

innapropriate for kids 14 and under

i've seen this movie and it is pretty funny and kinda cute but it is very innapropriate for young people. there's too much talk about stuff that young kids shouldnt be into or shouldnt see. the movie would've done a lot better if they chopped off a ton of the innapropriate things.
3


Posted on 03/11/07 by coolmandude Adult contributor
5

Posted on 03/05/07 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 13

awesome

this movie is the best movie ive ever seen. it is so hilarious although i dont recomend it for younger kids. i myself am 15 and it is so funny. but kids would not understand the humor.lol

See all 24 reviews >

Adult Reviews

There are 6 reviews.

3


Posted on 01/29/08 by G3 Adult contributor
2


Posted on 11/25/07 by DexterSmith Adult contributor

Rude 'n crude, and not very funny

Sexual Content (Pause): The whole film is about two men trying to have sex with a female co-worker, who wears tight, revealing outfits throughout. There are some references to male genitals. A character with poor eyesight inadvertently stares at a woman's clothed breasts. Some innuendo. Violence (Not an Issue): Comic violence. Language (Pause): A few uses each of "f--k", "s--t", "d--k", "p----k", "ass" (two with "-hole"), "hell", "D**n", and "crap". Also some terms of deity being used as expletives. Social Behavior (Off): Asians, Hispanics, and African Americans are stereotyped. The plot of the film, which involves two men competing in a contest to have sex with a woman, is demeaning, sexist, and downright rude. A character repeatedly slacks off at work. Lots of crude humor. Commercialism (Off): The movie takes place at a warehouse containing LOTS of brand name products. Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco (Pause): Some drinking.
3


Posted on 03/11/07 by coolmandude Adult contributor
5


Posted on 01/16/07 by Mr. Strong Adult contributor

Very good!

A very good movie for any one 10+.
0


Posted on 12/27/06 by familyof6 Adult contributor
2

Posted on 11/03/06 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Zzzzzzzzzzz

I took my 13 year old son and some of his friends to see this movie for his 13th birthday and even the kids were half asleep by the middle of the movie.They fool you into thinking this is a really funny movie with the previews on TV.I think the clips in the previews are the only funny parts in the entire movie.Waste of time and money.Jessica Simpson was a terrible actress also.

Kids Reviews

There are 18 reviews.

5


Posted on 10/31/07 by dood123 Kid contributor, age 13

best movie ever seen

it is a great movie best iv ever seen!!!
4

Posted on 09/04/07 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 11

funny

its an awsome movie watch it
5

Posted on 07/06/07 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 12

funny

hahahaha this movie is funny. love it.
5


Posted on 06/07/07 by MikaylaLovesEdwardCullen Kid contributor, age 12

This movie is soooo funny! I love it sooooo much!
2


Posted on 05/22/07 by bookworm112 Kid contributor, age 11

Horrible message, horrible movie

This movie is stupid and sexist. It portrays women as toys that men can fool around with(two men have a contest to sleep with a woman). The plot was boring. I am only giving this two stars because Jessica Simpson's acting was great. Don't watch this movie: horrible message, bad plot, and just simply boring.
3


Posted on 04/06/07 by save_the_tigers! Kid contributor, age 12

innapropriate for kids 14 and under

i've seen this movie and it is pretty funny and kinda cute but it is very innapropriate for young people. there's too much talk about stuff that young kids shouldnt be into or shouldnt see. the movie would've done a lot better if they chopped off a ton of the innapropriate things.
5

Posted on 03/05/07 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 13

awesome

this movie is the best movie ive ever seen. it is so hilarious although i dont recomend it for younger kids. i myself am 15 and it is so funny. but kids would not understand the humor.lol
5


Posted on 03/02/07 by misscompetitive Kid contributor, age 12

great

i thought this movie was so good the langaude was not good but it was very funny. i think that it is a good movie for people 9and up but some things were not the best but i think you should see this movie. the movie is about 2 guys who 1 guy who is always enploye of the mounth and then this other guy decides he is going to win for once and they really hate each other so that just makes it more funny XD
3


Posted on 02/19/07 by directerdude123 Kid contributor, age 13

it made me laugh

The movie was pritty funny and interesting but it got rather dull at some parts. If you didn't pay attention than you will think it is a waste of your time.
5

Posted on 02/17/07 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 8

GREAT MOVIE!!!

I'm watching this movie right now and its great WATCH IT!
See all 18 kids reviews >
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