Parents' Guide to

Get a Job

By S. Jhoanna Robledo, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Predictable workplace comedy has drugs, sex, swearing.

Movie R 2016 82 minutes
Get a Job Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 17+

Based on 1 parent review

Darwin A.
Darwin A. Adult
March 23, 2018
age 17+
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

Will (Miles Teller) needs to GET A JOB. He's fresh out of college, somewhat aimless, and not very interested in the boring corporate world. But with few other prospects, he lands a position making recruiting videos. While Will sees plenty of ways he can inject some creativity into the staid films, his suit-wearing bosses have other plans, and Will needs to find a way to conform to their expectations without selling out his artistic vision. Meanwhile, his girlfriend, Jillian (Anna Kendrick), is facing sudden and unexpected unemployment, and his roommates are also trying to take their first step on the career ladder.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1 ):
Kids say (4 ):

Get a Job has a simple premise that should have wide appeal, but its dumbed-down approach will likely strike home for only the most juvenile viewers. (That is, people who might find humor in sexual harassment and trying to cheat on drug tests.) It's neither original nor clever, and its career advice isn't likely to help most young people succeed.

The film does boast a strong cast, though they're mostly wasted. Bryan Cranston is appealing as an older job-seeker who's becoming disheartened (though his storyline is implausible and unentertaining), while Alison Brie's one-note supporting role as lusty co-worker with boundary issues isn't particularly funny. And Marcia Gay Harden's domineering boss is simply repulsive. Get a Job needs to quit and go home.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how Get a Job portrays drinking and drug use. How do marijuana and other drugs fit into the characters' work habits? Do you think the film glorifies drug use?

  • What role does sex play in the characters's lives? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.

  • How does the movie portray the corporate world? Do you think the behavior shown here would be tolerated in real offices? Would it help people get ahead?

Movie Details

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