The Office (2005-2013)

Title: The Office

Year: 2005-2013

Genre: Comedy |

Seasons: 1 |2 |3 |4 |5 |6 |7 |8 |9 |

Runtime: 22 min/Episode

Creator: Greg Daniels & Ricky Gervais

Starring: Steve Carell, John Krasinski, Rainn Wilson

 8,8/10

A mockumentary on a group of typical office workers, where the workday consists of ego clashes, inappropriate behavior, and tedium.

AN AUTHENTIC FUN WAY

TO DEPICT AN ORDINARY WORKPLACE

The Office has a fresh way in storytelling on how to build an interesting environment based on a typical office setting. There is like fourteen workers in this show with some extras or guest stars. The unique in this show, that extract itself from others, is that it is filmed as a documentary, which means that this show is played out in a mockumentary-style. I don’t like the style, in general, but these characters well- most of them feel authentic and brings something personal to the main story. The plot is very simple as it follows Steve Carell’s character around the office and the others on a regular basis as he is the Regional Manager.

Steve Carell has always been a comedian to me, at least. He has some very funny roles throughout the years of his career, even though he has taken more dramatic roles. And he’s even better at evolving those character than in his comedian way. He’s good in either direction. And thanks to A 40-Year Old Virgin, he managed to prove himself to what qualities he has. He owns the roles he has, often. He has a very pleasant approach and even if his spontaneous acting various in a show like The Office. He knows what he’s doing and how he’s going to convey his character, Michael Scott.

The documentary style might be cheap for some but the acting, editing and some of the writing makes it all fun to watch and follow all these characters. Beside Michael as the main character, Jim Halpert (John Krasinski), Pam Beely (Jenna Fischer) and Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson); these are all the major characters.

Jim has a love-and friendship base with Pam and these two usually pranks with Dwight around the office. As the series movies along, more of their personality is given. They evolve and develop few series manages to do in this format. The show is an American adaptation of the British version of comedy around the workplace. It’s around twenty minutes runtime each episode and it has a depth to each character it hard to replace or establish. But they succeeded big with this one. They’ve worked very hard on characterization on every character and every new season feels refreshing and deals with the big dramas in an efficient and mature way of dealing with it.

B.J Novak and Mindy Kaling are one of the writers of the show and among the cast in returning roles. Novak’s character has charisma which Kaling’s doesn’t. She’s just stupid and annoying. She is just there to has a part in one of these episodes and doesn’t really have a good function for the plot itself. When Ed Helms is arriving at The Office, he’s just as annoying as always.

One dilemma with this show, it’s that it sorts of grows and sticks with you along the way. Most of the show brings new and fresh content and as the series progress – the interviews decrease and I’m thankful for that. It’s worth a watch, at least the first season, which is only six episodes.