Ambitious women. Deceitful men. Corporate lifestyles. The unmistakable trademarks of workplace comedy.
If you’re having trouble placing this subgenre, picture films like The Devil Wears Prada, Working Girl, or 9 to 5.
These are not simply films about women with jobs but ones where their careers are intrinsic to the story. There are of course male workplace comedies, but the specific brand of female-driven career films are a particular and unified set, that have their own trademarks making them worthy of distinction.
It’s not always a positive or glamorous portrayal, but it is something inherently relatable. You may not be working under the thumb of a Miranda Priestly, but you probably have, at some point, felt the pressures of working under an imposing boss or authority figure.
Crucially, these films often share some of the same iconography and qualities as romantic comedies, but it would be a mistake to label them as such. They may be romantic comedies in some cases, but that’s usually secondary to the primary concern of the protagonist’s career. Conflict can often be derived from the work-life balance, but the career is ultimately the primary focus.
Watching these films can often evoke a certain degree of wish fulfilment. Seeing someone flourish in a successful career can be aspirational, regardless of the vocation.
It’s hard not to get swept up in the lifestyle portrayed. A common setting for these films is also New York, perhaps the most inherently cinematic city, which adds an immense amount of character to these films on that basis alone.
At the same time, there is usually an acknowledgement of the realities of the world that make them identifiable and not simply a fantasy of success. Seeing the struggle to overcome misogynistic or classist systems is the core driving force for the leading ladies of 9 to 5 or Tess McGill (Melanie Griffith) in Working Girl. These realities being acknowledged provides the films with a connection to real-world struggles and enhances the wish-fulfilment when they’re overcome, and the characters ultimately succeed in a system designed against them.
The films never get bogged down in the realities they address though. Deftly navigating real world issues whilst maintaining a light tone is no easy task, and is something that these films should be commended for.
Another thing that makes these films great is their ensembles. Naturally, the workplace setting opens up these films to feature a large cast of characters, who aid or hinder the protagonist in their duties. The Devil Wears Prada may be about Andy (Anne Hathaway) and Miranda (Meryl Streep), but without Emily (Emily Blunt) or Nigel (Stanley Tucci), it would only be half the film it is.
Like the acknowledgements of real systemic issues, it is realistic for there to exist friction and camaraderie in a work environment. Regardless of the job, you’re always going to form some kind of bond with those you work with every day, and these films capture that reality brilliantly.
The idea of a comfort film is often discussed in online film discussions. Look up any variation of comfort or easy-watching films on Letterboxd and you’ll be met with lists upon lists. It’s easy to see how a film like Morning Glory or The Intern are common picks for these lists. There is a feather-light quality to many of these films, even when dealing with heavier topics that makes them the perfect films to watch whenever seeking something that will soothe the mind, particularly after your own hard day navigating the working world.
It’s unfortunate that this is a subgenre largely contained to a particular period (around 1980-2006) and that recent examples are scarce. The Intern probably is the last example of a great workplace comedy, but it is hard to define this genre exactly so people’s definitions of what qualifies will vary. Regardless of that, there is no denying the shared qualities of these films that make them a distinct and noteworthy set of films to be given their dues.
So, if and when you are seeking a comfortable escape that’s light-hearted and grounded, always remember a simple ensemble cast and workplace comedy hold a unique and desired charm.
Related: Fell inspired by the real-life careers of these women in history
