Exploring Workplace Hilarity: A Review of 'The Office'
Acclaimed TV show ‘The Office’ sets itself into the daily life of employees of the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company Scranton branch documenting the routine and comic strange inventions of a documentary style. This is a workplace television show where Michael Scott is the regional manager who brings humor, clashes, and blunders to the typical day of any worker and the blooming romances there.
The show mainly covers the theme of ordinary working environment, the relationships between the employees and the manager Michael Scott with hints of situational irony and awkward humor. The humor and the dramatic component are well incorporated leaving the viewer with an understanding of how reality is portrayed through the use of characters that are over- exaggerated.
The cast is perfect with Steve Carell doing a fantastic job as the main character Michael Scott. Dwight Schrute of Rainn Wilson is uniquely odd and John Krasinski’s Jim Halpert, represents the common everyday man with the perfect comedian’s twist. B.J. Novak as Ryan; Jenna Fischer as Pam Both of these are portrayed well and the rest of the cast is equally good in their characters.
Directors Paul Feig, Randall Einhorn and Ken Kwapis effectively depict the concept of the mockumentary style, both subtle and over- the top. Their ability to manage the timings and narrative built around characters is appreciable.
The music used throughout the series is quite limited but suits the show to the T where everyday life is filled with senseless drama at Dunder Mifflin. The iconic music theme increases the comical twist of each generated episode’s folly.
Similar to a genuine documentary, the show’s cinematography involves hand held cameras and zooming. This technique makes the show more hilarious and real because it gives raw shots of what happens in most offices. There is very little use of special effects, and these are mainly props that are used to cover significant moments in the comedy instead of dominating the storyline. It is worn to keep the show with all its episodes as close to a mockumentary as possible.
The style, which is used in the editing, is used to retain the comedic sensibilities and to uphold the mockumentary format of ‘The Office’. It makes sure the camera capturing every smallest glance, each silence, and any spontaneous reactions look real yet giving it the comedic timing without making it look rehearsed.
Due to it being shot in episodes format, ‘The Office’ allows for coverage of several events simultaneously and at the same time makes even dull, slow-moving plotlines interesting. The timing really helps to create the feeling that one is watching live, chronicling an everyday office environment with small subtle humor. The wit of the character dialogues makes normal conversations quite funny. The brilliance of the show is that it take s the boring and make it funny.
The first few episodes are a work in progress and due to its originality and sometimes crude humor may not appeal to some people. Although after a while the show is very rewarding and provides a lot of hilarious comedy. Some characters seem flat at the beginning but then grow multi-layered very nicely Two characters are especially switched from happy to sad and back during the episodes: A fresh and plain secretary, plus the boss.‘The Office’ makes you both laugh and occasionally cry and shows how ordinary working in an office can be connected to real life. It’s about transforming petty irritations into splendid comedy and in my opinion it is a joyful and homesick place.
