Movie Monday Dec. 20: Office Christmas Party

It’s coming up on Christmas and the winter holiday break for many people. For my pic this week, I wanted a bit of holiday comedy. Office Christmas Party was the first that came to mind. While many Christmas-themed comedies focus on family dysfunction or romance-based humor, this movie is pure, unadulterated craziness.

**Warning, mild spoilers ahead, so if you haven’t watched the movie yet, what are you doing?**

After a disappointing quarter, the CEO of Zenotek Carol Vanstone (Jennifer Aniston) threatens to shut down the Chicago branch of the company, run by her brother Clay (A.J. Miller). In order to save his employees and prove to his sister that he is a good boss, Clay decides to recruit Walter Davis (Courtney B. Vance), whose partnership could stop the shutdown. Employees Josh (Jason Bateman) and Tracey (Olivia Munn) help Clay prove to Walter that they care about the people, not just profits, by throwing an epic (but unauthorized) office Christmas party. What starts out fairly tame soon turns into a night of debauchery when the employees let loose. Mass social media invites, unlimited alcohol, and accidental drug ingestion only adds fuel to the fire. And then there’s a literal fine. When Clay gets kidnapped by a drug-dealing pimp, Josh, Tracey, and a disapproving Carol have to stage a rescue. The resulting attempt tests loyalties and family bonds, but everyone makes it out more or less in one piece.

Office Christmas Party is one of my favorite Christmas comedies ever. It’s fun and a bit raunchy at times, but does have some nice emotional depth from time to time. The amazing ensemble cast obviously did some ad libbing and riffing, adding to what was already a crazy premise. Familiar faces like Kate Mckinnon, Randall Park, and Vanessa Bayer have great supporting roles. Jennifer Aniston, an actress who usually plays romantic leads in romcoms, plays a great pseudo-villain. 

It’s not the most critically acclaimed movie, but Office Christmas Party does what it set out to do: deliver a crazy, albeit, unrealistic story. I for one enjoy the unbridled party in the movie and think the jokes land most of the time. The ending wraps things up a little too quickly though. I’d forgotten some of the original premise along the way.

Office Christmas Party is a wild ride from start to finish and definitely brings the laughs. If you’re looking for a wholesome Christmas comedy, however, look elsewhere.

One moment that I loved: Jennifer Aniston’s fight scene. She’s such a badass in this role, but this scene especially cements this.

One moment that made me laugh: Any scene with security guard Carla (Da’Vine Joy Randolph). She doesn’t put up with anyone’s nonsense and isn’t afraid to let people know.

I’d give Office Christmas Party 8 flaming Christmas trees out of 10.