Program – “I Can Sit There and Do Nothing As Good As Anyone”

Two cultures, one attitude. Qualified and capable young women are given the least meaningful work – in terms of their companies’ mission, meaningless work. Is it some social program to provide employment for the feeble-minded? An organizational scheme to provide lower-ranked managers some feeling of superiority? I don’t know, but it feels pretty real.
“Clockwatchers” is the story of four temporary workers in a downtown firm. They quickly figure out that they are fated to stay in that position, and that the best coping means is to do as little as possible so they won’t become a target. There’s a plot and everything as well.
Since Amelie Nothomb’s books rarely stay in print in the U.S. for long, the movie version of “Fear and Trembling” (Japanese / French) may be the only introduction to her available for Americans. Amelie was born in Japan, and received a one year contract to return and work for a large Japanese corporation upon her college graduation. Amelie knows she was perfect for the position, and works to make herself effective and productive. Big mistake. Sylvie Testud, Edith Piaf’s best friend in “La Vie en Rose” is winning as Amelie.