One of the things I enjoy about reviewing DVDs, is that I often get the opportunity to see a good film that I might have otherwise missed because it didn’t get the media play that big Hollywood movies get. Some of these films make big waves at festivals, but wouldn’t otherwise see the light of day if it weren’t for the DVD market. Just this week I took in a movie called “Employee of the Month.” Heard of it? Yeah, I didn’t think so. “Employee of the Month” stars Matt Dillon as David Walsh. He’s a guy on the rise. Life been pretty good to him so far and his future appears to be enviously bright. He has a beautiful fiancée (Christina Applegate) and a sweet job as the manager of a bank. But well know that in life, nothing is certain (well, except death and taxes, that is…) and everything can change in the blink of an eye. In the course of a single day, David’s fiancée leaves him, and he gets fired form his job. You’d think that would be the end of it for most people though, wouldn’t you?

Well, not in this dark comedy brought spawned from the mind of writer/director Mitch Rouse. Rouse is one of the guys behind the outrageously bizarre Comedy Central series “Strangers with Candy”, and his warped sense of humor is one overdrive in this new comedy. From start to finish “Employee of the Month” takes turns and twists, most of which I never saw coming. Very little is what it seems in this movie. And did I mention it was a DARK comedy. Some of these twists and turns will admittedly only appeal to those of us who can laugh at just about anything.

As disturbingly funny as I thought the movie was, I will admit to being a little disappointed at the utter lack of special features. Oh, you’ll find a photo gallery and trailer, but there is no commentary or interview to speak of. These are the kinds of extras I especially welcome with movies as twisted as this one. I really would have liked to have heard from the director or even some of the stars as to their take on the film.

In spite of this nitpick about the Lion’s Gate DVD release, I still have to recommend “Employee of the Month” to those of you with a wicked sense of humor and warped view of comeuppance.

Directed by: Mitch Rouse
Starring: Matt Dillon, Steve Zahn, Christina Applegate,
Extras: Photo Gallery, Trailer
Specifications: Full Screen, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Studio: Lions Gate
Release Date: 1/4/2005
Region 1
MPAA Rating: R (For Strong Violence, Sexuality and Language)
Website

We'll give Employee of the Month a B.