The Screening Room

Bully/Target Cinema: Are you ready for your close up?

Network (1976) - "I'm as mad as hell and I'm not taking it any more!" Words that got the late Peter Finch an Academy Award. Need I say more? O.K. - it's about the television industry, and much of the insanity that transpires still applies today.

The Closet (2001) - Hilarious farce from France about the lengths a man too nice for his own good will go to keep his accounting job. Depend on (Gerard) Depardieu for a comic turn as one of the office meanies.

Erin Brockovitch (2000) - We know about the heroic ways Erin (Julia Roberts) fought her way to a better life, and created a landmark legal case for a community gravely wronged by a major corporation that tainted its water supply. But note all the bullying she took from her co-workers while cracking the case and finding the evidence needed to win the major court battle. Her looks, attitude and confidence got her in to trouble, but it did not stop her.

Clockwatchers (1998) - Toni Collette, Lisa Kudrow and their friends seek the glamour of a corporate lifestyle, and get less than what they bargained for-the life of a temp. A nice companion for "Office Space."

The Business of Strangers (2001) - An interesting what-if story about what happens when two women with bullying tendancies (a ball-busting boss and a scheming employee, played by Stockard Channing and Julia Stiles, respectively) share the same corporate hotel space.

Men of Honor (2001) - Based on a true story, Robert DeNiro plays a military bully and Cuba Gooding Jr. is Carl Breshears, a real life hero who rose above the bully and a debilitating accident.

The Truman Show (1998) - Recommended by Nineveh facilitator Guy Croyle, since it is possible to draw parallels between Jim Carey's character and workplace targets who have felt watched, violated or used for other people's amusement and power trips.

For complete details on your favorite films, visit www.imdb.com.

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