FIRED!
Gone Goodbye, and Without The Donald's Say So
PopcornReel.com Film Review: "Fired!"
By Omar P.L. Moore/February 6, 2007
Whether Donald Trump and Woody Allen are friends, the best of
friends or simply mere acquaintances this reviewer can only guess. Both,
however, are rich and have fired people from their places of work. Most of
those reading these words know the pain of being fired, laid off, downsized,
cut, etc. Annabelle Gurwitch was given the "heave-ho" by Mr. Allen in the
not-too distant past. Unlike Mr. Trump's regularly-bounced underlings,
Miss Gurwitch was no apprentice. She had very capable hands and skills as
a writer and producer of plays. Apparently though, Woody Allen didn't
think she quite was good enough.
So when you get fired, do you get mad or even?
While some in the world resort to more drastic, disturbing and dangerous methods
upon hearing of their termination from employment, Annabelle Gurwitch decided to
get even and mad -- channeling the anger, despair and the "why me?" of her
untimely dismissal into an at times vigorously funny and cheeky documentary
called "Fired!", which she wrote and produced. Directed, photographed &
edited by Chris Bradley & Kyle La Brache and released via Shout! Factory,
"Fired" isn't just about the travails of of Miss Gurwitch -- it is also about
the traumatic experiences of others who have been given the axe from employment
at one time or another. In some very funny interviews with celebrities
(such as Illeana Douglas, Tim Allen, Jeff Garlin, Anne Meara, Robert Reich --
who was the U.S. Secretary of Labor under President Bill Clinton -- Sarah
Silverman, Ben Stein, and Fred Willard) and regular Joe and Joan Q. Publics on
the street, Miss Gurwitz eases the pain of her own firing by not feeling alone,
as she discovers through these interviews that people have been fired for a lot
less than she ever was.
The style of "Fired!" is similar to way that Michael Moore's "Roger & Me",
"Bowling For Columbine" and most especially "Fahrenheit 9/11" documentaries are
edited. Mr. Bradley and Mr. LaBrache edit the film in a quick-paced way at
some points, which gives the documentary an even greater sense of levity.
Quick quips are dispensed, scenes are ended with questions, and comments are
made in a sarcastic way -- and all are abruptly edited. Gurwitz puts some
of the celebrities on stage in her own play, as they recall the firings and
their would-be responses to the employers who fired them. Some of it makes
for some very funny episodes. Although some of the film is repetitive,
"Fired!" provides the ideal vent for those who have felt the heat, whether it be
from Woody Allen, Donald Trump or anyone else.
"Fired" opened in New York City on Friday, January 26 -- and is expected to play
elsewhere in the United States over the coming weeks and months. It is not
rated by the Motion Picture Association of America.
Copyright The Popcorn Reel. PopcornReel.com. 2007.
All Rights Reserved.