Sure there isn’t time to show all of the mundane tasks of the workaday world, but movies take a unique approach to jobs. From the inception of film, we have been treated to a depiction of work that defies any sense of authenticity or even logic. Here are five main things movies don’t understand about jobs.
Work Takes Time
There have been many films about writers, but you hardly ever see them doing any writing. Jack Torrence’s repetition of “All Work And No Play Makes Jack A Dull Boy’ in “[easyazon_link identifier=”B000GOUMPI” locale=”US” tag=”tvovermind00a-20″]The Shining[/easyazon_link]” doesn’t count. Yes, there are many jobs in the creative arts but even these folks need to carve out a little time to well, create. It takes time for me to write and other writers tell me the same. You have to put on the coffee and concentrate. In the “Sex and The City” movies (yes there were two of them) Carrie is a rich author but you never see her sit down to write more than a sentence. Samantha is a Public Relations wiz but spends her time strutting around with a drink in her hand.
She does sit at her desk in one scene to apply hormone cream between her legs. In movies, PR means being a Party Rebel. Creatives like painters don’t seem to paint, photographers only take photos when a model (always the romantic interest) is romping suggestively in front of him and musicians just perform to cheering crowds and receive awards.
If Your Work Takes Time You Lose (Especially if you are female)
I hate to bring up the “Sex and the City” franchise again but Miranda (the only lady in the group who is seen working) spends time doing so and naturally her husband has to cheat. Men in movies don’t put up with women spending any late hours at the office. Women who spend actual time working are depicted as domestic failures. There is one excellent male example of this, however, in “[easyazon_link identifier=”B00004BZIY” locale=”US” tag=”tvovermind00a-20″]The Sixth Sense[/easyazon_link]” my favorite film.
Dr. Malcom Crowe, who is a therapist has files and tapes and everything, which is a break from the stereotypical movie shrink who just sits and listens in a bare room with weird art on the wall. He thinks he has neglected his wife for his work but no, let’s just say it’s not his fault so we don’t give away spoilers. Still, for women in movies especially, your family will see your work as the enemy, even if it pays the bills.
Everyone’s Attractive
Take any movie and look over the extras who play store clerks, waiters, and valets. Unless the character is supposed to be a “typical” New York gruff, fat cabbie, everyone is pretty lovely. Yes, many people with everyday jobs are attractive, but not that good looking. Waitstaff always looks like they are strolling down the red carpet instead of serving steamy hot meals. Also, unlikereal life, there are no overweight doctors in films. All medical personnel in movies must be fit enough to run down hallways stethoscopes flying and even jump up on a moving stretcher to straddle a patient so they can start the CPR in transit.
Good Vs. Bad Bankers
The plot of “It’s a Wonderful Life” revolves around two institutions. One, The Baily Building and Loan is generous and cares about the community. At the end of the film, there are a million good deeds to be called in as the Bailey’s are surrounded with love and donations. Meanwhile, nasty old Potter is the direct opposite. Potter is greedy as he makes folks pay up or else–which is just like real life but on film a banker who makes folks pay what they owe with no nonsense are villains. Even today, bank drones are played as having personalities–like the bureaucrat who won’t give a hefty loan just because the hero says “trust me, I will pay back every penny”
Car Salespeople are Sleazy
Car salesmen like Jerry Lundegaard in “[easyazon_link identifier=”B0030MBX56″ locale=”US” tag=”tvovermind00a-20″]Fargo[/easyazon_link]” do probably exist but the sleazy car salesman trope is overdone on film. They have a job to do–sell stuff. It would make sense if this was how salespeople are shown across the board, but it’s not true. In films, Real Estate Salespeople are either friendly helpers or ditzy fluff characters (except thank goodness in “Glengarry Glenn Ross”) but they are hardly ever out to deliberately deceive. Appliance salespeople are just comical hoots. Some types of salespeople we like and some we don’t and these tropes carry on from film to film.
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