This is not an Oscar winning film by far, but I like talking films. I watched it on DVD though and could not get the subtitles to work, so I missed a lot of the jokes. But I did not miss Neve naked. It reminded me of Delicatessen for some reason, like the emotion of it. That is was sort of abstract. My boyfriend hated it, so it might be for people who like character driven movies. A lot of the editing seems random too, which I grew to like.Thought the DVD displayed Neve, the main character I though was the cook and how she was the only one really doing anything and that is why she hated her job. The title of this movie could have been better. It is sort of a cop-out.

I can see why some viewers criticized this film; it's not a conventional story in which everything is wrapped up neatly at the end. It is, rather, a character study of five women caught in a job few if any of them really want to be doing, struggling with the frustration of chasing dreams that may never be realized. It is achingly like real life. I suppose it might be difficult for many men to relate to these characters--the stars are all women, and the male characters are peripheral at best, with the exception of the long-awaited star who makes an appearance near the end. On the other hand, the feeling of chasing a dream and seeing it always beyond reach is universal, isn't it? except for a very few fortunate people who realize their ambitions fully.The workplace dynamics add another layer to the drama; although the manager is not always a sympathetic character, it is possible to see how difficult her job must be in trying to manage dysfunctional people who ignore about half of her requests and mock her efforts to get them to work as a team.It's not for everyone, and the people who turned it off after the first half hour are probably right in that it's not for them. But I have a feeling I'll be thinking about this for a while, much longer than I would a more conventional movie.

This is a film which many can relate to on many different levels. The first, obviously (and on the surface), is of a handful of people trying to make a higher class restaurant work with an over-taxed staff. Many in the service industry can relate to that--especially (in this case), those working in a restaurant. You have the over-worked cook, the manager who attempts to befriend everyone whilst attempting to keep things running those smoothly, and the others who are trying to make a buck whilst focusing on their primary goals. On another level (that many others, other than restaurant folk, can relate to), it's a story of pursuing your main goals whist trying to make ends meet. Each of these women have a goal (other than working in this nameless restaurant) which they're trying to pursue. Throughout the entire film, they attempt to maintain a delicate balance between staying true to themselves and their goals and achievement, and--keeping the customers happy. On another (similar, yet most important) level, it's a story of doing what you have to do. It's a bittersweet theme. You work hard to get where you want, by means of working a meaningless (and thankless) job to make ends meet whilst pursuing your dreams and goals; and for all anyone knows, you may not even get where you want. Many hopes will be dashed in the meantime, but in the long run, though, you keep on trucking and hope you get what you want.

Five restaurant employees take on a night of wild fun and dramatic life crises in a London fine-dining establishment. While not perfect, I Really Hate My Job is hysterical and loquacious. The ensemble cast is vibrant and interesting; you can't help but love them all and find something to relate to. I tried to choose which character was my favorite (or better yet which actress was best) and I just couldn't decide. The whole cast is truly fantastic. Everyone really brought something to the table. The Dishwaher caused my eyes to water with her inane, hysterical dancing and speeches. The Chef (Shirly Henderson) was perfect as a secluded, self-contained, intellectual writer on the verge of cracking. The Waitress (Neve Campbell) was just downright daring in manner, actions, and speech. The Other Waitress (resptively Alexandra Maria Lara) was sweet, perky, and optimistic; I enjoyed her quirky sense of the world and positive suggestions on how to better everyone else's life. The Boss (Anna Maxwell Martin) was great at trying to maintain control while her love life was possibly ending and the business was declining. Another commenter mentioned the potential of this being a great play... I full heartedly agree. The script, story, and actresses are what make this enjoyable.The only drawback, I guess, would be that the ending was inconclusive. All these character problems were introduced and none were solved. Particularly when Abi (Neve) asks her boss about her real name; it's never revealed why the boss changed her name but it is brought up enough times that you are disappointed when they never tell you. Things like that lessened it for me.