This is the sort of film you aren't surprised if it goes straight to DVD or is made for TV, it's a slow starter, low budget style and rather basic. The premise doesn't really make any sense, at the start, in the real world, and if it was anyone other than Jennifer Aniston and Steve Zahn in the main roles I don't think it would have been at all believable. I got the impression from this that Aniston was just collecting her pay cheque and as another reviewer stated it really is Zahn's film - with honourable mention to the wonderful Fred Ward and Woody Harrelson. Again, if the simple naïve acting was done by anyone other than Zahn, I think viewers would consider it to be empty but he brings a gravitas to it as he is known for being such a talent.The film is predictable to a certain extent, but does play out with a degree of satisfaction. The film certainly improves half way through, up until that point I didn't really see much positive as it was too slow and silly. As the characters mature, especially Zahn, and Harrelson makes an appearance to add some conflict, the story picks up pace and I found myself sitting up a bit and paying more attention. The film unravels into a quite sweet philosophical and convincing romcom. A few laugh out loud moments but the film is more amusing than comical, and evolves into quite a touching story. Not one I'd see again, perhaps, but one I don't regret seeing.

In one of her occasional appearances in the "indie" cinema in order to show us she is an also "serious" actress, Jennifer Aniston made an efficient job in the entertaining romantic comedy Management.And another reason I liked her appearance in here is that she will luckily attract more people to this movie and, specifically, to its real star: Steve Zahn.This solid comedian has been wasted on various occasions (Daddy Day Care and National Security are the clearest examples), and we have rarely seen him as a main actor.And Management is a good sample of what Zahn is capable of, thanks to the credibility and enthusiasm he brings to the role.On the beginning, I could not swallow the screenplay of Management very much, because besides of its rancid premise, it shows one of the worst clichés from romantic comedies: a cute woman who is attracted by the "loser" with doubtful attributes and little future.However, after that weak beginning, the film improves pretty much, because the romantic aspect becomes into a necessary catalyst which impulses something much more interesting: the emotional evolution from Zahn's character in order to escape from his comfortable nest and face the freedom and responsibilities from adult life.That is not a very original subject, but it was enough to bring substance to the laughs provoked by the dialogs and the interaction between the characters.As I mentioned, Zahn and Aniston bring good performances; as for her, I think her work in here does not equal the one she made in The Good Girl, but it is hugely better than the one she made in tedious mainstream films like The Bounty Hunter, Rumor Has It and Along Came Polly.I also liked the performances from Margo Martindale and the great Fred Ward; I only wish they had more screen-time.And Woody Harrelson brings realism and conviction to his extreme character, avoiding him to become into a simple caricature of a psychotic personality.In summary, Management may not be a great movie, and it is not very memorable.However, despite its fails, I had a good time watching it, and I think that it deserves a recommendation because of that.

What a massive case of mismanagement have I just witnessed! It was upon viewing the independent film "Management" starring Steve Zahn & Jennifer Aniston. Zahn plays Mike, an Arizona motel night manager who falls for hotel guest Sue portrayed by Aniston. Mike madly falls for Sue. After a grab-butt session and a spontaneous quickie with Sue in the motel, Mike puts on his stalker hat and travels unannounced to Maryland (where she resides) to capture her heart. What follows is more unauthentic delirium a la stalker in the day & night. Fellows, if you want to capture a lady's heart, please do not be like Mike. He is the King of Stalkatar! Writer-Director Stephen Belber must have been insane to think that the film product he developed here could be taken seriously. Let's just say that Mr. Belberfear was inflicted with a case of "over the top" directorial & screenplay syndrome. Steve Zahn has had an impressive body of work in portraying quirky supporting roles, but Mr. Zahn's uneven & pretentious performance in "Management" proves that he has problems managing a starring role. Jennifer Aniston was not too shabby, but she herself lately has had problems in managing a lead female performance. Sorry my friend, but you are in an acting slump. Like if Jennifer A. was my real friend. Anyway, back to "Management". Woody Harrelson co-starred as Sue's boyfriend Jango who used to be a hardcore punk rocker. Woody, were you still in Zombieland when you took this role? Not your best work. I can elaborate on more atrocious problems of "Management" but that would mismanage the time I have that could be used instead on writing positive comments about decent films. I have managed to let this movie take 93 minutes out of my life! In lieu of that, "Management" should all be fired! I think we will keep Jen though, she is still a looker. Oh no, looks like Mike the Stalker is rubbing off here. ** Needs Improvement

A generally sweet and unassuming little romantic comedy, "Management" pits a socially-backward, good-natured doofus (Steve Zahn ) against a near-psychotic super-stud (Woody Harrelson) for the attention and affections of a seemingly unattainable dream girl, played by Jennifer Aniston.Mike and Sue meet one night when Sue, a salesperson from Baltimore, stays at the motel Mike's parents own and operate - and where Mike works as handyman and general Mr. Fixit - in the Desert Southwest. Despite the stark personal and socioeconomic differences between them, Mike becomes so infatuated with Sue that he pursues her, first to Maryland, then to her boyfriend, Jongo's, home in Washington State."Management" is an uneven, though frequently endearing, minor-league romance that skates by on the likability and charm of its three lead performers. It doesn't always get the tone right, occasionally going too broad for its laughs, as when Mike, desperate to get back in touch with Sue, jumps out of an airplane and straight into Jongo's swimming pool. Still, when it's being low-keyed and tender and sticks to the rudiments of offbeat romance, the movie modestly and unassumingly works its way into our hearts - even if it defies credibility a good deal of the time.