Haiku Tunnel
Haiku Tunnel ** ( R )
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Reviewed By George O. Singleton
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Josh: Josh Kornbluth
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Bob: Warren Keith
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Danielle: Margo Hall
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DaVonne: June Lomena
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Mindy: Amy Resnick
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Clifford: Brian Thorstenson
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Marlina: Helen Schumaker
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Julie: Sarah Overman
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Director: Jacob Kornbluth/Josh Kornbluth
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30 Second Bottom Line: A man who always works as an office temp finds his world challenged when he is offered a permanent job.
Story Line: Josh is a pleasant enough person who likes to work in various offices for short periods of time and then move on. He accepts this way of life and it feels like it's the right thing for him.
When he goes to work for a law firm, with the abbreviated initials of S&M, in spite of his sloppy performance and coming to work a few minutes later each day, they offer him a permanent job with benefits. Shocked, he even considers working for an engineering firm that builds tunnels so he can maintain his temp status.
As Josh becomes friendly with DaVonne, Mindy and Clifford, other secretaries at S&M, they are standoffish at first before warming up to him. The supervisor is Marlina and her main concern seems to be not that he gets work done on time, or comes to work at the appointed hour, but that his work space is neat and that the person he supports, Bob, is happy.
One day Josh meets Julie, who mistakes him for a lawyer rather than a secretary and one thing leads to another and before the night is gone, he gets laid. When she comes to his office the next day with flowers to give to his secretary, she finds out his secret and Josh's life is forever changed.
Tell Me More About It: Haiku Tunnel is based upon a one man play by the same title that was written by Josh Kornbluth who stars in both. If you are familiar with the play or like minimalist theater, you will probably like this film. It had the feel of The Big Kahuna, but not the depth of character so it does not click with me. I was trying to like it but Josh and I just never connected. It may be a great play and there are some plays that just don't migrate to the big screen that well.
It's not a bad film and there is a part of me that wishes I could say more positive things about it, but since I can't, I won't. The characters are likable and Josh Kornbluth hired only lead actors who have been secretaries or held similar office related jobs.
If there is a target audience for Haiku Tunnel, it's folks who work for temporary agencies and know what it's like to be under-appreciated and even unseen. This applies not only to secretaries, as the temp world is a very large one. There have been major temp issues at Microsoft and UPS, so there may be a level of humor in this film that reaches a large niche audience. If you are a part of the temp world, you might very well enjoy this comedy.
R (language and some sexuality)
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George O. Singleton © 2001
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