The movie, a companion to Gurwitch's bestselling book, Fired!: Tales of the Canned, Canceled, Downsized and Dismissed, seems like something that could get boring fast. It's hilarious to see big names such as Tim Allen, Bob Odenkirk, Harry Shearer, David Cross and Sarah Silverman riff on their worst moments in the workforce, but it also has the potential to dry up quickly.
Yet Gurwitch keeps the ball rolling into unexpected territory. The film often ventures into social commentary on the state of the American workforce in a surprisingly poignant way. An extended sequence echoes Michael Moore's Roger Me, as Gurwitch investigates more General Motors plant closings and their effect on the community of Lansing, Mich.
(my hometown, where I did my fair share of firing as a coffee shop manager). Gurwitch has found a shtick in the sacking business, and Fired! does a fantastic job of treating a familiar pain with the ultimate therapy: laughter.
And a shitload of Black Velvet.
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