"Extract" too busy to stay at the workplace

Jason Bateman and Mila Kunis star in "Extract." (AP/Miramax Film Corp, Sam Urdank)

"Extract" is an apt title for Mike Judge's new film.  Like the "Beavis and Butthead" creator's previous workplace comedy, "Office Space", "Extract" is not about sight gags or even witty dialogue.  The laughs do not come frequently; scenes slowly build toward their punchline as the film plays out.  The actors perform their dialogue like they are trying to pull the laughs out of the audience.  Sometimes it works, and sometimes it falls short.

The film's main character is Joel(played by Jason Bateman of Arrested Development fame).  Joel runs a factory that produces flavored food extracts.  As the owner of the company, he must deal with a myriad of issues such as buyout decisions and the pesky factory line worker that won't cooperate and won't be quiet.  Outside of the office, he's dealing with a marriage that is starting to become strained and an obnoxious neighbor(David Koechner) who won't leave him alone.  Things become worse for Joel when one of his employees named Step(Clifton Collins Jr., who will be seen later this year in Boondock Saints II) becomes injured on the job and wants to sue.

Through all these difficulties, Joel turns to Dean for guidance and moral support.  Dean(Ben Affleck) is an underachiever who works at the sports bar inside the local hotel.  Dean's kind of advice includes drug consumption and the use of male gigolos, so it's questionable why Joel would even listen to(not to mention follow) his suggestions.

The film has some funny moments, but they are few.  Koechner steals every scene he is in as Nathan, Joel's neighbor.  His character ranks right up there with Milton from "Office Space".  Ben Affleck provides some comic relief but is underutilized in his role.  Perhaps it is because there is so much going on in the film.  The subplot involving Mila Kunis' character Cindy feels completely unnecessary.  The film doesn't have a central storyline; instead, it's composed of multiple subplots.  This film is also being marketed as a workplace comedy.  However, it is not about the workplace.  It is about Joel, and the factory and office are just scenery.  The character of Joel is a weakness of the film as well.  It's hard to empathize with a character when most of what happens to him is due to his own poor decision making.  It also doesn't make sense that someone smart enough to understand the chemistry of flavor extracts needs life advice from a stoner bartender.

This film's marketing may be its downfall.  It's no "Office Space", and by comparison "Extract" doesn't hold up.  "Extract" stands on its own, but it doesn't stand as tall as it could.