Austin as "Office Space" Characters
The cult classic flick filmed in Austin turns 25 this year, so I want to give it its due
Office Space, Mike Judge’s 1999 Austin-filmed masterclass on the drudgery and myriad quirky nuances of workplace culture turns 25 this year, so I think it’s a fitting tribute to explore which characters from the movie are best paired with various Austin-area towns/neighborhoods.
Yeah, I’d kinda like to, you know, get to it. Mmm-kay? Thanks.
Circle C is Peter Gibbons: The unmotivated, relatable every-man who wakes up one day in a prison of its own creation wanting nothing more than to stop caring and find more in life than posting on the community Facebook page about rude residents not cleaning up their dog’s shit. Perpetually one TPS Report away from crying. This is so perfect it’s almost on the nose.
Pflugerville is Michael Bolton: Its dumb name immediately saddles it with issues. Frustrated and feels underappreciated and unfulfilled, like it’s wasting its time in an unremarkable, dead-end existence that used to get some juice from saying Friday Night Lights was filmed there.
Mueller is Samir: Relatable and accessible, just trying to make its way in the world and fit it as a relative newcomer. You’re really rooting for it. Likeable enough to be popular but stuck in many of the same ruts as Circle C and Pflugerville. Secretly fucking miserable.
South Austin (South of 290 part) is Joanna: Pretty cool and there’s lot to like here but it should be doing better than it is. Wants to be special and feels hemmed in by the mundane rules of life, with some tangible bitterness. Fucked Westlake and Circle C hates that, but it was the Westlake in Dallas.
Westlake is Lumbergh: Better off than everyone else and all too excited to rub faces in it. So universally detested it has become a meme. Drives a cringy luxury car in place of developing a real personality and parks it like a taintlord.
Buda is Lawrence: Adjacent to places with dreams and aspirations and oddly comforting, 100% happy in its own skin. Not flashy or pretentious and secretly envied by its neighbor, Circle C. Lists a 3-way with Kyle/San Marcos as its ultimate goal and isn’t afraid to admit it.
Round Rock is Milton: Has been around for a long time but never gets the respect it feels it deserves. City boundaries are always getting moved around. Feels taken for granted by everyone and will set Austin on fire if someone takes away its IKEA.
Tarrytown/Clarksville are The Bobs: Judgy, privileged outsiders who think they have it all figured out while trying from on high to understand the commoners and what makes them tick. Secretly wonder if Circle C has it all figured out.
Rainey Street is Drew: People think of it as vapid and one-dimensional (e.g., can only talk about recent hookups right down to the “O Face”), but it also dabbles in IPAs. Not a part of anything meaningful but shows up to add some flair from time to time.
Northwest Hills is The Temp: “Looks like Austin has a case of The Mondays.” Just kind of there. Nobody knows what it does. Seems happy enough to exist and takes sick glee in others being miserable. Would flip the fuck out if a two-unit condo were proposed near it.
Oak Hill is Tom Smykowski: Doesn’t serve any real purpose that you can put your finger on, but through a twist of fate is now doing better than most of the other places mentioned and will be booming soon.
That’s the list. Put any bangers that you think I missed in the comments.
Pflug spot on!!
Northwest Hills did stop that PUD! 😆