Take This Job and Shove It

Take This Job and Shove It is a delightful comedy-drama film from 1981 that brings together a stellar ensemble cast including Robert Hays, Art Carney, and Barbara Hershey under the seasoned direction of Gus Trikonis. The title of the film is derived from the popular country song of the same name by Johnny Paycheck, reflecting the film's focus on work culture and resonant underlying themes of individualism, capitalist exploitation, and small-town dynamics.

Robert Hays of "Airplane!" fame plays the protagonist, Frank Macklin, a high-flying corporate executive for a nationwide brewery corporation. Frank's corporate trajectory takes a detour when he is sent back to his quaint and charming hometown in Iowa, where he is faced with the unenviable task of reorganizing and modernizing a local brewery acquired by his corporation. The local brewery has been underperforming, struggling to keep up with the economic pressures of competing with larger, more technologically advanced breweries.

Art Carney, best known for his role in "The Honeymooners," embodies the character of Charlie Pickett, the manager of the struggling brewery. Pickett resists the looming corporate intervention fearing the loss of jobs and the disruption of the close-knit community the brewery has fostered among its workers for generations.

Barbara Hershey, a Hollywood veteran, brings a grounded, thoughtful presence to the film, playing J.M. Halstead, an old flame of Frank's. Her character is central to Frank's emotional journey in the film, serving as a reminder of his roots in this close-knit community and the life he left behind — filled with simpler joys, pure connections, and honest work.

The film unravels as Frank grapples with the modernizing pressures of an increasingly industrial world, represented by his high-pressure corporate job, against the familiar and personal nature of small-town life. It depicts his struggle to mediate the forces of change with the deep-rooted traditions of his homeland, while also navigating relationships with his old friends, co-workers and a rekindled romantic interest.

Take This Job and Shove It treads the common cinematic ground of the dichotomy between big-city corporate life and small-town simplicity. Yet, it does so through a lens that offers a satirical look at corporate culture, highlighting it as a space devoid of empathy and individual identity. It paints a picture of how large corporations are often unfeeling machinery that disregard human connections and values in favor of economic progress.

The comedic undertones of the film are brilliantly embedded within this exploration. Robert Hays, with his effortless charm and knack for eliciting laughs, ensures that the film's humorous moments land with precision. He successfully creates a character that is both relatable and engrossing, making the audience root for him throughout his journey.

Art Carney and Barbara Hershey provide sturdy support, supplementing the comedic elements with a touch of heartfelt sincerity and emotional depth. Carney's character symbolizes the struggle of small-town folks against ruthless corporate powers, while Hershey's character showcases the lure of a simpler past left behind.

Take This Job and Shove It is supported by excellent cinematography, capturing the charm and appeal of small-town America. The brewing process itself is showcased in intricate detail, acting as a metaphor of the film's themes of tradition versus progress. The film's sound design enriches the cinematic experience, and the original music by Charles Fox enlivens the narrative.

In essence, Take This Job and Shove It is an entertaining film that transcends the typical 'big city versus small town' narrative, offering instead a story that is humorous, heartwarming, and thought-provoking. With its balance of comedy, drama and romance, and performative strength of the star-studded cast, the film is a compelling watch for anyone seeking more than just surface-level entertainment.