Employee of the Month

• Comedy
• Romance

A cheerfully vulgar and unexpectedly sweet romantic comedy set within the fluorescent-lit world of a big-box store, *Employee of the Month* distinguishes itself through its deliberately unglamorous portrayal of striving for affection. It’s not a story of grand romance, but of a directionless slacker attempting strategic self-improvement – not for career advancement, but to impress a coworker with a fondness for ambition. The humor arises from the absurd lengths he goes to, contrasted with the inherent ridiculousness of judging character by employee-of-the-month accolades. Beneath the slapstick and awkward dates lies a surprisingly tender exploration of how people contort themselves to be seen, and the quiet desperation for connection in a mundane setting. The film’s charm comes not from wish fulfillment, but from accepting the endearing messiness of flawed characters chasing fleeting happiness.