Firstly, this isn't a B grade movie, nor is it bad in anyway, it's just the last movie I watched worth reviewing, plus a lot of people haven't seen it.

1991! The nineties! How this movie was made outside of the 80s super teen bubble, I'll never know, and most particularly I don't care, because the film is awesome and I've seen it more times than anyone should tell anyone else. If you have seen The Breakfast Club, Pretty In Pink or the immortal Ferris Bullers Day Off, and know the style well, then you already know what you're in for with this flick. Smart direction, witty humor and great soundtrack. Career Opportunities has a generous amount of all three.

Jim Dodge

Jim Dodge is the (small) town liar, and can't keep a job.. At the start of the movie we see Jim lose another job, from what looks like a Vet. What we're meant to think, is that Jim is pretty much a slacker, and a bullshit artist who quite possibly lies so much that sometimes he has to believe his own lies..Within the next five mins we're introduced to the female lead, Josie (Connelly) whos absolutely smoking hot, complete with the 90s fashion only barely visible on the cover above.. the hair and earrings are sort of a give away. At this point the viewer isn't given any details about her, just that she is HOT and the object of Jims desire. Her sexy stares, glares and pouting is one of the things I remember that helped me realize I was changing from a boy who likes funny "teen" movies, to a man who likes boobs. Thanks Jen!

Boobs.

Without going into too much mundane detail (and whilst staying within the first 15mins of the film) Jim is given a job (against his will) at the local Target superstore. As the Janitor I might add.. Here we are treated with two great cameos, one from John Candy as the hiring manager, and one from William Forsythe as the hostile custodian.. Turns out Jim is going to be locked in the store BY HIMSELF the whole night, which everyone has to admit was their fantasy as a child (some never change) to be locked in overnight at your local shopping centre.

So, ladies and gentleman that, is a plot set up. Jim, can't keep a job, seen as untrustworthy, unreliable and generally a dipshit, is given another chance and the task of cleaning the store overnight. He is left unsupervised. Sound like things could go wrong? Does he get a visitor? If I go any further, I'll be describing too much of the movie.. I'll stop here.

Why it works; Most definitely the acting from these two fairly young people is the HUGE draw for the film. Jennifer Connelly has obviously proved herself in recent years, and although not as famous, Frank Whaley starred in last years 'Vacancy' a ultra thrilling... thriller. It works because even though Jim is a bit of a douche, you love him immediately, whether it be because of his james Dean hair, his quirky attitude and persona, or just from the fact that Jim practically oozes charisma, from every orifice in his body. Jim is soooooo cool. It works because no doubt about it, Jennifer Connelly is hot! It works because the chemistry between Jim and Rosie that is created almost instantly is so thick and creamy that you need an excavator to get through it all. It works because the whole thing is shot on location inside a Target super store, no action peice, no car chase, no explosions, its left to the two leads to give you a reason to stay and find out what happens to them over night, locked inside a Target store. 

It works because it has a great 80/90s soundtrack that isn't just a series of montages, used to express the passing of time. Well ok so there is a montage used to express the passing of time, but not in the "Rocky" sense.. one of the few times a montage was fitting.. I felt so anyway.. It works because both actors had the ability to really make fun of themselves, and what do I mean by that? I don't think many people reeeaaallly understand what it takes to act.. Ever been to karaoke? been embarrassed as all hell getting up to sing and then chickening out? Well actors have to do all sorts of insanely embarrassing shit, that gets seen by millions of millions of people, who are often completely fucked up and take things the wrong way, then go kill your family and kidnap your 6 year old nephew. Right? So actors really are putting themselves out there, and as an example, any scenes where actors have to do comedy related nude scenes... I mean they really are naked.. and that is some embarrassing shit to have to go through for my/your entertainment. My point clear? So back to why this movie works, its almost entirely the work of Frank Whaley who at one point Roller skates through the isles dressed half naked in a wedding dress. You see he had to actually wear that, roller skate, keep a straight face, and stay in character. Its called quality acting. 

It works because the direction is sharp, as is the editing, in all, I can't fault this film technically. Lastly this is a fairly fast paced comedy, the gold is in the writing, which I might add is well above average and when you do something silly like compare it to todays teen movies, you can realize just how fucking perversely awful movies have become today.

Is there anything wrong with it? LOL, in short, no! Not really. Unless you have a depraved sense of humor, hate the 80s, hate the 90s, hate an original and funny story, and don't like hot chicks, then chances are more than likely, you will enjoy this movie. Even if you only watch it once.