Watch Haiku Tunnel

Haiku Tunnel, released in 2001, is a charming and hilarious workplace comedy that follows the misadventures of Josh Kornbluth as he works as a temporary legal secretary in a law firm. The movie begins with Josh, a struggling poet, seeking employment to pay off his mounting debt. He lands a temporary job as a legal secretary in a law firm that defends a large corporation accused of polluting a river. As Josh struggles to keep up with the high-pressure demands of his new job and deal with a quirky cast of coworkers, we see his world start to unravel.

The film is staged primarily in the office, where Josh spends most of his time. We are quickly introduced to the eccentric personalities that make up the law firm. The overarching storyline follows the firm's defense of a corporation accused of polluting a river. This storyline intersects with Josh's story in several entertaining and unexpected ways.

At the heart of the storyline is Josh's struggle to balance his responsibilities and navigate his relationship with his coworkers. Throughout the film, we see Josh being pulled in different directions as he tries to fulfill his obligations while also seeking to maintain his sanity in the face of the office's chaos.

The humor in Haiku Tunnel arises from the eccentricities of the various characters that make up the law firm. Josh's supervisor and mentor, Bob (Warren Keith), for example, is a perpetually gruff and unsatisfied guy who never misses an opportunity to provide a snarky comment or unhelpful instruction. Sarah Overman's character, Julie, is the stereotypical air-headed college intern who wears her naivete on her sleeve.

Josh's internal monologues provide us insight into his psyche through the lens of his poetry. We see him struggle to maintain his sanity, as well as his ambition to become a poet rather than just another corporate drone.

The film is shot with a grainy, low-budget aesthetic that recalls indie films of the time. The focus is primarily on the characters and their interactions, rather than flashy visuals or special effects.

Haiku Tunnel may appeal to anyone who has ever felt trapped in an unfulfilling job or who has dealt with eccentric personalities in the workplace. However, it's the off-kilter sense of humor that really sets it apart. The writing is consistently clever and the performances are uniformly excellent.

Overall, Haiku Tunnel is an enjoyable and quirky workplace comedy that offers a unique take on the corporate grind. Josh Kornbluth's character is a likable underdog who is easy to root for, and the film's humor is consistently amusing without being too broad or slapstick. While it may not be a masterpiece, it's a fun and lighthearted way to pass the time.

Haiku Tunnel is a 2001 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 28 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1 and a MetaScore of 51.