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Josh Kornbluth, Warren Keith, Amy Resnick, Helen Shumaker, Brian Thorstenson ... see more see more... , Harry Shearer , Jacob Kornbluth

A temp worker is promoted to permanent status and finds his whole world changing as a result in this satiric comedy. Josh (Josh Kornbluth) is an overstuffed aspiring writer who is trying to finish his... read more read more... first novel, but in the meantime he supports himself by working as an office temp. Josh has grown accustomed to the Byzantine world of temporary labor, particularly the bossy secretaries and chilly co-workers, but Josh manages to impress his latest employers enough that they offer to make him a permanent, full-time employee. While a fellow temp who worked for the same company warns Josh that taking the job would be a mistake, Josh takes the plunge anyway, and soon discovers that his fellow employees now embrace him as one of their own. He also discovers that Bob Shelby (Warren Keith), his new boss, is more than a little crazy, and when Bob gives Josh an assignment to mail a series of important letters, John finds that he's suddenly incapable of doing this seemingly simple task. Instead, Josh spends his days working on his book (on company time and on a company computer), with his fellow office drones offering emphatic encouragement. Josh Kornbluth adapted Haiku Tunnel (with the help of John Bellucci and Jacob Kornbluth) from a semi-improvised one-man show Kornbluth created with David Ford; the Kornbluth brothers also directed the film. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

68% liked it

1,160 ratings

Critics

60% liked it

47 critics

R, 1 hr. 30 min.

Directed by: Jacob Kornbluth, Josh Kornbluth

Release Date: September 14, 2001

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DVD Release Date: February 26, 2002

Stats: 76 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (76)

  • mrbungle7821
    February 24, 2006
    mrbungle7821
    [font=Arial][color=darkred]Josh Kornbluth plays Josh Kornbluth, super temp in the world of office politics and incompetent corporate superiors. He's a working man's hero (well, a secretary's hero) as a round ball of puffy passive-aggressive professionalism. When asked to go perma... read morenent for a tax attorney ("We'll even cover your? psychotherapy") is when Josh's world begins to enter into comedic haywire. He's more adept at creatively finding ways around work then at actually accomplishing it. Kornbluth is a terrific comedic and a truly memorable figure. He co-wrote and co-directed the film with his brother from their stage play. 'Haiku Tunnel' often channels the spirit of the wicked satire 'Office Space' (a film that only gets funnier every time I watch it), but has enough of a feel all its own to be distinguishable. The film has some great lines and some imaginative characters to boot. 'Haiku Tunnel' is witty and often times hilarious, not to mention dead-on with its precision like satiric strikes. Kornbluth is a definite entertainment find and 'Haiku Tunnel' is a gem of a film worth looking for.[/color][/font]

    [font=Arial][color=darkred]Nate's Grade: B+[/color][/font]
  • threefolddado
    July 21, 2008
    threefolddado
    Some people really loved it, I thought it was just okay.
  • allefra25
    April 1, 2010
    allefra25
    Um. This movie was very strange. Also, Josh Kornbluth seemed very smug and his attempts at being 'meta' and ironic were pretty lame. It was just a very...strange...film. And I laughed, I dunno, once? Once. And the budget must have been pretty low. Either that or this was actually... read more shot in the 90s, as it looks.
  • cpeden
    April 2, 2007
    cpeden
    Saw 3/31. Kornbluth is charming - the type of person that you want making you laugh when you're sick. The movie itself was pleasant enough...

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Critic Reviews

Steven Rosen
October 27, 2001
Steven Rosen, Denver Post

In their low-budget, indie-film way, the Kornbluth brothers have come up with a modest, modern-day equivalent of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Full Review

Chris Vognar
October 18, 2001
Chris Vognar, Dallas Morning News

Kornbluth is funny, but not funny enough to carry his feature comedy. Full Review

Joe Baltake
October 15, 2001
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee

It starts off disarming and charming but grows tedious in its fastidious attention to meaningless details. Full Review

Louis B. Parks
October 9, 2001
Louis B. Parks, Houston Chronicle

A low-budget, mild-mannered comedy, often amusing and at times laugh-out-loud funny. Full Review

Desson Thomson
September 28, 2001
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

Josh becomes increasingly distraught and depressed, but not nearly as much as the poor people watching the movie.

Carrie Rickey
September 27, 2001
Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer

As 'Josh's' story wears on, so does one's patience.

Owen Gleiberman
September 24, 2001
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly

Kornbluth, with his softly discombobulated rage, makes you want to see more of him. Full Review

Jay Carr
September 21, 2001
Jay Carr, Boston Globe

Josh and Jacob Kornbluth emerge intact from their first filmmaking venture and score more hits than misses.

Andrew O'Hehir
September 21, 2001
Andrew O'Hehir, Salon.com

Haiku Tunnel, for all its limitations, has a mysterious power I found almost comforting. Full Review

Michael Wilmington
September 20, 2001
Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune

A funny movie, but like 'Josh' himself, it's too self-absorbed, and maybe too nice, for its own good. Full Review

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