Memron was a multi-kajillion dollar company. At least they were before going belly up after being embroiled in scandals involving fraud and bankruptcy, and all at the expense of their hundreds of employees who were left high and dry. Sound familiar? That's okay, it didn't really get a lot of coverage...
Memron the movie obscures its obvious influences about as well as the title obscures the company it's lampooning. It's a loose, indie take on the mocumentary genre, made popular through films like This Is Spinal Tap and Best In Show, as well as both versions of the television series The Office. It's a fun genre, and lends itself especially well to character development and quirky situations as it allows for generous background through direct interviews, “candid” behind-the-scenes discussion, and loose narrative.
This particular story revolves around a group of ex-employees who attend a self-help discussion group for those who have been laid off by Memron. While the executives are busy killing time in a plush, minimum-security prison, the employees are left trying to move on with their lives, although wondering what they could possibly be suited for outside the insulary cubicle world they've inhabited for years. Eventually they decide to band together and get back on their feet by starting a new company. Their product? Designer air, which, after the success of all manner of bottled water, they're convinced is the next big thing.
The plot follows them around as they strive to move on with their lives... while not ever really moving on. The former alpha dogs still dominate the group, while the submissive underlings feel content to continue on that path. All the while the scheming former bosses are watching their every move and plotting away. It would all be good, ridiculous fun if some of the jabs didn't mesh so well with actual office politics.
The movie stars an able cast of actors, including Michael McShane (Office Space), Claire Forlani (Meet Joe Black), Joey Slotnick (Nip/Tuck, Alias), Tim Bagley (Will & Grace) and many others. The trick of the production is that, much in the spirit of Christopher Guest's mockumentary movies, the dialogue is largely improvised. The cast and editors work together admirably well to deliver a mostly cohesive storyline, and in the process poke fun at corporate culture and the mindless pursuit of what has come to be known as the American Dream.
Director and Writer Nancy Hower (who currently directs and writes the TBS series 10 Items Or Less, which stars fellow Memron alum John Lehr) leads this troupe through the murky waters of Memron's aftermath. And while a lot of directors like to be very hands-on, Hower took it one step further by sometimes being the only crew member. With a camera in one hand and a boom mic in the other, she would oftentimes be able to freely move about the cast as they improvised, where many first takes found their way into the final cut. Now that's indie film-making. But it's not a solo affair, and she is joined in Crewless Productions by Producer and Editor Robert Hickey, as well as Producer and Memron actress Evie Peck.
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