Top 5: Films That Stick It To The Man

List by Aaron Haughton 

We all wanna stick it to the man, but sometimes we lack the courage or freedom to really be able to do so. That's why it's always cathartic and gratifying to see a character (or characters) in a film live it out for us. These are the top 5 (predominantly) workplace films that really stick it to the man, helping us cope and endure for a little while longer.  

• 5. American Beauty

American Beauty isn't entirely a workplace film, which is why it's on the number 5 slot. However, it does involve some pretty classic sticking-it-to-the-man action that occur on multiple levels. For starters, there's the mysterious next door neighbor kid, Ricky Fitts, with his camera and government grade marijuana. Ricky only works as a cover to keep his overbearing father at bay, and the night Lester meets him at some function for his wife, Ricky up and tells his boss to stop paying him because he quits. That's sticking it to the man on two levels: the father and the boss. This act imbues Lester to up and quit his job in the best way possible: by good 'ole fashioned blackmail. Let's not forget, of course, how Lester's wife, Carolyn, wants to be the best in real estate. In order to do that, she fucks the current king of real estate in their area, Buddy Kane. That's another two-fold stick to the man; one to Lester and one to Buddy.  

• 4. Clerks

Dante and Randal are the quintessential slackers who regularly stick one to the man. Coming and going as they please. Heckling and terrorizing customers. Closing down to play hockey on the roof and even check up on old love interests. Nope, it doesn't get much better than that. Take some advice from Randal and start living: 

• 3. Bad Santa

Not only is Billy Bob the foulest Santa we've ever seen, he and his elf partner stick it to the man every goddamn year by ripping off the malls they're employed by. Billy Bob sticks it to the man just by existing. He has no regard for his job, curses and drinks on the job, and even fucks women in the ass in the fitting room. He might not be the best role model, but he is right about one thing: don't bother Santa on his lunch. 

• 2. Fight Club

I am Jack's complete lack of surprise and his smirking revenge. Just like good 'ole Lester Burnham, Ed Norton sticks it to the man via blackmail. This time taking it to a bigger, better extreme: by beating the complete shit out of himself and playing it off like it was the boss. It can be argued that the entirety of Fight Club is just one big fuck you to the man. 

• 1. Office Space

The number one slot has to go to Mike Judge's classic debut film, Office Space, which changed the face of workplace comedies forever. Whenever I've had a rough day and am thinking in the back of my mind, Fuck this goddamn job, I can always put this film on and instantly feel better. In a lot of ways, Peter is my spirit animal. We both do about 15 minutes of actual work and have mastered the art of pretending to work. He and I both just want to do absolutely nothing. There are so many great moments of sticking it to the man here, like Michael, Samir, and Peter's plot to steal money from the company, Milton burning the place down, Jennifer Aniston's freak out at Chotchkie's, and, well, Peter's entire demeanor. Of course, it doesn't get much more gangster than this: 

What do you think? What would you add to the list? We want to know. Share your thoughts and feelings in the comments section below, and, remember: