A Job Well Done: Movie Quotes About Work, In Honor of Labor Day

 by Michael Lyons    

Oh sure, it's "summer's last gasp."  That's what Labor Day weekend has come to be known as.  That last chance to head to the beach, jump into the pool and fire up the bar-b-que before the leaves start falling and Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas" plays on repeat.

However, with all this, we may forget that Labor Day was initiated, as Wikipedia tells us, "...to honor and recognize the American labor movement and the works and contributions of laborers to the development and achievements of the United States."

As this day is all about celebrating the hard work done each day and also a time to relax, it's the perfect opportunity to celebrate movies that have celebrated this work.

What follows are just some of the many quotes from some of the many movies that have shed light on our workplace and workforce.  Here they are in all of their humor, cynicism, and inspiration:

 "I am your employee, and, as such, I expect to be treated equally, with a little dignity and a little respect!"

 - Violet (Lily Tomlin), 9 to 5 (1980).

"First rule of leadership: everything is your fault."

 - Hopper (Kevin Spacey), A Bug's Life (1998).

"Normally, it takes years to work your way up to the twenty-seventh floor.  But it only takes thirty seconds to be out on the street again."

 - J.D. Sheldrake (Fred MacMurray), The Apartment (1960).

"Never burn bridges.  Today's junior prick, tomorrow's senior partner."

 - Katherine (Sigourney Weaver), Working Girl, 1988.

"Human beings were not meant to sit in little cubicles staring at computer screens all day, filling out useless forms and listening to eight different bosses drone on about mission statements."

 - Peter (Ron Livingston), Office Space, 1999.

"So you got a job, where you play with all of these toys?"

"Yup!"

"And, they're gonna pay you for that?"!?"

"Yup!"

"SUCKERS!"

 - Josh (Tom Hanks) and Billy (Jared Ruston), Big, 1988.

"Just remember this, Mr. Potter, that this rabble you're talking about...they do most of the working and paying and living in this community.  Well, is it too much to have them work and pay and live and die in a couple of decent rooms and a bath?"

 - George (Jimmy Stewart), It's a Wonderful Life, 1946.

"Hey, I don't have all of the answers.  In life, to be honest, I failed as much as I have succeeded.  But I love my wife.  I love my life.  And I wish you my kind of success."

 - Dicky Fox (Jared Jussim), Jerry Maguire, 1996.

 

So, this weekend, as the sun sets on another summer, take the time to enjoy one of these, or one of the many other, films that celebrate our jobs, our dreams, and our hard work.

Happy Labor Day Weekend!

 

 

Sources:

IMDb

Wikipedia

Looking for that great Labor Day weekend book to read?  My book Drawn to Greatness: Disney's Animation Renaissance is now available on Amazon!

Staying inside as the weather gets cooler? Head over to my website Words From Lyons to enjoy my other articles and podcasts!