Today’s economy is bound to have its effects on contemporary films. In writer/director Michael Walker’s Price Check, Pete Cozy (Eric Mabius) faces the hard decision of whether or not to stay in a job he hates just for the financial security. If this were the sole focal point of the film, Pete’s plight might ring with a little more sincerity and more heart. Instead, the film highlights Pete’s relationship with his overwhelming new boss, Susan Felders (Parker Posey). By dealing with their affair, the theme of the movie shifts from examining the idea of working and raising a family during a recession to a bizarre and overall bland office romance.

Pete lives on Long Island with his wife Sara (Annie Parisse) and their three-year-old son, Henry. After failing to make it in the music business, Pete settles for a job in the pricing department of a struggling supermarket chain. When his boss leaves and is replaced by Susan, he’s suddenly given a large raise and more responsibility. Susan is clearly talented and motivated, but she turns the low-key office into an intense and overbearing environment. She immediately latches on to Pete, wanting to use him to not only help whip her new employees into shape, but she’s also intrigued by his home life. Susan manages to invite herself over to Pete’s house, meet his wife, and even asks to attend their son’s school Halloween party.

All this behavior becomes less quirky and more concerning when Susan and Pete take a business trip to Los Angeles and their relationship turns sexual. Posey and Mabius, both staples of independent film, have little chemistry, and the awkwardness of the situation doesn’t help. Posey plays Susan as an overly enthusiastic business woman with clear emotional issues. Though the over-the-top nature of the role is purposeful, it doesn’t make sense in the very realistic world Price Check illuminates, especially when Pete is downplayed as a normal guy. While it would be interesting to see a more complex take on what it is like to be a woman in a powerful business role, Susan comes off as an unstable cliché.

Noteworthy are the side characters that show up in Pete’s office and in L.A. Remy Auberjonois has a small role, Josh Pais play Pete’s annoying coworker Doug, Cheyenne Jackson is Susan’s ex-boyfriend, and Edward Herrmann makes an appearance as Susan’s boss. These character actors give Price Check more texture, and at times I found myself wishing they had more screen time. Parisse is also wonderful as Pete’s wife. As a stay-at-home mom worrying about how to pay the bills, Parisse brings realness to the film that leaves one wanting a little more heart and less excessive characterization.

Also worth mentioning is the soundtrack by Dean Wareham and Britta Phillips of the New York City-based band Luna, who have done music for other independent films, like The Squid and the Whale. Luna is also weaved into the story; Pete admits he tried to sign them to a label when he was working in the music industry. Susan is also a fan, and she and Pete attend one of their concerts. It’s a nice touch.