Improper Channels (1981) is a satisfactory satire about the tyranny of bureaucracy in the lives of ordinary people. Alan Arkin and Mariette Hartley have great chemistry as the separated couple whose battle for the custody of their daughter brings them back together, and even outside of this subplot, they give solid, likable performances which prove the best part of the movie. Otherwise. this film could have used a stronger script and a longer run-time to flesh out the satire and characters more. If you're a fan of any of the actors (I'm not gonna lie, I only watched for Arkin), then this film will likely interest you. While I had a good time with it and liked the climax with the computer, I wouldn't call it a lost classic.