Customer Reviews

In Good Company

5 star:		(44)
4 star:		(49)
3 star:		(29)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

If you've seen the preview you already know this movie is about Dennis Quaid's company being taken over by a larger corporation. Quaid's ad division is then assigned Topher Grace as the new boss and Quaid is demoted. The characters are thoroughly explored and milked for plenty of laughs. This is a smart comedy that does not rely on bathroom humor to pull it's weight. There is nothing offensive here. You could take your grandmother and not blush one time.

The interaction between Quaid and Grace is wonderful. Grace almost immediately begins to admire his older underling, Quaid, and look to him as the father he never had and always wanted. During the interoffice scenes, Grace becomes enamored with Quaid's daughter, Scarlet Johansen. She too is wonderful in this role.

The only them not explored is the trust issue between father and daughter. They make much of it on the surface, but never once do Scarlet and Grace discuss keeping their relationship a secret from Quaid. Which of course is a major turning point in the film.

You really can't beat this movie for intelligent comedy.

"In Good Company" is definitely good comedy and makes for terrific entertainment! Contemporary big business practices are satirized here Big Time! Written and directed by Paul Weitz, this is a film with a fluid storyline interwoven with some poignant threads about how we set our priorities and choose to live our lives. Not corny or too sentimental, the top-notch cast and good acting only increase the viewers' pleasure. Dennis Quaid is fabulous here, as is Topher Grace, his young nemesis. What more could one desire in a movie for a fun evening - except some hot popcorn?

Dan Foreman, (Dennis Quaid), is the successful Director of Marketing for Sports America Magazine. He actually likes his work, which is good, since he is a twenty-five year veteran of the ad industry. Dan is a fifty-something family man, married to forty-ish Anne Foreman, (stunning Marg Helgenberger from TV's CSI), who, we learn early on, is pregnant - a pre-menopausal surprise! It's OK, they're thrilled about the upcoming event! Daughter Alex, (Scarlett Johansson), an eighteen year-old college student, and her slightly younger sister Jana, (Zena Gray), really make-up the kind of warm, loving family anyone would want to belong to. These are decent, intelligent, normal people, who all seem to possess a sense of humor - some quirkier than others.

Carter Duryea, (Topher Grace), is a 26 year-old marketing wiz for GlobeCom, a multinational corporate conglomerate, owned and run by a Rupert Murdoch-like figure, "Teddy K," (Malcolm McDowell). Carter has frequently impressed his colleagues and managers with his creativity. His latest success, a cell phone ad campaign which targets preschoolers with dinosaur multi-colored mini phones, that roar instead of ring, has put smiles on GlobeCom employees' faces. Carter is driven, smart, smug and filled with energy fueled by lots of caffeine. He chugs down cup after cup of Starbucks' best. His marriage to a shallow, spoiled, deb type is definitely on the wane. Maybe he should spend more time at home, less at work. But then he wouldn't be GlobeCom's golden boy.

When GlobeCom acquires Sports America Magazine, young Turk Carter Duryea is promoted to head of ad sales. Guess whose position he usurps? At least Dan still has a job - as Carter's assistant - his "wing man!" Carter moves into Dan's corner office. Believe it or not, there are worse nightmares. Corporate acquisitions and mergers frequently trigger downsizing and lay-offs. Dan's entire sales team and many other Sports America employees are fired. Meanwhile, Dan's emotions run the gamut from rage to disbelief. And Carter doesn't know too much about magazine sales. He does talk a lot about "synergy," however - a popular buzz word around GlobeCom. In a rousing speech to his new "team," he asks them if they are "psyched for an awesome quarter." Although nobody seems to understand what this all means, they are eager to suck-up to the new boss, so they nod their heads in agreement.

"Synergy" we are informed by Teddy K., "means the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. The relationship which the parts have to each other is a part in and of itself - the most empowering, unifying and exciting part." Carter comes to learn what Dan knows from Day 1 - "synergy" does not sell ads!

Weitz has structured his film in such a way that as we observe the parallel lives of Foreman and Duryea, we do not villanize the aggressive, yuppie brat. In fact, the further we move into the story, the more sympathetic both Carter and Dan become as characters. Dan may be depressed, humiliated and frustrated about his demotion, but trust me when I say that Carter's life is not the proverbial "bowl of cherries!" The juxtaposition of scenes contrasting the two men's worlds is truly effective. In one instance Dan signs papers taking out a second mortgage to pay for Alex's transfer to NYU, plus the expenses a new baby will incur - while Carter signs his divorce papers and buys a top-of-the-line Porsche. Dan's contented family life, along with his temporary financial difficulties are far removed from the financially secure but very lonely and isolated situation young Carter experiences.

Dan invites Carter to dinner after a long business meeting - not through hospitality, but by accident. He never expects Carter to accept. Carter and Dan's daughter Alex click, subtly enough that both parents are unaware. Carter finds in Alex a person he can talk to with honestly, without pretension. Alex experiences similar feelings. The situation really becomes weird when the two begin a relationship, while, at the same time, Dan and Carter's relationship improves - in many ways resembling a father-son situation, even when things turn violent. The dynamic between the two businessmen continually shifts, as do those between Alex and her father, Alex and Carter, Dan and Anne, etc.. There are enough wily twists and turns in the plot to keep things lively throughout. Nothing sappy or contrived here!

This is an intelligent film well worth watching. I recommend it highly.
JANA

This review is partly in response to the review "Pleasant while you're seeing it, but eminently forgettable." My reaction is the opposite: eminently memorable in spite of minor flaws.

The film deals with a subject of recent and continuing importance (though not quite as trendy as "outsourcing"), the reckless transactions of megacorporations and consequent downsizing as the last dollar of immediate profit is squeezed out of purchased or merged enterprises. The related issue of displacement of older workers by young, energetic, cheaper ones also plays a part. The film is not just an economic essay, though, and the effects of the corporate manipulations on individual lives are its focus.

Dan (Dennis Quaid) is the 51 year old head of advertising sales for the magazine Sports America. When it is bought by the GlobalCom empire (headed by flimflamming guru "Teddy K") whizkid Carter (Topher Grace) is brought in to take over his department, and rounds of layoffs ensue amid a drive for enhanced sales and profits. Dan is not having the best year of his life .. in addition to demotion and uncertainty at work, his college student daughter Alex (Scarlett Johansson), always the trusted buddy, becomes withdrawn and transfers from her local school to NYU (think, big money). His wife is unexpectedly pregnant, and between the two he must remortgage his house. Carter also has a rough time .. he doesn't relish the harsh realities of firing people; he buys a new Porsche, and wrecks it on the way out of the dealer's lot; his wife walks out on him. Then through several chance meetings, he finds himself able to talk openly and honestly to Alex (with that patented Johansson stare), eventually turning into a loving relationship which continues behind Dan's back.

Quaid's portrayal of Dan is workmanlike and solid. Johansson's Alex is well played and mature. There are a number of other very nicely done supporting roles (especially non-20-somethings). But even though I'm an old geezer who I'm sure the demographic beancounters at GlobalCom would expect to focus on Quaid's performance/character, it is Topher Grace's Carter which really makes the film work for me and sets it apart from a simple "bad guys / good guys" dichotomy. The character is well written and Grace excellent in the part, as he evolves from a self-involved, clever adolescent to a feeling, adult person who realizes his actions have consequences. Carter's almost dazed reaction to the events, good and bad, in his life is convincingly portrayed by Grace as that of a naturally withdrawn, thoughtful young man seduced by glitter and success, but having second thoughts. However, the backstory could have shown some of the ruthlessness (or at least disregard of others) that must have been necessary to get him the shot at this job, beyond cute tyrannosaur kiddie phones. It's hard to believe he could have been successful in such a cutthroat outfit as GlobalCom without some hard edge, which at least on first viewing I did not detect.

In contrast to the previous reviewer, this is a film that I think will stick in my mind for a long time, and which I plan to watch again soon.

A couple of quibbles:
-- the scene where Carter and Alex are playing tennis, rallying, and she is standing in the center of the court eating an apple while running him from side to side. This is supposed to indicate how much better she is than he, but actually shows the reverse -- any tyro can scatter the ball hither and yon (though admittedly she seems to be doing so in a well directed way, with malicious intent) but it takes considerable skill to consistently hit balls directly to someone so they don't need to move, especially when hitting on the run. Cute idea, but not realistic.)
-- In the relationship between Carter and Alex, once they start dating they don't seem to talk anymore, in particular about how it effects their individual relations with Dan. Telling him is never brought up.

This has to be my surprise find of 2004! How many recent films have stood for something fundamental and still managed to be heart-warming and funny without being schticky? Let's count them on an amputee's fingers.

The main thrust of In Good Company is to sketch the lives of people caught in the throes of capricious M&As but it offers an accurate glimpse into modern office environments -- motivating co-workers, intra-office hostilities, nepotism and favoritism, and so forth -- much of which is handled with uncanny weight.

The movie is not without it lighter moments though, every mention of harebrained co-branding strategies or of platitudes like "synergy" had me grinning and cringing at the same time.

While the film's ultimate resolutions are too feel-good for its own good, it couches a great deal of sensitivity for its characters. We readily relate to the folks in the company. The flurry of indiscrimate downsizing is not easy to watch, nor is the apprehension thereof.

On the family front, father-daughter relationships are well played out. Dennis Quaid in his bipolar role of experience and naivete guns for the Jack Nicholesque and nearly gets there.

But no question, the show belongs to the youngsters. Scarlett Johansson continues in the same understated confident streak as Lost in Translation. Her chemistry with Topher Grace feels very natural, who by the way has to be among the most promising young actors around. His versatile performance hits just the right notes in both measured humor and complex poise. That we're able to feel for his whippersnapper character at all is evidence enough.

For its assured near-noirish tone or the soft rock on its soundtrack that captures two ends of the generational spectrum, I'd say this film would make for an exquisite evening rental. You won't be disappointed.

This is one of those movies that kind of flies under the radar and it's unfortunate. It has so many great moments in it. Really good script...

I enjoyed this film a lot more than I thought I would. I was worried that it would be a silly comedy or a lame love story. I was pleasantly surprised. The movie has a number of funny moments, but it also succeeds in seeming "real" in a sense. I found myself interested in what was happening in the lives of both Dennis Quaid and Topher Grace. A few of the other characters had some appeal, but these two guys were by far the most interesting. Dennis Quaid really shines in his role. I was a little disappointed by the character played by Scarlett Johanssen. She is good actress, but the role just didn't seem to have much soul to it. Still, the story of the two lead characters is the real key to the film; her character is just required to add an element of awkwardness to their relationship.

I was also pleased with the way the film ended. For a mild drama/comedy like this, I was expecting a run of the mill ending. I was glad they strayed from the standard formula.

While this film is no Academy Award nominee, it is a film that I would recommend to just about anyone who wants to enjoy a few hours watching a fun movie that gives them a something to think about without being too serious.

This movie was one of those that surprise because of the misleading trailers. I really thought this was going to be more of a screw-ball comedy between father/daughter/boy-boss. It actually turns out to be more about finding your way in the world--both at the beginning and at the middle. Topher Grace is great as Dennis Quaid's younger boss. He has just the right mixture of anxiousness and charm needed to make the character believable. He reminded me of Tom Hanks quite a bit. Dennis Quaid is also wonderful as the middle aged man being squeezed out of a job he's held for 20 some years. The whole vision of the company take over and "synergy" is a great metaphor for what's going on during this movie.
That's not to say it doesn't have it's lighter moments. The comedy is fun but not in the same was as say, "Meet the Fockers". I'd peg it as a Dramady..and a fine one at that.

Dennis Quaid plays a 51-year-old father of two daughters and head of a sales division for a sporting magazine. After a buyout, he is demoted and has a new boss, a 26-year-old coffee-drinking yuppie full of corporate speak and blind ambition who falls in love with Quaid's gorgeous daughter. The father's self-worth is tested savagely in this comic film which, exploring the absurdity and brutality of the corporate world, actually has a moral message about integrity and being true to yourself. It's rare that a comedy is both funny and packed with moral meaning as it attempts to find redemption for the father and his new boss. For a darker look at corporate life with no redemption for the characters, check out the bleak and nihilistic In the Company of Men by Neil LeBute.

It is extremely rare when a movie made and produced by a major studio such as Universal can feel and entertain like an independent film. Relatively, of course; while there are defininte Hollywood influences, compared to most of the crap that Hollywood puts out now, this film has a very non-mainstream feel to it.
"In Good Company" tells the story of three people living in New York City and its suburbs. Dan Foreman (Dennis Quaid) is the head of ad sales at Sports America, one of the most prominent sports magazines in the country, and he has been happily employed there for about 30 years. Everything suddenly changes when the publishing company that owns Sports America is bought out by the super-corporation Globecom, run by the eccentric Teddie K (an uncredited Malcolm McDowell), and soon, the 51-year-old Dan is demoted. His replacement is the 26-year-old Carter Duryea (Topher Grace), an up-and-coming hot-shot who, while being a very nice guy, has no idea how to run an ad department. The third member of the movie's trio is Alex Foreman (Scarlett Johansson), who has just transferred to NYU to pursue a degree in creative writing.
So at first, Dan obviously harbors a lot of animosity towards Carter. Carter, however, looks up to Dan, despite the fact that he is Dan's boss, for not only does Dan know what he's doing, but Dan has "the perfect life" according to Carter (sadly for Carter, his wife of seven months, Kimberly [Selma Blair] has just left him- possibly for the second time). Dan has a loving wife (Marg Helgenberger), two beautiful daughters (the other played by Zena Grey), and a third child on the way. After Carter is able to get himself invited over for dinner, he and Alex begin a romantic relationship, and for the first time in his life, Carter may be truly happy.
The movie told a great story about corporations; while it never really called them evil, it did point out a lot of their shortcomings in comic ways. I'm pretty sure that the CEO, Teddie K, is a caricature of the CEO of Virgin, and there is something he says that is probably one of the greatest jab at corporations in the movie, but it is very subtle (it may have even been an unintentional joke). It dealt with selling sodas on all seven continents simultaneously (even Anctarctica!). However, I was surprised that a movie seemingly about the dangers of corporations had so many corporate sponsorships (Dominoe's and Pepsi were even mentioned by name).
Lately, there have been way too many comedies that have had no heart. In "In Good Company", you actually care about the characters, even when you are laughing with/at them, and believe me, there is a LOT to laugh about. Furthermore, while all the actors in this movie do a great job, the three lead actors are astounding. Grace and Quaid play extremely well each other, both when they are at odds as well as when they are friends. The young Johansson keeps continuing to amaze me with both her talent and her beauty. I can hardly believe that this girl is barely 20 years old (just about 2 years older than I am); both her acting ability and her appearance are a lot more mature than the average actress her age, which tends to be the over-surplussed "teen queen" (note to Ms. Johansson if you are reading this [not likely, though]: this is a compliment, and I'm sure you appreciate the benefits of not being part of that category).
As I said at the beginning of the review, this film had a very independent feel to it. Unlike most mainstream movies, I was unable to predict the direction in which this film went, and I was very satisfied by the ending, which was definitely not a typical "Hollywood ending". That's not to say that there weren't a few moments that felt a little contrived, but the majority of the film more than made up for the few instances of corn.

This isn't the greatest film you'll ever watch, but I was pleasantly suprised because I had thought it'd be awful. Good performances overall, but nothing spectacular. I like the discussion of corporate politics in the film, but such discussion would be furthered with character we'd actually care about.