Cast: Dennis Quaid, Scarlett Johansson, Topher Grace, Marg Helgenberger, David Paymer and Philip Baker Hall
Director: Paul Weitz
Studio Synopsis: Dan Foreman (Dennis Quaid) is headed for a shakeup. He is demoted from head of ad sales for a major magazine when the company he works for is acquired in a corporate takeover. His new boss, Carter Duryea (Topher Grace) is half his age. Both men are going through turmoil at home. Dan has two daughters and is shocked when his wife tells him she's pregnant with a new child. Between college tuition, the mortgage and a new baby, Dan can't afford to lose his job in the wave of corporate layoffs. Tom, in the meanwhile, is dumped by his wife of seven months just as he gets his promotion. Dan and Tom's uneasy friendship is thrown into jeopardy when Tom falls for, and begins an affair with, Dan's daughter Alex (Scarlett Johansson). Weitz's examination of life's surprises, ironies and coincidences combine to form synergy.
Rating: PG-13
Running Time: 110 minutes
Official Web site: http://www.ingoodcompanymovie.com/
Trailer: http://www.ingoodcompanymovie.com/
The Verdict: A heartfelt plead for Corporate America to treat its workforce with greater dignity and respect, In Good Company could easily devolve at any moment into the springboard for a new sitcom for That Õ70s Show star Topher Grace. The premise is pure primetime TV: middle-aged executive Dan Foreman (Dennis Quaid) finds himself demoted and must now answer to young hotshot Carter Duryea (Grace), whoÕs almost half his age but possesses none of his experience. Of course, Dan canÕt afford to lose his job now that is his wife (Marg Helgenberger) is pregnant with their third child. Then Dan discovers that his daughter Alex (Scarlett Johansson) is getting too close to Carter. Cue the canned laughter? No, thanks to director Paul WeitzÕs efforts to avoid the easy laughs that would render In Good Company insufferable and irrelevant. That said, it doesn't go for the jugular in the same satiric manner as The Office. Like About a Boy, which Weitz directed with his brother Chris, In Good Company takes a mature and sophisticated look at an intergenerational relationship thatÕs initially founded on antagonism and mutual suspicion. The tension between Dan and CarterÑand the pressure to succeed in their new capacitiesÑallows Weitz to quietly and pointedly castigate workplace practices that demoralize and dehumanize. And when it comes to siding with the seasoned pro with the personal touch or the young turk enamored with the hard sell, In Good Company proudly endorses the old-school way of doing business. Sure, itÕs wishful thinking that this in this era of instant gratification that the soft sell will stage a comeback, but at least In Good Company has its heart in the right place. As the symbol of corporate decency, Quaid displays a quiet patience and a sincere belief in his way of doing business. Grace, who carries with him the geeky charm he possesses as That Õ70s ShowÕs Eric, makes a formidable but sympathetic corporate ladder climber often troubled than by his take-no-prisoners way. Unfortunately, the usually austere Johansson is terribly underused despite giving her most warmest performance to date as QuaidÕs no-nonsense but otherwise nondescript daughter. Consequently, the romance between Carter and Alex never proves as deep or as intriguing as the professional relationship that he cultivates with Dan. But thatÕs the only flaw of this smart corporate comedy that, to borrow one of CarterÕs favorite sayings, is pretty fricking good.
ÑRobert Sims
Other Reviews:
Hollywood.com (3 stars)
The Miami Herald (3 stars)
The Sun-Sentinel (3 stars)
City Link
New Times Broward-Palm Beach
The Palm Beach Post |
