In Good Company

Release Date: January 14, 2005
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some sexual content and drug references
Written and Directed by: Paul Weitz
Starring: Dennis Quaid, Scarlett Johansson, Topher Grace, Marg Helgenberger, David Paymer, Philip Baker Hall

Plot:
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 (played by Topher Grace) is half his age--a business school prodigy who preaches corporate synergy. While Dan develops clients through handshake deals and relationships, Carter cross-promotes the magazine with the cell phone division and "Krispity Krunch," an indeterminate snack food under the same corporate umbrella. Both men are going through turmoil at home. Dan has two daughters--Alex, age 18, and Jana, age 16--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. Carter, in the meanwhile, is dumped by his wife of seven months just as he gets his promotion. Dan and Carter's uneasy friendship is thrown into jeopardy when Carter falls for, and begins an affair with, Dan's daughter Alex (Scarlett Johansson).

Review:
In Good Company is what "feel good" movies are all about. After the year got off to an awful start, finally the first positive film of the year has arrived. Its not an action fest and its not a horror, its a pure dramatic romance filled with a few laughs on the side. This film is effective in a minor way, but is actually a major hit in its respected genre. There are plenty of unexpected surprises in this film.

This film has combined a cast that are very differential. Dennis Quaid, Scarlett Johansson and Topher Grace play the main characters in this film. The plot is very simple and straight-forward and the acting isn't over-acted. Part of what makes In Good Company work is its simplicity and its shining moments that suck you in completely. This film draws you in from the beginning until its conclusion.

If we cut straight to the actors, Topher Grace who is mainly known for his character in the television show That 70's show surely delivers a nice performance. His performance by no means is groundbreaking, but he plays the shy and innocent character rather well. This, of course, could be how he truly functions therefore being a breeze for him to do. Either way, he functions well with Dennis Quaid and the chemistry between himself and Scarlett is present.

Its all about the characters when it comes to this film. Director Paul Weitz who also wrote the movies makes sure that the actors are owning the screen and he is making sure there is emotion involved. When a film connects well with audiences, it can overshadow the minor flaws that it may have. In Good Company has minor stumbles that it comes across, but it always managed to delete it from hurting the overall product.

Paul Weitz is responsible for the mediocre Down to Earth but he has made two other solid films. American Pie and About a Boy was directed by this man. He can proudly add In Good Company to his hit list because it can stand next to them on the positive side. Weitz has an eye for letting situations reach its climax before dropping that and bringing up a new one.

The classic subject of fathers not wanting their daughters to grow up too fast is present while you witness In Good Company. The formula is not new, but is altered and enhanced in many ways to create a new way and a new look to that type of relationship. Its hard to imagine a young man bossing around a man twice his age, but college sure does get you places.

If you expect a Lost in Translation type Scarlett Johansson in this movie than you are being misrepresented. Her performance in one of the best films of 2003 is superior to hers in this. However, it was not expected for a little movie like In Good Company to have oscar material or oscar calibur performances. It's intentions were to fulfill a viewer with two hours of entertainment and with a long lasting smile.

In Good Company is quite the delight in the midst of a bad month. The honest truth is this film will mostly likely be forgettable, but for the time that In Good Company lasts it will be worth it. Set yourself to the side and think about when you were once young and in love and let this film wrap you up in a blanket. This film is sweet, lovable and caring, what can be bad about that.