Reine Chefsache

Splendid performances by Dennis Quaid, Topher Grace, and Scarlett Johannson.

Dennis Quaid plays the 51 year old ad executive whose company has been taken over by mogul Teddy Kay. Topher Grace is the hot shot who is sent into the mix to shake things up (fire people).

The interactions among the three stars is wonderful. I also enjoyed the genuine affection the family members had toward each other. It is nice to see family life portrayed in such a positive light.

The movie engaged me from beginning to end. The characters grow into their parts as the movie progresses.

By the unexpected ending I was totally engaged, caring about each one of these people.

What happens when a salesman in his early 50's is suddenly supplanted by a new young buck half his age, who also happens to be sleeping with his daughter? Dennis Quaid in one his best roles, plays Dan Foreman, an ad salesman at the golden point of his career. The magazine he works for is also part of a business conglomerate and when that're bought out, Carter (Topher Grace) is brought in to bring up revenue and replace Dan in his job. He also ends up firing many of the men that Dan hired, but keeps Dan on as sort of a wingman because Carter doesn't know anything about running an ad dept.

Dan's home-life is getting more complicated as well. His wife (Marg Helgenberger) is suddenly pregnant and his daughter (Scarlet Johannsen) is transferring to a more expensive university. Dan takes all this in stride the best he can because he knows he needs to hold on to his job because who'll hire a 52 year old salesman that commands his salary. But things start heading south as more and more of Dan's friends are fired and he soon realizes that Carter and his daughter are a couple.

This movie is very smartly written and very well acted. Quaid is at his best in these more reserved roles and Topher Grace is very good as the new stud, but unaware that he is in over his head. "In Good Company" is sort of an example of how out of control the business world has gotten with new technology and synergy, where the old timers really don't have much of a chance anymore because things are advancing so much. (***1/2)

IN GOOD COMPANY (2004) ***1/2 Dennis Quaid, Topher Grace, Scarlett Johansson, Marg Helgenberger, David Paymer, Clark Gregg, Philip Baker Hall, Selma Blair, Frankie Faison. Better than anticipated comedy drama from filmmaker Paul Weitz about a middle-aged ad salesman (Quaid, never finer) who finds himself dispensable when his company is bought out by a corporate takeover, which involves a new boss, who's old enough to be his son (Grace continuing to be the Tom Hanks of his generation). Things get dicey when his daughter begins to see the young upstart as well as each one discovering something unique about their situation overall. Very funny and surprisingly warm screenplay covers all the bases until its seemingly pat final act. Bravo to the fine ensemble especially Johansson whose natural style is a breath of fresh air.

Director Paul Weitz's Best Screenplay; Topher Grace's Break-Out in Film (his first and best film performance to date); Scarlett Johansson continued her rapid ascent in film at only age 19, and Dennis Quad hits a home run in one of his most endearing and connected performances.

Ignore the trailer that fails to capture the subtle moments in the film.

This is a nearly perfect "little film" with a great story that draws you in with believable charecters, and first rate performances by every actor.

'In Good Company' takes one through the balancing of middle-age fatherhood and career (Quad), with heart, humor, and a positive family-first theme (without resorting to cliches or the "Hollywood" treatment). Safe for 12+ year olds, and identifiable characters and themes for adults.

Add in the perspective of a bright mid-twenties professional's (Topher Grace) search for happiness - meaningful career, love, a wife, starting a family, and a life-mentor/father-figure (Quad), while navigating the good, the bad, and the indifferent of corporate personalities, and interesct the two generations, and you have a film that engages one from beginning to end.

Soundtrack is wonderfully in sync with the emotions of the film.

Co-star Johansson is flawless in building upon her breakout 'Lost In Translation' and 'Pearl Earring' performances. This mid-2000 decade acting period was when she made her mark, rapidly ascending to stardom, and honing her acting skills in key roles when she was only 18 to 20 years old.

Johansson's character (Quad's daughter and Grace's love interest) is essential to drawing Quad/Grace towards their inevitable surrogate father/son relationship, and she does so perfectly, making every actor around her look good - why she didn't receive Best Performance In A Supporting Role nomination is perplexing, but probably due to her already highly-recognized performances over the previous 18 months - quite an impressive resume for a teenager.

A must-see film and one that is just as great the second and third time viewing it.

Got in to see one of those audience recruited screenings. I was expecting sort of vanilla type movie, but was VERY PLEASANTLY SURPRISED...it is GOOD! Not superb, but definitely fun, original and very very topical! Dennis Quaid plays an ad exec whose company is taken over by a big conglomerate. Topher Grace, who is half Dennis' age, becomes his boss, and we see the dramatic and comedic dynamic (too may "ics") of the two men as they try to cope with an in flux work and home life. Dennis Quaid and Scarlett Johansson are very good, but Topher Grace is the body slam surprise performance here. Also, as a bonus for the audience, all the supporting cast is filled in with great character actors. I hate spending ten bucks on a ho-hum movie, but this one is definitely worth it. Story-9, Acting-8, Humor-9, Drama-8....OVERALL: 8.5