In Good Company

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.

"In Good Company" is a mixed bag as a comedy drama. It definitely won't seem to be a hilarious film to most people, but apparently is to some. The drama is enough to have this film stand alone in that area - with some rewriting to get rid of some of the weak attempts at humor in the dialog. Perhaps some young people who have become so used to divorce in society, and dysfunction in families, can feel at home and see this as comedy.

I give it six stars for two reasons. First, the leads, especially Dennis Quaid and Topher Grace play their parts very well. Second, it takes a very good overall shot at the corporate business world. Not all big corporations are as hard-hearted as Globecom is in this movie. But most have become part of a new-age culture of business lingo that is obfuscatory, insensitive, and diverting - all to be able to hammer home profit and gains at all costs.

So, with some light humor and mostly distraught emotions and life drama situations, this film does a little number on the greed that seems to guide the business culture today. It does have a nice ending with some learning maturing of the male leads.

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

I was able to see a pre-screening of this movie last night, and I was extremely excited because I have been anxiously waiting for its release. I have to admit that I was not disappointed in the least with what I saw. The movie had a good solid story of a middle-aged man dealing with both supporting his family and keeping his job (bordering on a mid-life crisis), and a young man dealing with a new job, being alone, and finding what he actually wants to do with the rest of his life. Sure, it sounds like a pretty typical "finding yourself" movie, but the characters develop the plot into something special. Topher Grace was excellent in this film. I found him very charming and believable, and he was sincere in his role. However, Dennis Quaid was really wonderful. His character was likable, and you found yourself routing for him throughout. His interactions with his family were endearing, and his relationship with his daughter Alex (Scarlett Johanssen) reminded me of my own father. I highly recommend this movie. 4/5