Edition:
January 21, 2005
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Movie/Theater Reviewers
Dan Foreman (Dennis Quaid) is a respected 51-year-old ad executive. Suddenly, he is demoted due to a corporate buyout. Dan’s new boss, Carter Duryea (Topher Grace, That 70’s Show), is half his age. Worse yet, the Boy-Boss is secretly dating our man Dan’s daughter. This premise totally creeps out these 50ish reviewers.
However, “In Good Company” manages not only to make this storyline palatable, but enjoyable, which is no small feat. Some of the more troublesome aspects of business, romance and family are intelligently addressed with wit and subtle humor. More importantly, these topics are integrated into a cohesive and appealing storyline.
Young Carter is a believable amalgamation of a heartless Type-A corporate kiss-butt who enjoys firing employees with the zeal of an attack Chihuahua. And, his “ready, fire, aim” approach to business impresses the Globecom fat cats on mahogany row. Therefore, they choose to groom Carter to be a top dog in their pack of dogs.
While busy advancing his career, Carter’s wife leaves him, which exposes an insecure, sensitive and even vulnerable side that is revealed to Dan’s daughter, Alex (Scarlett Johansson), a college student. On a side note, why are movie dorm mates always the dark embodiment of Marilyn Manson Goth? Anyway, Carter confesses to Alex that he realizes how truly inexperienced and green he is (not exactly green, maybe seafoam?)
Carter and Dan meet for lunch where Carter orders his own style of Yuppie Chow that further alienates Dan. Meanwhile, back at the office, Carter continues to make more changes than a mother of triplets, while the troops hope for The Donald to tell this guy, “You’re fired”! Reluctantly, they resign themselves to the fact that Carter and his ilk from Globecom are here to stay.
Carter offers Dan the “opportunity” to be his wingman. Yet, Dan clearly has no respect for him and they undoubtedly do not share the same corporate vision. Interestingly, they do occasionally work toward similar goals, including a beer league basketball game where this odd couple begins to establish a level of male bonding.
Dan discovers that his wife (Marg Helgenberg, CSI) is pregnant and Alex has been accepted at New York University. Realizing the extent of his financial responsibilities, Dan is forced to play by the rules of the contemptible corporate gamesmen.
Carter gradually begins to see a human side to the world. Then, a plot twist brings the storylines together when Globecom CEO, Teddy K (Malcolm McDowell), the evil genius, visits the local workplace for a potential day of reckoning. The myriad issues are not instantly resolved, but a worthy and viable direction emerges from the outcome.
Anyone who has worked in Corporate America would receive dividends from In Good Company, rated PG-13. It’s a feel good movie, but fortunately, never tries to be great. It addresses troubling issues with intelligent writing and direction from Paul Weitz (About a Boy). Corporate take-overs can be hostile in so many ways. Organization charts are populated with real people with real families who just want to be In Good Company.
Ron’s Rating: B+ Leigh’s Rating: B
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