"In Good Company" asks the question of whether or not people can still remain decent in the bottom-line driven world of corporations. The result is mixed, and really doesn't delve too deep into the question, but this is a feel-good film, so that's not really the point here.
Dan Foreman (Dennis Quaid) has worked in the advertising department of a sports magazine for more than 20 years, and is surviving in a relative funk with his wife and two daughters. Things become complicated when he discovers that a major corporation has just bought out his company, and they're sending over an energetic young executive to increase advertising revenue.
Carter Duryea (Topher Grace) makes it his duty to impress the corporate CEO and launches into the department with plans for synergy between different companies. Dan is demoted and embarrassed to be working under someone 25 years younger than him, but stays at his job to help pay for his daughter's education as well as the unexpected pregnancy of his wife Ann (Marg Helgenberger).
Carter on the other hand is dealing with stress as well, including the recent collapse of his own marriage along with the demands to increase advertising turnout, and shuns some of Dan's old-fashioned techniques of impressing clients. Things really become complicated once he begins dating Dan's daughter Alex (Scarlett Johansson), who may be flying too far from the nest thanks to her newfound freedom.
"In Good Company" is really a slice-of-life drama, that's trying to coast somewhere between Hollywood tearjerker and indie statement film. It's not really successful at either, but the actors here give such good performances that it doesn't really matter.
Quaid continues to prove just how competent an actor he can be, regardless of the material. Like with last year's eco-threat disaster film "The Day After Tomorrow," he manages to invest so much more life into mediocre characters, that it becomes a joy just to see him up on the big screen.
Grace likewise is likable, though at times the movie's absurdity of placing him as head of the department becomes a bit too unbelievable. Once again, though, what could have been a botched performance, such as if the producers got Ashton Kutcher (who they originally wanted), is saved by a talented performer. Helgenberger and Johansson both bring restrained power to their roles, with Johansson as standout as the young adult trying to stabilize her life while still seeking out her career path.
If the movie has any really drawbacks, it's the final act where all the lose ends come together too neatly. A grandstanding scene where Dan berates corporate policy as well as a finale where the advertising issue are dealt with both happen in "movieland," not the real world where most of this film seems to have been taking place. Thankfully the director chooses to downplay these parts, without emotional music swelling to dishonestly play with our minds or the like.
"In Good Company" isn't a great film, but it's still a fun watch. Seeing actors such as these be allowed to play real roles is the delight here, and should appeal to anyone curious of how the little man with a vision tries to survive inside the corporate juggernaut.
8 out of 10 stars. Quiad and Grace give solid performances that keep the film from sliding into melodramatic pabulum.
Dan Foreman (Dennis Quaid) has worked in the advertising department of a sports magazine for more than 20 years, and is surviving in a relative funk with his wife and two daughters. Things become complicated when he discovers that a major corporation has just bought out his company, and they're sending over an energetic young executive to increase advertising revenue.
Carter Duryea (Topher Grace) makes it his duty to impress the corporate CEO and launches into the department with plans for synergy between different companies. Dan is demoted and embarrassed to be working under someone 25 years younger than him, but stays at his job to help pay for his daughter's education as well as the unexpected pregnancy of his wife Ann (Marg Helgenberger).
Carter on the other hand is dealing with stress as well, including the recent collapse of his own marriage along with the demands to increase advertising turnout, and shuns some of Dan's old-fashioned techniques of impressing clients. Things really become complicated once he begins dating Dan's daughter Alex (Scarlett Johansson), who may be flying too far from the nest thanks to her newfound freedom.
"In Good Company" is really a slice-of-life drama, that's trying to coast somewhere between Hollywood tearjerker and indie statement film. It's not really successful at either, but the actors here give such good performances that it doesn't really matter.
Quaid continues to prove just how competent an actor he can be, regardless of the material. Like with last year's eco-threat disaster film "The Day After Tomorrow," he manages to invest so much more life into mediocre characters, that it becomes a joy just to see him up on the big screen.
Grace likewise is likable, though at times the movie's absurdity of placing him as head of the department becomes a bit too unbelievable. Once again, though, what could have been a botched performance, such as if the producers got Ashton Kutcher (who they originally wanted), is saved by a talented performer. Helgenberger and Johansson both bring restrained power to their roles, with Johansson as standout as the young adult trying to stabilize her life while still seeking out her career path.
If the movie has any really drawbacks, it's the final act where all the lose ends come together too neatly. A grandstanding scene where Dan berates corporate policy as well as a finale where the advertising issue are dealt with both happen in "movieland," not the real world where most of this film seems to have been taking place. Thankfully the director chooses to downplay these parts, without emotional music swelling to dishonestly play with our minds or the like.
"In Good Company" isn't a great film, but it's still a fun watch. Seeing actors such as these be allowed to play real roles is the delight here, and should appeal to anyone curious of how the little man with a vision tries to survive inside the corporate juggernaut.
8 out of 10 stars. Quiad and Grace give solid performances that keep the film from sliding into melodramatic pabulum.