IMDb user comments for
In Good Company (2004)

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58 out of 68 people found the following comment useful :-
Surprisingly VERY good, 7 December 2004
Author: berisky-1 from Los Angeles, CA

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

39 out of 50 people found the following comment useful :-
Foxhole Synergy, 5 December 2004

Author: David Ferguson (fergusontx@comcast.net) from Dallas, Texas

Greetings again from the darkness. Saw the Dallas premiere this evening of the newest from director Paul Weitz ("About a Boy" and "American Pie"). Weitz continues to show promise as a director, although again he struggles with poor pacing, even sometimes dragging the story line. Overall, this one will surprise as it is not as formulaic as the previews would lead us to believe. Dennis Quaid ("Far From Heaven", "The Alamo") continues his resurgence into movie stardom with another fine turn, this time as a middle aged ad salesman whose world gets rocked personally and professionally all in one day. Topher Grace ("That 70's Show") is the Yin to Quaid's Yang when he is introduced as his half-his-age, with no experience boss. Of course, it only gets worse for Quaid as his new, young boss falls for Quaid's college student daughter, Scarlett Johansson ("Lost in Translation" and "Girl With a Pearl Earring") AND his wife tells him she is pregnant - despite "being past all that". Johansson doesn't deliver the nuanced performance of "Lost in Translation", but Topher Grace will awaken many to his acting ability (check him out in "Traffic"). Philip Baker Hall, David Paymer and Marg Helgenberger are all fine in supporting roles and the great Malcom MacDowell is terrific in a brief cameo as a corporate big wig similar to Warren Buffett. Nice little story that provides a few touching moments and a couple of good laughs. This one should have decent box office appeal, while providing a Hollywood anomaly by displaying a well adjusted, happy family.

31 out of 41 people found the following comment useful :-
Charming, 30 November 2004

Author: flotsom1 from WI

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

32 out of 44 people found the following comment useful :-
This nearly terrific motion picture deserved a much more interesting resolution than to simply resemble every other film in the multiplex..., 1 December 2004
Author: the unemployed critic

In Good Company

For 25 years, Dan Foreman (Dennis Quaid) has been a leading ad sales representative for a popular sports magazine. When the company is taken over by a colder, greedier mega corporation, Dan finds himself working for 26-year-old Carter (Topher Grace, 'Traffic'), with his job on the line. Carter is recently divorced and unsure of himself, but once he gets a whiff of Dan's welcoming, functional home life (including Marg Helgenberger, 'CSI'), he becomes envious, and attempts to develop a bond with his cautious and angry new employee. Complications arise when Carter secretly starts a relationship with Dan's daughter, Alex (Scarlett Johansson, 'Lost in Translation'), which pushes Dan to his outer limits on just how much humiliation he can take.

For a good chunk of 'In Good Company,' the film surprises with its truthful depiction of the panicky horror that comes along with corporate restructuring. That time when age starts to be a factor in employment outlook, and the realization that losing your job could be the very end of your working years comes depressingly into view. That's what makes 'Company' such a riveting, straightforward movie. Writer/director Paul Weitz ('American Pie,' 'About a Boy') demonstrates a superb balance between the terrors of the real world and the warm suburban comedy 'Company' is supposed to be. The audience feels the panic as Dan's career is suddenly up for grabs, as well as the anxious need (fueled by Starbucks and ambition) to impress that consumes Carter. The film appears effortless and is often downright delightful as these two ages and business approaches are forced to blend in this new, awkward workplace arrangement. Weitz may be a clumsy craftsman when it comes to his camera (four movies into his career and his framing and shot choices are still clunky), and his reliance on a lilting acoustic guitar-driven soundtrack is enough to make you want to scream, but the foundation of honesty and comedy is there in 'Company,' promising something delightful.

To insure the stamina of his material, Weitz has cast the film very well. As unlikely a pair as two male leads can get, Topher Grace and Dennis Quaid have a blast in their uncomfortable roles, mining every character quirk they can get their hands on. I especially enjoyed Quaid's performance, which takes full advantage of the emotional and especially the physical limitations that a 51 year-old is faced with. And Grace proves just as able, with a seemingly lightweight but deeply felt performance that is quite realistic outside of its comic intentions. Their work in 'Company' is what keeps the film grounded in an easy, comfy feeling that can't be manufactured. It takes talent to make the audience feel at ease watching horrible events unfold on screen, with Quaid and Grace both contributing stellar, textured work.

However, 'In Good Company' makes some very bad decisions in its final act. Some of the blame rests on Weitz's shoulders, but it seems likely that the pandering suits at Universal Studios also played a major part in engineering the film's weak finish. For most of the picture, 'Company' delights in being a square peg trying to fit into a round hole. After all, that's life in a nutshell, and Weitz has clearly found an angle to this tale that can demonstrate vocational horror yet still find room for character and even some hefty comedy. Nevertheless, this desire to challenge himself falls by the wayside, and Weitz starts to file down the corners of his square pegs. 'Company' soon succumbs to the worst audience pleasing moments a film can feature, including a shameful comeuppance for the 'bad guy' (middling character actor Clark Gregg) of the film, and a climactic speech from Dan on the nature of losing humanity to corporate greed. Good points, but not for this movie. In pursuing a bizarre need to end the film with everybody finding his or her happy place (which is disgustingly unbelievable on top of being needless), Weitz loses control of his picture, and detonates a nuclear bomb on its integrity. This nearly terrific motion picture deserved a much more interesting resolution than to simply resemble every other film in the multiplex. ----- 7/10

17 out of 21 people found the following comment useful :-
Review, 13 January 2005
Author: garethvk from Seattle, WA

Carter Duryea (Topher Grace) is a man with goals. At 26, he is heading his mega-companies cell phone sales, and is being groomed for bigger and better things. A golden opportunity is handed to Carter when his company acquires another mega company resulting in his placement in the recently acquired Sports magazine division.

The Sports publication is seen as the jewel of the newly acquired company, and even though he has zero experience with selling magazine advertisement, Carter is sure he can meet the lofty goals he boss has set.

At what should be his greatest moment, carter is troubled as his 7-month marriage to Kimberly (Selma Blair), is falling apart largely due to his workaholic nature and his inability ever to stop thinking or talking about work even when he is on vacation.

On the other side of the spectrum from Carter is Dan Foreman (Dennis Quaid), a father of two daughters and devoted family man, who has been a salesperson at the magazine for twenty years and until the arrival of Carter, head of the department. At 51, Dan is feeling his years as the younger and ambitious Carter seems to be his polar opposite as well as a reminder that his best years may be behind him. Further complicating matters is that Dan's wife Ann (Marg Helgenberger), is pregnant with their third child at a time when they both thought children were past them.

Despite their differences, Dan and Carter work with one another, despite conflicts over issues ranging the future of the company to planned layoffs of staff personally picked years ago by Dan. One day after inviting himself to dinner at Dan's home, Carter meets Dan's college aged daughter Alex (Scarlett Johansson), who although only 21 catches the eye of Carter.

Months later a chance meeting between Alex and the recently divorced Carter gives rise to a friendship/romance between the two that causes Carter to question his life and envy the family life Dan has been able to create and maintain over the years.

Naturally Dan would not approve of the relationship between carter and Alex so they must keep this a secret as there is enough tension in the workplace due to the ever changing business dynamics.

What follows is a touching, funny, and at times bittersweet look at life, love, business, and friendship that does a remarkable job of making the characters not only real, but sympathetic as for the most part, there are no bad people in this story, only those who are confused and unsure about life.

The strength in the film is mixed well between a good script, solid direction by Paul Weitz, and solid performances by all the leads. The pacing of the film is perfect as it never seems rushed and does not drag in parts. Even when two characters are having a simple discussion over how to best approach a client, the film always holds your interest. It was refreshing to see a movie that did not take the easy way out and try to wrap everything in a pretty bow at the films end, but rather like life, left new opportunities and directions as possibilities as after all, that is what life is.

There is also a very good message to the film about what is really important in life and the need to have priorities rather than title and position as the real measure of success is happiness, security and love rather than position and material goods.

Easily the best film of 2005 and one of the better films in recent memory..

5/5 Gareth Von Kallenbach sknr.net + Syndicated Publications.

25 out of 37 people found the following comment useful :-
Reminds me of Good Will Hunting, 16 December 2004

Author: Lauren Smith (LSmith-29) from Little Rock, Arkansas

Honest. Unpredictable... not neat and tidy like many romantic comedies. Outside of one Steely Dan song, the soundtrack makes the movie feel a bit slow-- however... the one liners make up for it. Carter (Grace) has one line to Alex (Johannson) while in her dorm room that is just awesome... think As Good as it Gets awesome... will purchase this one... It had a Good Will Hunting (one of my faves) feel to it... those are rare. Great date movie as well. It is more than a renter. See this one in the theater. Simply put, a great flick. It is so often that one (me anyway) sits in a theater able to predict the next line, action, etc. It is refreshing to walk away satisfied with an ending one could not have guessed.

14 out of 18 people found the following comment useful :-
Sprightly, Well-Acted Comedy/Drama That Overcomes the Threat of Predictability, 17 January 2005

Author: Ralph Michael Stein (lawprof@pipeline.com) from New York, N.Y.

Director/scriptwriter Paul Weitz was blessed with a top cast for his comedy/drama "In Good Company." Here's a film that in some ways resembles and is a bit of a genre successor to "The Graduate," that 1960s iconoclastic gem. Even the new songs complement the story in the same way Simon and Garfunkel's lyrics melded with the story line in "The Graduate." Dennis Quaid as Dan Foreman is in his early fifties, a contented manager of a sports mag's ad department. His home life seems almost too good to be true. He loves his wife, Ann (Marg Helgenbergen) and gets on well with his two teenage daughters. The older one, Alex (Scarlett Johansson, in another deep and convincing performance), has a tennis scholarship to a New York State public university where the tuition isn't exactly sky high. But she wants to transfer to New York University in Greenwich Village to study creative writing where the cost is very, very steep.

Almost before you can get into your tub of popcorn Dan is struck with multiple whammies. His magazine is taken over by a mega-corporate raider, Teddy K, and a new ad department honcho, Carter Duryea (Topher Grace), only twenty-six years young, bounces Dan from his executive office while also anointing him as his designated "wingman." Earnest, inexperienced, foppish, supercilious and dangerous in that special way the inept invariably are, he poses a real threat to Dan's future. And Dan is worried about his future because Ann announces she's having a change-of-life baby.

And then Scarlett meets Carter. You need me to tell you what Dan's next mid-life crisis will be? "In Good Company" could have been just a mildly amusing sitcom. The fast-paced acting and the excellence of the cast - especially Quaid and young (she's still a teen) Johansson - kept me glued to the screen for the whole showing. And I admit to being troubled by the issues underlying and scenes showing peremptory firings. There's some ambiguity here - is that the only way for a prosperous corporation to go? Dan's pain at losing long-time co-workers is deeply etched on his face but is he more sentimental and loyal than realistic? I don't know. From the vantage point of a tenured academic with lifetime employment I found myself dragged into questions that I think Weitz meant to raise. Well, he did anyway.

Small roles are well performed by David Paymer as one of Dan's subordinates and Selma Blair who briefly shows up in the beginning as Carter's new wife, Kimberly. I always enjoy seeing this fine actress but her talent is wasted in brief roles.

And Manhattan restaurants where I eat and stores where I shop are all over the well-shot scenes and that always makes me happy.

A very good film.

9/10

12 out of 18 people found the following comment useful :-
Leftovers never tasted any better., 15 January 2005

Author: Eliason_Collateral10 from Ottawa, Canada

With 2004 behind us, theatres will fill up space with leftover '04 films until the new 2005's push them out of the way. But with In Good Company, it is solely counted as a 2004 only because NY and LA got to see it two days before the New Year. Now what the hell were they smoking when they thought of that? With the quality delivered in In Good Company, it's a shame it can't be considered as an '05 because it would have started the year off pretty damn greatly. In Good Company is one of the most pleasant surprises of 2004.

From the director of American Pie, Down to Earth, and About A Boy (sounds like a pretty bad track record so far), comes In Good Company. Written and directed by Paul Weitz, In Good Company is a realistic story set in today's business, corporate world. It's a mature, feel good film filled with comedy, drama, and much business shown in corporate offices, companies, etc. This film is mature as in the humor. It's not adult, it's jokes people over 30 or 40 would enjoy the most because the film's angle is aimed at older audiences so it would appeal to them. It's for appeal so older couples or any mature person could enjoy. For example, I went to see it tonight (January 15, 2005); it was sold out and there were 5 people tops under 20. All of the others went for Elektra...

The film is grazed with an amazing cast. The casting is perfect with Dennis Quaid, Topher Grace, Scarlett Johansson, Marg Helgenberger (CSI) and more. What makes the film amazing is the "odd couple effect" established with Quaid and Topher Grace. Dennis Quaid has had a sensational 2004 with The Alamo, The Day After Tomorrow, Flight of the Phoenix, and now Company. Meanwhile, That 70's Show star Topher Grace is well known to his fans yet wasn't known to the rest of the world before Company. With his breakthrough performance in Company, Topher Grace now has his name known yet a lot of his fans can't stop thinking it's Eric Foreman on screen.

Dan Foreman (Quaid) has been in the ads and sales business for "Sports America" (Sports Illustrated I guess...), a popular sports magazine, for 25 years. When the company's owner takes an irresponsible spending spree (or whatever the movie calls it), a new, greedier, corporation buys out the company and Dan worries about him and his employees' future. As the film starts out slow, his world is described. Next thing Dan knows, he's working for a 26-year-old businessman named Carter Duryea (Topher Grace) as he loses his job as boss. When Carter starts to sink down with his new attention, he divorces his wife (Selma Blair), and buys a brand spanking new Porsche, which gets strongly dented as he pulls out of the dealership's driveway. Dan starts to sink as well as he got demoted and his fiery, redheaded wife (Helgenberger) gets a very late pregnancy. As they interchange with each other at work, they start to get to know more about each other as Carter is lonely and wants a family like Dan's. (Think of Frank Grimes and his envy for Homer). Then Carter secretly starts a relationship with Dan's oldest daughter, Alex (Scarlett Johansson) and when they are revealed, Dan reaches his breaking point.

(What a coincidence as I write this review, Topher Grace is starring in this weekend's Saturday Night Live)

Dennis Quaid surprisingly does an amazing job as Dan. I knew he'd be good but I didn't think he'd play this character so damn well. Topher Grace is another story. With this breakthrough performance, I'm sure many will believe that Topher as potential in major films in the near future. Marg Helgenberger brings a delightful, fiery zing needed for the film and Scarlett Johansson is not only eye candy but does a great performance, and I mean great. Smaller other roles from actors like David Paymer (one of Dan's oldest friends and employees), Clark Gregg (the "bad guy" if you will), and Philip Baker Hall (the owner of a sister company of Sports America) bring hearty, older comedy to the film.

Paul Weitz now has 4 films under his cap. In Good Company is the one that definitely stands out. His direction seems perfect throughout and his screenplay is one of the most original of 2004, in my opinion. Kudos to him as his hard work is shown in IGC. There's one funny editing mistake in the film too. During an intimate scene between Carter and Alex, a microphone dangles down to break the sexual atmosphere as my whole theatre burst into major laughter. As some explained on the message board though, it was probably a projecting error in my theatre.

Overall, In Good Company is the comedy/drama version of The Bourne Supremacy this year. It's a film for older audiences or people mature enough, as it is not kid-licious material that can be appreciated by all. It depicts the corporate world filled with greedy bastards, hardships, and synergies. The performances are top-notch as Dennis Quaid is at his best and Topher Grace finally breaks through. Weitz' calm, funny direction makes the film easy to get into and has a very comfortable atmosphere and the screenplay is superb.

However, the ending is pro-longed as it has originality, yet it isn't original enough. The movie is predictable but enjoyable that way. I strongly recommend IGC to many adults and people under 18 mature enough to absorb the story. In Good Company is a very enjoyable film and is a great way to put most of 2004 behind us. As we all know, it's Mr. Oscar's job to conclude a year.

My Rating: 8.5/10 (A Low 8.5)

Eliason A.

10 out of 15 people found the following comment useful :-
A delightful way to spend an afternoon., 10 December 2004
Author: johnwstiles (jstiles@johnwstiles.com) from United States

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

Selma Blair and Marg Helgenberger spend too little time on screen. Dennis Quaid and Topher Grace make a good comedic couple but Scarlett Johansson steals the show. What her face does when she sends Carter (Topher) packing is an extraordinary display of acting prowess. With barely ten words she communicates a universe of conflicted passion. It is alone worth the price of admission. Even without, this is a funny, smart and balanced comedy of the sort we see far too few. Without giving away too much, and the value is not in any surprises, it doesn't fall into the predictable and easy trap of the million before it. A delightful way to spend an afternoon.

4 out of 4 people found the following comment useful :-
Great Office Depiction, 23 January 2005

Author: Greg (gregmoroberts@yahoo.com) from Oakville, Ontario

Sometimes it takes a real good movie about a particular topic to notice that there are no real good movies about a particular topic. The corporate office is one of those topics.

Millions of us commute varied distances five days a week to plop ourselves in an office or cubicle and work in front of a high powered computer to collaboratively work towards a corporation's yearly objectives.

Yet for all the hundreds of millions of us that go through this process on a daily basis, there have been so few movies that have captured the stresses, the backstabbing and the emotional baggage between both employee and employer.

Hollywood has tried to make light of the office atmosphere with such tripe fare as 9 to 5 and Two Weeks Notice, but the offices that were generally portrayed were filled with high-end furniture, fantastic looking staff in incredibly expensive clothing and bosses that were either reviled or secretly sexually doted on.

The lack of a realistic depiction of this environment was in the forefront of my mind when I lined up at the ticket counter for In Good Company. Written and directed by Chris Weitz (American Pie) and starring Dennis Quaid (Flight of the Phoenix) and Topher Grace (Win A Date With Ted Hamilton), I didn't expect much in terms of an office environment that I could relate to.

To my surprise, I was wrong.

In Good Company starts with the takeover of a sports magazine by a large asset-sucking conglomerate. As with any takeover, tensions and rumors run high amongst the staff of the magazine where the advertising sales have been headed by Dan Foreman (Quaid) who himself has devoted 23 years to the organization. But with one swoop of the pen, the magazine is purchased and Foreman loses both his position and corner office to Carter Duryea (Grace), a 26-year old suit that has aspirations of kicking corporate ass without taking names.

Dan's initial shock over the situation is only overshadowed by his complete astonishment of working for someone half his age with no previous advertising sales experience. He has a family to support – kids to put through college and leaving his post at age 51 for moral issues is not part of the future equation.

On the flip side of the coin, there is Carter, the young fish out of water that openly admits to a stranger on an elevator that he has no idea what he is doing. But it's a chance of a lifetime. An opportunity to give himself the life he always wanted - fortune, fame (in the form of senior recognition) and acceptance. With unsure eyes, he gains confidence in a development strategy. A career is born.

But things go downhill for Carter much faster than his new wingman Dan. His dream Porsche gets smashed before pulling out of the dealer's lot and his wife leaves him on the same day. Carter decides therefore to live out of the office until a rhetorical and sarcastic invitation is offered by Dan to have dinner with his family.

It is during Carters' introduction to the family that the chemistry between Dan's young daughter Alex (Scarlett Johansson) and his new boss sparkles into a brushfire. When the two accidentally meet in the city weeks later, the relationship goes from a youthful infatuation to a full-blown romance.

And this is where writer/director Weitz really impressed me. Both stories, that of the uncertainty within the office and the relationship between Carter and Alex unbeknownst to Dan are so strong and interesting that you can't put a label on which of the two is actually the sub-plot. Weitz is able to both stories and intertwine their relationships without having one feel like it is simply a crutch for the other. This may sound easy, but think of all the sub-plots in movies you've seen this year and how secondary story lines are there simply to either give an actor a bigger role or to stretch out the running time without adding value to the end product.

In Good Company has many good points. The acting by the leads is top rate and the Grace and Johansson paring could end up being the Hanks/Ryan of the new millennium. These two above average youngsters took roles that may even have read cliché on the script pages and made interesting, vulnerable characters that seemed to grow years during the films 109 minute running time.

But what I noticed most was the bit characters in the film and how well Weitz kept them real and founded in real emotion without going over the top for purposes of an extra laugh or dramatic moment. The office is filled with characters of different colors and sizes and they react to the downsizing with expected anxiety. They wonder what they will tell their wives. They wonder how they will support their families. And they leave in a fit of rage, feeling betrayed and under delusional impressions that the company will soon learn they have made a mistake.

In Good Company is one of the best office setting films since In The Company of Men. Big recommendation.

www.gregsrants.com

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