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In Good Company
1/14/05 - PG-13 - 109m
Topher Grace - Carter Duryea
Dennis Quaid - Dan Foreman
Scarlett Johanson - Alex Foreman
Director: Paul Weitz
Written by: Paul Weitz
Studio: Universal
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JEF
I’m glad we got to see this movie in the theater. It was a typical sort of “feel-good” movie but at the same time makes you question some of corporate America’s ideals.
Storyline: Dan (Dennis Quaid) is a 50 something advertising executive of a sports magazine. Dan wakes one morning to hear on the news that his magazine publisher has just been bought out by a huge media conglomerate. Globecom is run by “Teddy K” and has his group of 20 something executives come in and take over the magazine. Dan is demoted to the “wingman” of Carter (Topher Grace) who is 26 years of age. As if this isn’t enough, Carter becomes attracted to Dan’s 18-year-old daughter Alex (Scarlett Johansson).
This movie was written and directed by Paul Weitz who also wrote and directed “About a Boy” With Hugh Grant. About a Boy was also a good movie. So Paul has a pretty good track record, along with American Pie, and the Nutty Professor 2, and Antz.
I would have to say that the main focus of the movie was around Dan and Carter’s working relationship. It was mixed with both tension, and a sort of father son relationship as well. Even though Carter was this young hotshot executive, he still had much to learn about life.
The secondary story was the relationship between Carter and Alex, which was also filled with tension. The young couple was trying to keep their relationship hidden from Alex’s father.
The acting (along with the well written story) is what made this movie a green light for me. It was full of good performances all around. Topher was a little bit typecast in the stumbling awkwardness that we’ve seen him do on his TV show “That 70’s Show”. Dennis Quaid did a really good job as well, playing the father trying to keep his job and struggling with his daughter who is growing up and moving on with college. Scarlett was really good too, playing the young college girl who was growing up and learning about life. Scarlett is going to be a major star (not that she isn’t right now), but she’s only 21 right now, and she will have a long career ahead of her as a talented actress. She was just nominated for a Golden Globe for her role in “A Love Song for Bobby Long” (which has not opened in a theatre yet near us).
So if you get a chance, I’d recommend this movie, for it’s lighthearted feel good style movie.
Jef
