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In the Company of Men (1997)
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Reviews Counted:52
Fresh:46
Rotten:6
Average Rating:7.8/10
Runtime: 1 hr 38 mins
Genre: Comedies
Synopsis: In writer-director Neil LaBute's debut feature film, a pair of thirtysomething white-collar businessmen, embittered by their shallow lives and bad experiences with women, target and romance a... In writer-director Neil LaBute's debut feature film, a pair of thirtysomething white-collar businessmen, embittered by their shallow lives and bad experiences with women, target and romance a beautiful deaf secretary (Stacy Edwards) solely for the purpose of dumping her and thus gaining revenge on her sex. While one of the junior execs, Chad (Aaron Eckhart), is relentlessly cold-blooded and cruel, his partner, Howard (Matt Malloy), proves to be a spineless tagalong. When their manipulative game ends, one of them is in for a shocking surprise. Touted as "the most controversial film of the year" upon its release in 1997, this articulate black comedy sparked a roiling storm of praise and loathing from critics and audiences alike. Eckhart, a college friend of LaBute's, became the primary lightning rod for these passionate, widely varying responses, winning an Independent Spirit Award for his performance while also fending off occasional verbal abuse from angry women mistaking him for the reptilian character he plays. The film unapologetically depicts appalling behavior but never condones Chad and Howard's actions, making it one of the most intriguing and memorable movies of the late 1990s. [More]
Starring: Aaron Eckhart, Matt Malloy, Stacy Edwards
Starring: Aaron Eckhart, Matt Malloy, Stacy Edwards
Director: Neil LaBute
Director: Neil LaBute
Screenwriter: Neil LaBute
Producer: Mark Archer, Stephen Pevner
Composer: Ken Williams, Karel Roessingh
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Reviews for In the Company of Men
This is a powerfully disturbing film about sexism, cruelty and the price you pay for making a pact with the devil.
... a hard movie to watch and — though it has its virtues — even harder to defend.
There is absolutely nothing extraneous in LaBute's movie -- one of those lovely confluences of artistic vision and budgetary restrictions.
It's an impressive film, and all the more so for being a debut feature. If this LaBute guy can keep his edge on a bigger budget, he's one to watch.
The strength of LaBute's conception every step of the way is in forcing the issue of where we belong in this picture -- with Chad, with Howard, or with Christine.
The kind of bold, uncompromising film that insists on being thought about afterward -- talked about, argued about, hated if necessary, but not ignored.
It's a creepy piece of work that gets under your skin, ruffles your sensibilities and just won't leave you alone.
Has been both exalted as a brilliant satire and scorned as a shallow burp of white male indigestion posing as satire. It's probably a little of both.
A no-holds-barred performance by Eckhart. You really want to kill this guy by the time the closing credits roll.
A highlight of the 97 Sundance Film Fest, LaBute's astonishing debut is a dark, probing, vastly entertaining satire about misogyny and sexual politics in the work as well as personal arena; LaBute is a major dialoguist to watch
A disturbing, well observed screen debut from director LaBute, while the three central performances are spot on.
A powerful moviegoing experience. Take my advice, and watch it with someone you love.
The acting is superlative, and the imaginative script has minimalist cadence à la David Mamet. The result is at once devastating and compelling.
Latest News for In the Company of Men
August 31, 2006:
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This week at the movies, we've got hoopsters with big dreams ("Crossover," starring Anthony Mackie), scary goings-on on remote islands ("The Wicker Man,"... More...
August 30, 2006:
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June 06, 2006:
Trailer Bulletin: The Wicker Man
Frankly I wouldn't have the guts to remake a cult classic as adored as Robin Hardy's "The Wicker Man," but obviously I am not Neil LaBute and/or Nicolas Cage. The... More...
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