In Good Company

Plot Summary

Dan Foreman (Dennis Quaid) has spent over 20 years working as an advertising executive for the magazine Sports America. When the parent company is taken over he is demoted, and a new boss, much younger than himself, takes over the advertising team. The new boss, Carter (Topher Grace), is a new breed of manager who believes that results mean everything. If the targets aren't reached heads roll.

As well as having to adjust to changes in the workplace Dan also has to adjust to changes at home. His wife is expecting a baby and his eldest daughter is starting college. That's a lot of changes for a settled middle-aged man who thought his future was mapped out...

Review

Advertised primarily as a comedy, In Good Company also has a more serious side as the fate of employees in a world of takeovers and mergers is explored. In this movie the employees in the advertising division of magazine Sports America realise that their jobs aren't guaranteed and that they are dispensable. It may be ruthless but if the sales targets aren't reached then savings have to be made, and that means reducing staff. There is an interesting contrast between showing loyalty to employees as opposed to treating them as expendable.

Perhaps it is the fact that the movie is both comedy and serious that it falls between two stools, with both elements detracting from each other. As far as the 'comedy' goes it is entertaining and funny in parts but some parts are flat and less than interesting. On the other hand the office politics is interesting but isn't developed enough to make a real impact.

Dennis Quaid was a good choice for the part. He played the character convincingly, looking like a man who know what to expect from life and who had become comfortable with his role. When his life is turned on its head he struggles to change with it.

There is good support from Scarlett Johansson as Dan's eldest daughter Alex and from Topher Grace as Dan's new boss, Carter.

Bottom Line: Entertaining in a light, easy-going way but won't make a lasting impression. A bit flat and uneventful in parts. If you enjoy In Good Company you might also enjoy: Two Weeks Notice,  About A Boy or How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days,

Reviewed by Niall Quinn, Premier Movie Reviews 2005.

RELATED MOVIE REVIEWS:  PAUL WEITZ: About A Boy.  DENNIS QUAID: Cold Creek Manor,  Far From Heaven,  The Rookie,  The Day After Tomorrow.  SCARLETT JOHANSSON: Girl With A Pearl Earring. 

Genre: Comedy

Director: Paul Weitz

Certificate: In Good Company was rated 12A by the Irish Film Censor's Office (www.ifco.ie). Images/reference of/to violence, sex/nudity, and drugs are mild.

Official Movie Website: In Good Company

~ Main Cast ~

Dennis Quaid

Scarlett Johansson

Topher Grace

David Paymer

Clark Gregg

Philip Baker Hall

Mary Helgenberger

RATING

ONLY IF YOU HAVE NOTHING BETTER TO DO