A friend of mine described "In Good Company" as a 'Sunday film'. I hadn't used the term in a while and I was trying to figure out if the movie applied to it. A 'Sunday film' is a slice of everyday life, with warm and palpable characters and an ordinary story; "Garden State" comes to mind. Just as romantic comedies or teen comedies, 'Sunday films' can be good or bad in their genre, good or bad as a whole film, or just regular.
"In Good Company" is good; not because of its production achievements, powerful story or dramatic power, but because it leaves a good feeling in you when it ends: it is joyful. Of course this wouldn't be possible with all the elements that represent it, and again, I'm not talking about great characteristics in a movie; remember it's a 'Sunday film'.
Dennis Quaid is far away from his "Dragonheart" days. He has traded them for roles that show his qualities as a character actor. In the past few years, he's done from blockbusters ("The Day After Tomorrow"), intense dramas ("Far from heaven") and family movies ("The Rookie"), to 'Sunday films'; and believe or not, he seems to be playing the exact same character. And it's OK, because he's looking for the humanity of those roles.
Here, his Dan Foreman nearly looses everything and is not at all comfortable with his situation, but does his best to keep his job and his good mood, because he has a family. On the other hand we find Carter Duryea, played by Topher Grace as a rising star in the market; a hot shot who thinks he knows everything, but actually has everything to learn.
If I had watched "That 70's show", that I hadn't, I could easily tell if Topher Grace is up to the big screen challenge. However, I'll take a risk and affirm that statement, because the screen seems to have something for him; something good. He comes off as the most natural actor of the cast, and leaves a big impression so you can't think of watching him on T.V again.
The other main character left is Dennis Quaid's daughter Alex, played consistently by Scarlett Johansson; because if there's one word that describes Johansson is consistence. She doesn't break, she doesn't give up and she chooses challenging roles. For being in her 20's, she has an enviable career with almost thirty completed features.
Other always memorable supporting actors are also in the movie, like David Paymer, who plays one of Quaid's colleagues; or Selma Blair, who plays Grace's wife when the movie begins. It was written and directed by Paul Weitz, a man who, like his brother, has remarkable writing and directing credits. Weitz wrote the brilliant piece of animation "Antz", directed the ultimate teen comedy "American Pie" and created a movie that comes close to this one, called "About a Boy".
The screenplay here is not outstanding, but with little effort, it makes sound the characters as realer as possible. The fact that the marketing business is approached flawlessly also helps, and we believe what workers say in their offices. The direction obtains two speech scenes that highlight, and one silent moment before the end which is admirable.
It is admirable how Weitz escapes the expected, and brings fresh material in to the table. The obvious becomes unnoticeable, the clichés become inexistent, and I actually feel happy for a moment You will too.
"In Good Company" is good; not because of its production achievements, powerful story or dramatic power, but because it leaves a good feeling in you when it ends: it is joyful. Of course this wouldn't be possible with all the elements that represent it, and again, I'm not talking about great characteristics in a movie; remember it's a 'Sunday film'.
Dennis Quaid is far away from his "Dragonheart" days. He has traded them for roles that show his qualities as a character actor. In the past few years, he's done from blockbusters ("The Day After Tomorrow"), intense dramas ("Far from heaven") and family movies ("The Rookie"), to 'Sunday films'; and believe or not, he seems to be playing the exact same character. And it's OK, because he's looking for the humanity of those roles.
Here, his Dan Foreman nearly looses everything and is not at all comfortable with his situation, but does his best to keep his job and his good mood, because he has a family. On the other hand we find Carter Duryea, played by Topher Grace as a rising star in the market; a hot shot who thinks he knows everything, but actually has everything to learn.
If I had watched "That 70's show", that I hadn't, I could easily tell if Topher Grace is up to the big screen challenge. However, I'll take a risk and affirm that statement, because the screen seems to have something for him; something good. He comes off as the most natural actor of the cast, and leaves a big impression so you can't think of watching him on T.V again.
The other main character left is Dennis Quaid's daughter Alex, played consistently by Scarlett Johansson; because if there's one word that describes Johansson is consistence. She doesn't break, she doesn't give up and she chooses challenging roles. For being in her 20's, she has an enviable career with almost thirty completed features.
Other always memorable supporting actors are also in the movie, like David Paymer, who plays one of Quaid's colleagues; or Selma Blair, who plays Grace's wife when the movie begins. It was written and directed by Paul Weitz, a man who, like his brother, has remarkable writing and directing credits. Weitz wrote the brilliant piece of animation "Antz", directed the ultimate teen comedy "American Pie" and created a movie that comes close to this one, called "About a Boy".
The screenplay here is not outstanding, but with little effort, it makes sound the characters as realer as possible. The fact that the marketing business is approached flawlessly also helps, and we believe what workers say in their offices. The direction obtains two speech scenes that highlight, and one silent moment before the end which is admirable.
It is admirable how Weitz escapes the expected, and brings fresh material in to the table. The obvious becomes unnoticeable, the clichés become inexistent, and I actually feel happy for a moment You will too.