In an attempt to strike a blow for every man that has been wronged by a woman, Chad and Howard plan to seduce the same woman and then simultaneously break her heart........
Bleak in its satirical portrayals, In The Company Of Men has proved to be a highly debatable and controversial movie. Splitting critics right down the middle, it's been called everything from a misogynistic rant to an astute modern day masterpiece, the truth is that it's neither of those things. Tho the crux of the story suggests misogyny is its central axis, both men here are painted in less than favourable light, and in fact the central female of the piece {wonderfully played by Stacy Edwards} is far stronger than most female characters in modern day cinema. Cheaply made and set in some nameless corporate company, director Neil LaBute crafts what is in essence a black comedy about corporate suits who backbite with carefree abandon, the men versus women arc is merely a strand in LaBute's intriguing picture.
It's a film that most definitely is memorable, if not just for Aaron Eckhart's portrayal of Chad, one of the 90s most despicable characters, but also for its cheeky and unexpected finale. The performances are strong and those who enjoy a dialogue driven pictures will revel in what is on offer here. It also serves as an interesting reference point to LaBute as a director, this being his debut feature, it showed a great deal of promise, but has that promise been realised? Nurse Betty, Possession and the ill advised remake of The Wicker Man suggest LaBute may need to stick to the basics of his talent, I shall be an interesting observer of Lakeview Terrace & the upcoming Death At A Funeral. 7/10
Bleak in its satirical portrayals, In The Company Of Men has proved to be a highly debatable and controversial movie. Splitting critics right down the middle, it's been called everything from a misogynistic rant to an astute modern day masterpiece, the truth is that it's neither of those things. Tho the crux of the story suggests misogyny is its central axis, both men here are painted in less than favourable light, and in fact the central female of the piece {wonderfully played by Stacy Edwards} is far stronger than most female characters in modern day cinema. Cheaply made and set in some nameless corporate company, director Neil LaBute crafts what is in essence a black comedy about corporate suits who backbite with carefree abandon, the men versus women arc is merely a strand in LaBute's intriguing picture.
It's a film that most definitely is memorable, if not just for Aaron Eckhart's portrayal of Chad, one of the 90s most despicable characters, but also for its cheeky and unexpected finale. The performances are strong and those who enjoy a dialogue driven pictures will revel in what is on offer here. It also serves as an interesting reference point to LaBute as a director, this being his debut feature, it showed a great deal of promise, but has that promise been realised? Nurse Betty, Possession and the ill advised remake of The Wicker Man suggest LaBute may need to stick to the basics of his talent, I shall be an interesting observer of Lakeview Terrace & the upcoming Death At A Funeral. 7/10