In the Company of Men

Rating:
Summary: a great movie for the jaded
Review: A fairly unusual indie offering with mean characters. Not Hannibal type evil mean with bizarre psychological underpinnings or deep-seated childhood traumas. Just plain-jane obnoxious jerks indulging in unabashed stupidity, perversion, racism, etc. The movie may as well have been called "In the Company of Jerks". On the scale of off-beat, this is a way off, with its shoestring budget perhaps the only justification. The dialogue may irk some folks, there is a lot of it. But if you like conversations and are looking for something different to take out for a spin, this should fit the bill. Lots of long takes, fixed camera, and the music (or lack of it) is perfect to create the overall gruff feel. Worthy rental.

Rating:
Summary: Powerful Film From Neil LaBute
Review: A film that reads like an essay on how to get ahead by laying waste to everyone and everything in one's path, while giving no quarter and taking no prisoners, "In The Company Of Men," written and directed by Neil LaBute, is a starkly brutal movie that examines the darkest side of the human condition and the depths of evil to which an individual is capable of descending without knowing remorse. Chad (Aaron Eckhart) and Howard (Matt Malloy) are business associates, ten years out of university (they attended the same school), and are about to embark on a six week special assignment in another city for their company. As they wait to board their plane, Howard reveals to Chad that his girlfriend has just dumped him; aboard the plane, Chad shares with Howard that his girlfriend has just dumped him as well, in a quite insensitive manner, at that. No warning, no note, just one day- gone- end of story. Chad muses to Howard that things seem to be getting out of hand; women have the upper hand in relationships, and even worse, seemingly in the workplace, too (not to mention the competition from the younger guys coming up and already snapping at their heels, career wise). "You can't even tell a joke in the workplace anymore," he tells him. And it's time to do something about it. Toward that end, Chad hatches a scheme through which they can get back on top and "regain their dignity." And for the rest of their lives, no matter how bad their relationships go or what "they" do to them at work, they'll always have this one thing, something that's worse than anything anyone will ever have done to them. At first Howard isn't sure, because it's so "out there," but Chad sells him on the idea, and they go to work. Their plan is to do it over the next six weeks, then it's over and they're on their way home. Back on top. Forever. So begins what can only be called a study in abject cruelty and humiliation and, moreover, of a sick mind that in many ways is more telling than anything gleaned from movies such as "The Silence Of The Lambs," or "The Cell." What's so unsettling is the fact that Chad is so "normal;" the young, clean-cut, charismatic all-American role model type, and to discover that such a person is capable of such unconscionable behavior is enough to awaken the paranoia in even the most jaded observer. The mere concept of Chad's scheme is so despicable even to contemplate, that to see it actually played out becomes almost unbearable at times to keep watching. But you can't help yourself; LaBute's deft handling of his own material makes it so engrossing that you simply can't look away. He takes you right down the path to where he wants you, and knows exactly which buttons to push along the way to keep you there. Even against your own will. Aaron Eckhart gives a remarkable, almost chilling, performance as Chad; to be able to create such a loathsome character, someone who can evoke such utter contempt, bespeaks his ability as an actor. This is a guy you will not soon forget, and may make you think twice about more than a few casual acquaintances and co-workers, while wondering if things or people are ever actually as they seem. That Chad is someone with whom you can so readily identify (at least on the surface), makes this brush with him all the more disquieting. To have to acknowledge his perverse power over others is even more so. As ultimately one of the pawns in Chad's game, Matt Malloy gives a good performance as Howard, but it's a character for whom it is hard to muster much sympathy. The most notable performance in the film, however, is turned in by Stacy Edwards (Christine). It's a tough part, and she plays it to perfection with just the right touches of strength and vulnerability that gain her the empathy of the audience while making her an entirely sympathetic and memorable character. A hard-hitting drama punctuated with a driving score (that is especially effective during the transitions of the passing weeks), "In The Company Of Men" will get your adrenaline pumping and make your blood boil at the same time. It's a sad commentary on society, but a wake-up call with a moral just the same. It's a case of acquainting oneself with ugliness, that one may then recognize and appreciate true beauty. Be forewarned, this is a movie that will get under your skin; but at the same time, it's going to make you know you're alive. You may not like it, but you're definitely going to feel it.

Rating:
Summary: Good video, but it's hard to watch the cruelty
Review: Cruelty takes many forms. This film is about the emotional kind. Two young corporate men, on a six-week company assignment in a small city, plot to seduce and then dump an vulnerable deaf young woman. The idea is to hurt someone and some of this is hard to watch, especially when the more vicscious of the two makes sick jokes about her handicap. The actors are unknowns but they do an outstanding job, and the screenplay is well written, although a bit long. Some interesting concepts are raised, particularly about the one-upmanship and power plays that hurt and destroy. At the end of the movie, one of the men deeply regrets what he has done and realizes he has also be duped by his supposed friend. "Why?" he asks. "Because I could," is the answer.

Rating:
Summary: Eckhart makes this a masterpiece
Review: dark comedy about Eckhart and his buddies prank calling a deaf woman..they offer her a date and then they would dump her, because he hates upper class women but then Eckhart takes it deeper with his brilliant and outrageous performance..he makes this one hit the bullseye with a fire..Neil LaBoute who directed also has another good movie out there called Your friends and Neighbors..not better then this one but still its a good movie.

Rating:
Summary: Bashed Men Behaving Badly
Review: Heading through an airport on their way to a six-week work assignment, two junior executives in an unspecified business discover that they have both been dumped by their girlfriends. After commiserating about the heartlessness of women, the studlier of the pair (Eckhart) suggests, "Let's hurt somebody."

His proposal: While in the unnamed town, where they're headed for business, they find some vulnerable young woman and both begin to court her. They will sweep her off her feet and then, just before leaving town, each will dump her. "It'll be a little payback on all this messy relationship stuff we're dealing with," Eckhart explains. His colleague (Malloy), though a step above Eckhart on the corporate ladder and therefore supposedly wiser, readily agrees to this sordid scenario.

Their plan becomes even more repugnant when they zero in on a potential target: a lovely deaf secretary (Edwards). And so goes this most chilling film. In the Company of Men, an impressive debut movie by writer-director Neil LaBute, is a provocative look at male gamesmanship that raises as many questions about its characters as it answers.

After seeing Men (which deservedly was named best dramatic film by La Bute's fellow filmmakers at Sundance Film Festival), either you will stay up half the night discussing it, or you will find the story so profoundly disturbing that you will feel too wrung out to talk about it at all.

Men features strong performances by its trio of relative newcomers, particularly Eckhart, whose potent leading-man charm proves all the more disturbing when it becomes clear what a manipulatively malevolent knave he is and just who his real target is. And Edwards (TV's Santa Barbara), who is not deaf in real life, is both radiant and heartbreaking as a woman who blossoms under the sudden attention of two seemingly ardent swains.

Rating:
Summary: Meat and gristle and hatred
Review: I usually do not review movies on Amazon unless it is a movie that is profound and left me pondering. This is one such movie. For those of you guys who are interested in watching/buying it, may I suggest that you do not watch it on a romantic "movie night out." This show will evaporate any romantic mood you may have. Trust me on this one. It can turn your girlfriend into a misandrist. For the ladies, if you want to watch it, please prepare yourself and keep an open mind...

As most reviewers already said, this is one heck of a disturbing movie. The premise is that 2 men (Chad and Howard) are out to "play" a woman, make her fall in love, and then rip her heart out, figuratively speaking. Since it isn't a Hollywood stylized movie, don't expect a happy and cozy ending. Some of the scenes are quite provocative yet realistic. I can see it happening in ordinary day-to-day living. You're more likely to see a scene in this movie than a scene in than cutesy "My Best Friend's Wedding." Because this is a dark comedy, most people will not be comfortable with it. It isn't something we expect to see, since it conflicts a lot with our own moral ethics.

The technicalities of the movie is quite poor, and I'm going to have to deduct 1 star for that. Video and sound quality is really awful, poorer than the average Indie movie. There are very few sound effects, hardly any musical, and the voice recordings have static. Video quality is grainy and low in saturation, it really look like playing from a VCR (even though I'm watching the DVD version).

Here's more extraneous info: my take on the moral of this story is that if you are a guy, don't be a jerk like Chad. But also, don't be a wishy-washy weakling like Howard; stand your ground, and don't get pushed around. Both characters have their strengths and weakness. But I think both end up being the losers, even though the movie victimizes Howard more since he is the "nice guy." I thought Howard would have more of a backbone, but I am disappointed that in the end, he never really stood up for himself.

Rating:
Summary: a great movie for the jaded
Review: In the Company of Men is a wonderful movie that I watch at least twice a year. I first saw this movie at a University Film Festival. I was hooked. Not only does this movie reach me on an entertaining level but at the time it called up all sorts of feelings as myself and my buddies had been in a slump with the laddies. In fact, we made up a holliday called National I Hate Chicks Day. It is still celebrated every year, on March 13, all over the country where we all have landed. One of the festivaties that March 13 brings is a viweing of In The Company of Men.

Rating:
Summary: Men behaving badly!
Review: My wife could not endure this movie! In fact she gave up on it in the first 15 minutes. But it intrigued me enormously and so, fortunately, I forged on. What a little gem. Sure, it will make you uncomfortable and it will definitely offend many, but it is an extremely well crafted movie that deserves your consideration.

Today, when most movies are pablum, this movie rises above the usual mediocre fare. It IS an adult movie appealing to adult sensibilities. Stacy Edwards, as the vulnerable and deaf Christine, gives a spot on performance that, were there ANY justice in the world would have been considered for an Oscar. Aaron Eckhart, as the ruthless, conniving, and manipulative Chad is, simply, malevolently indelible. You'll not soon forget either his character or his performance.

This is Neil LaBute's first effort at writing or directing and it will be a tough act to follow. The performances that he coaxes out of his cast are simply marvelous and his writing was fantastic.

The movie ends with an unexpected twist which both shocks and disgusts the viewer but which manages to intensify the impact of the movie. At the end, as throughout the movie, Eckhart is the personification of evil and Christine, the embodiment of good.

Both Eckhart's and Stacy Edwards' performances are riveting, but without the hapless Matt Mallory as Howard this morality play would not have been complete. Mallory's performance was perfectly modulated and delivered to perfection. Mallory's character is neither good nor totally bad, but weak. And his weakness leads to all sorts of problems.

I recommend this movie very highly, however I have still not been able to get my wife to see it.

Rating:
Summary: Horrifying
Review: Neil Labute's In The Company of Men is a misogynistic look at the way men has to conquer women in and out of the bedroom. The great Aaron Eckhart plays a womanizer who makes a bet with a fellow co-worker to seduce a young deaf woman, and dump her in order to feed their misogynistic egos. In their pursuit of this innocent woman, they wine and dine her, and ultimately humiliate her in such a way that can only be describes as inhuman, and evil. Neil Labute's psychological masterpiece is a very sobering look at the game both sexes play, and the cruelty that we can inflict on ourselves.

Prepare to be disturbed.

Rating:
Summary: Horrifying.
Review: Neil Labute�s In The Company of Men is a misogynistic look at the way men has to conquer women in and out of the bedroom. Aaron Eckhart plays a womanizer who makes a bet with a fellow co-worker to seduce a young deaf woman, and dump her in order to feed their misogynistic egos. In their pursuit of this innocent woman, they wine and dine her, and ultimately humiliate her in such a way that can only be describes as inhuman. Neil Labute�s psychological masterpiece is a very sobering look at the game both sexes play, and the cruelty that we can inflict on ourselves.

Prepare to be disturbed.