Rating: 
Summary: Not so much acting A LOT of dancing.
Review: Unlike so many movies that focus on the storyline, the dancing is the storyline here. We actually get to see performances in full from beginnings to breathtaking beautiful endings. Very satisfying to not have any dialogue, just being able to take in the performance. No breaking away from the performance to another character's story. Excellent. Sometimes I actually felt I was watching a ballet live. This movie is for the dancer and anyone who loves ballet.
Rating: 
Summary: Robert Altman Makes Charming "Company"
Review: When I first found myself getting seriously involved in movies for some reason or another I took Robert Altman for granted. I knew him strictly as the film-maker of "M*A*S*H" and didn't care to see anything he made. Then about 2 or 3 years ago I started watching his movies. I have always heard people say wonderful things about him and I thought it was about time I check out his films. He immediately became one of my favorite American directors. And his work since the 90's, sort of his "comback" years have greatly impressed me. "Shorts Cuts" I think is his masterpiece, he then followed that films with "Kansas City", "The Gingerbread Man", "Cookie's Fortune" and his previous film "Gosford Park", which made us all think of Jean Renoir's "Rules of the Game". All of this makes it seem somewhat odd then that he would follow the critical successful "Gosford Park", which he was nominated for an Oscar, with a movie about ballet, but, I guess that just goes to show you what kind of versital talent Altman really is. As I walked into "The Company" I thought I would enjoy it because Altman was directing, but I didn't know I'd come out enjoying it as much as I do. With this film Altman fully displays his talents for detail, every one of his movies has a spontaneous feel to it. Sometimes we think we are seeing things we shouldn't be. As if it's the rehearsal, his movies have a very breezy attitude. "The Company" and I know how shocking it may seem, is actually one of his best films. There are moments when watching this movie I had to remind myself it's a movie and not a documentary. Altman's style of filmmaking is perfect for this movie. He captures moments that seem so real. We honestly forget we are watching actors. A lot of people it seems have been staying away from this movie. It has been doing very poorly at the box-office, sadly a good number of Altman's films were not commercially successful. But I'm afraid those who do go see it may not like it because they will say it has no story. It's just about dancing. Well, first of all lets remember the name of the movie, "The Company", secondly no one has been hiding the fact this movie is about ballet, so yes, a great deal of the movie is featuring dance scenes. There is a very light plot. And if I were to judge the movie on plot than I guess it would be disappointing, but you can't watch this movie and expect a heavy plot. In fact the plot is so fragile I wouldn't know how to describe it. We have a young woman named Ry (Neve Campbell, who also produced the movie and help with its story) who is a young talented dancer awaiting the day she can be the star of her own company. She starts a relationship with Josh (James Franco) after a bad breakup with her ex, who just happens to be a dancer who works for the same company. Then there is Mr. A (Malcolm McDowell) who is head of the company. He is having fincial trouble putting on a new show called the "Blue Snake". And there isn't much more to tell. Altman was robbed of an Oscar a few years back with "Gosford Park", but, someone could argue, at least they nominated him. Well, sadly Altman's great work here will go unnoticed, and it's not fair. "The Company" is one of the better films released in 2003. There is one scene I want to point out to people. There is scene were Ry and her partner or dancing, but a storm breaks out. In this moment are minds are already going to work because we think the rain will go on the stage and she'll slip and injure herself. Altman is creating such tension that movies like "Phone Booth" and "Jeepers Creepers 2" didn't make me feel. Now, I'm not going to tell you if she does injure herself or not, you'll just hae to go see the movie. Bottom-line: One of Robert Altman's best films. His directing style makes a perfect blend for the film's tone. Has a spontaneous feel to it that makes us forget it's only a movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Not 'The Player' - but not 'Dr. T & The Women' either
Review: You go into 'The Company' knowing that it's a Robert Altman film - so you expect all things Altman: more slice-o-life than contrived plot; lots of simultaneous events (and speaking) going on; inventive camera work. Altman excels at getting into the inner workings of things. In 'The Company,' if you like ballet - or even if you wonder in general how large creative performances fall into place - this movie will be of great interest to you. Not to say it's a great movie. Malcolm McDowell is the only one here really given a chance to act, and he's excellent. His dominant personality makes him the beacon of the film. All action seems drawn to him. By contrast, Neve Campbell had her hands full with producing and dancing (she's a very good dancer). Although she is the nominal 'star' of the film, she doesn't have more than a handful of understated lines throughout. Just to give you an idea what this film is like: James Franco - tipped by some as this generation's James Dean - is cast as Neve's one-night-stand-turned-boyfriend. The guy's a serious dramatic actor and beyond making eggs and preparing some other dishes (he is cast as a chef), I can't recall him uttering a single full line of dialogue. All in all though, this is a good movie - not up there with Altman classics like 'The Player' (geting even better with time), but certainly several levels up from Altman stinkeroos like the Richard Gere/Farrah Fawcett fiasco 'Dr. T and The Women.'
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