In the Company of Men (1997)

Two bored businessmen, exiled to a remote company outpost on a six-week business trip, decide to enliven their visit by romancing a deaf woman and then savagely dumping her. Slimy Chad (Aaron Eckhart) convinces schlumphy Howard (Matt Molloy) to take part in the vicious scheme by framing it as an act of revenge against uppity womankind, but it quickly becomes apparent that he harbors some even more sinister motives. What might have been a simple exploration (some, no doubt, would say reiteration) of straightforward misogyny is elevated by the remarkable performance of Eckhart; at once charming and nauseating, his fascinating interpretation of pure competitive evil dominates the film. Neil LaBute's intelligent script is somewhat reminiscent of Whit Stillman's darker moments (minus the collegiate cleverness and zany warmth), and his direction, while rarely visually impressive, does connote the hellish impersonality of corporate interiors with chilling success. The director-screenwriter deserves additional plaudits for resisting both the tidal pull toward poetic justice and the temptation to draw either of his main characters as even slightly sympathetic. A study in ugliness, a rubbernecker's delight, a time bomb. --Miles Bethany Amazon.com

very dark, brooding, and disturbing comedy

An unbelievably brilliant, cold blooded, mean, cruel, comedic drama. This is the first movie I saw Aaron Eckhart in, and he plays his role brilliantly.

I don't want to give too much away, but his portrayal of the psychopathic mind is absolutely flawless. And it is one of those films where every time you watch it, you see something deeper - an angle, lighting, music, etc. And the ending is like - holy god. February 16, 2008

Disturbing

This movie was very good but very disturbing and VERY mean spirited. Aaron Eckhart shines and is the stand out in this role. I liked it but I am not sure it is for everybody cause it is just a nasty movie. January 18, 2008

Does it hurt?

Although this film has been around for 10 years, I never got a chance to see it until now. Originally, description of the movie was about two men on the business trip playing a crude, scheming seduction game on a vulnerable, deaf woman. Now that I have seen the film, it is so much more that what a short blip about the film weants you to believe. This film is about perfidity of seduction as much as it is about false friensdhips, corporate coldbloded fight for power, getting ahead of other people by any means possible and overall fakeness between people's relationships no matter how much we think we know them. Many of the scenes from the film are filmed in places most people familar with business trips will consider drab: airports, cheap restaurants, generic hotel rooms. There is also corporate office setup that adds to the bleakness of its characters and the story plot. Although the story itself is horrific from every possible perspective, I loved performance by Aaron Eckhart who plays charismatic Chad that finds his release in demeaning, hurting and toying with other people, their loves, careers and emotions. Chad is so emotionally empty that the only thrill he can feel is in creating his schemes that destroy everyone around him. On the surface likeable, Chad character is a reminder that things in life are never what they seem to be. If you like A. Eckhart is this film, I recommend you also check his talent is two other films " Thank you for smoking" and "Conversations with Other Women". He is very talented actor, very versatile and in my humble opinion underrated. Let's hope we see more of him in the future. Director Neil LaButte did a fine work with this film. This is a complex psychological drama. January 17, 2008

unrealistic

One guy is supposedly a sociopath. His pal's a loser with unrealistic reactions. Very little action. The acting is decent, but the characters are too simple to be believable. On the plus side, it gives you plenty of time and opportunities to turn it off and read a book. December 1, 2007

Outstanding.

I will not waste my or your time with an overblown descriptive review of this movie, but I would just like to reiterate that's it's a great film. If more films were this intelligent and riveting, there'd be a lot more memorable movies worth throwing your coin at, even to purchase your own copy of because this one is definitely rewatchable. If you enjoyed the style of "Glengarry Glenn Ross" check this movie out for sure, or vice versa. If these aren't the type of films that keep you on the edge of your seat, by all means, continue stock piling your Will Smith/Tom Cruise action movies. October 28, 2007

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