In Good Company

Let's be honest, corporate America sucks. Just the idea of climbing the "corporate ladder" is enough to make this fledgling entrepreneur wanna toss his cookies. In Good Company shows us the many twisted sides and moral duplicity inherent in the ascension along that ladder.

Dennis Quaid plays Dan Foreman, a highly qualified, twenty year ad sales veteran at Sports America Magazine. With the surprise of a new baby on the way and his eldest daughters' decision to transfer to NYU for creative writing, the need for money and long-term security is greater than it has ever been. Cue the sinister corporate take over of his company and his demotion; which places a naïve, inexperienced 26-year-old in his former position and in love with his daughter. With this, you immediately have the setting for ethical dilemmas, corporate back stabbing, shifts in familial relationships and of course the ultimate fisticuffs between father and potential wooer of his daughter"¦ and that is exactly what the movie delivers.

The film is peppered with some really funny moments, but the core of the film is without a doubt the poignant tale of what happens to people when they become simultaneously successful and expendable. Remember that "corporate ladder" I mentioned earlier? Well, the only way to make it up the ladder is by climbing over the people above you or hoping that they fall off. Topher Grace plays an odious corporate hot shot whose only real crime is playing the corporate game well. He's stepping into a job that he is not at all qualified for but in all honesty, who can really fault him for embracing an opportunity that presented itself?

The movie truly divides the audience into the Quaid-camp and the Topher-camp based on their own current work status. Even if you are someone who is outside the corporate system as I am, you will find yourself judging every character and situation and asking yourself what would you do in that circumstance? Or you may see yourself in some of the less than flattering roles depicted on screen and you may not be too pleased by what you see. (Note to corporate assholes: you should probably skip this one!)

Topher's usual 70's Show style shtick serves the character and the story well, but ends up being repetitive and somewhat annoying by the films end. I think he's an actor with potential, but he needs to step outside of his comfort zone more if he has any hope of growing as a performer.

Dennis Quaid on the other hand is outstanding as the 50-year-old guy who's still got fight left in 'em yet! It's great to see him stepping back into the limelight with this film and also his recent action flicks, The Day After Tomorrow and Flight of the Phoenix. As good as he is in those big budget, special effects

films, it's really wonderful to see him play a character that is really close to him as a person. He's been quoted as saying how great it was for him to play a character that was actually the same age as he is! And I agree. There's a genuine feel that comes through his performance that adds an emotional weight to the film that I don't think many other actors would have engendered.

Scarlett Johansson is undeniably beautiful as his supposed sexually inexperienced NYU bound daughter, but that's really about all she is. She turns in an adequate performance but it's honestly nothing special. What was pretty special, and everyone out there will think I've lost my mind, but the five-line role of the waiter played by Jon Collin was the perfect first break for a young actor. For some reason that part jumped out at me. Collin took what could have easily been a throw away part and made it something the audience noticed and reacted to. Not to mention the fact that he managed to not be devoured on screen next to the likes of Quaid, Johansson and Grace. Kudos young man, I see a bright future ahead for you.

Overall, this is a fun family film with a serious message that just about anyone can relate to. You will not feel cheated after throwing down ten bucks to see it. (Let's just hope you don't get downsized the next day!)

Movie Grade: B+