(2013-05-20 04:43:57)

Oh God.

This was possibly the WORST movie I have ever seen. You wait and wait and wait for NOTHING to happen. Please dont waste your time with this movie, its not worth it.

noahmckinnon

(2013-05-19 22:13:16)

hackneyed humor. Little chemistry

Though I hadn't spoken to anyone who'd seen this, the ratings werepretty favorable. I also had enjoyed About a Boy, which Paul Weitz alsodirected. Unfortunately, this thing is a stinker.The writing is uncreative and the attempts at comedy hackneyed andforced. There is no chemistry between Topher Grace and ScarlettJohansen and in all but one scene, I did not buy that Dennis Quaid washer father.As far as Ms. Johansson goes, I'm surprised she's lasted beyond flavorof the week. Sure, she's pretty and sweet, and has a cool name, butshe's also extremely limited and bland. She plays every role the same.If she'd died after Ghost World, she'd have been a minor cult figure.Now, she's just boring.Other irritations in this movie: too many montages, too many utterancesof the word "awesome".

(2013-05-16 12:39:51)

The Rare Comedy for Adults

Lost amidst the high concept holiday films and Oscar contenders came this gem of a movie. It's a film of deep humanity and equally deep characterization. Dan Foreman (Dennis Quaid) is an old-style ad executive who seals a deal with a firm handshake and Laker tickets. Carter Duryea(Topher Grace) is an ambitious salesman who has his eye on the company's bottom line but is oblivious to the people around him. When Carter, half Dan's age, becomes his boss through a multinational takeover of Dan's magazine you would think there would be unbearable tension. The result instead is an uneasiness. A lesser film would villify Carter. Instead he is portrayed as something of a scared rabbit forced into the role of company hatchetman. Credit director-writer Paul Weitz("About a Boy") for crafting a film inhabited by complex human beings. There's not enough you can say about Quaid other than he has aged like fine wine, though Dan in all likelihood is a beer man. Quaid just has that winning charm about him that makes for a compelling screen presence. Grace masterfully portrays the complexities of Carter. Together with Quaid there is a great rapport between these two actors. The one discernible flaw in the film is a contrived romance between Carter and Dan's daughter, Alex(Scarlett Johannson). This was probably the selling point of the film since Grace and Johannson are up-and-coming actors but it only detracts from the main story line.

(2013-05-16 06:02:13)

You will love this

This is a thoroughly enjoyable movie, from start to finish. Perfect acting, direction, dialogue, shots, editing. The music was icing on the cake. In a way, it sort of reminded me of "The Graduate", back in the day, with Dustin Hoffman. Not in the story, but the feel, and lessons learned. Light hearted, but serious. A film an adult will appreciate. Highly recommended.

(2013-05-15 18:46:23)

QUAID AND GRACE PROVIDE GOOD COMPANY

What's so refreshing about IN GOOD COMPANY is is lack of predictability and cloying sentimentality. Dennis Quaid and Topher Grace are marvelous as the protagonists of the movie, and they get fine support from Marg Helgenberger and Scarlet Johannson. The relationships that develop form the heart of the movie, and it is both comic and bittersweet. Grace is a revelation as he captures the youth but competitive aggression of a new boss, and Quaid captures the frustration in having to work for someone half his age. All in all, a very entertaining and well done film.

(2013-05-15 07:42:47)

Beautifully honest look at `real' people...

I looked but I just couldn't find anything here I didn't like. When I originally saw this movie in the theater I was the only one who really just adored it and so I thought that maybe I was just overreacting, that there was bound to be something I overlooked that brings this movie down a notch. I've seen `In Good Company' about ten times not and I still have yet to find anything wrong with it. `In Good Company' is a smart comedy about reaching a crossroads in life, whether you're middle-aged or merely reaching an early peek. Dan Foreman is 51. He has a steady job, a good marriage and two beautiful daughters. Then the company Dan works for gets bought out and he finds himself not only demoted, which can strike a mans masculinity in its own, but he finds himself now taking orders from a kid half his age with no experience whatsoever. That `kid' is hotshot Carter Duryea, a 26-year-old newlywed whose life is a complete contrast to that of Dan. Carter and his wife Kimberly are already having problems because Carter doesn't seem to know how to separate work from his personal life (personally I just love Kimberly's line "don't try to sell me" because it really explains the emotional level that Carter is at). Carter has potential and he has spirit and he has drive but he lacks the maturity that Dan possesses. Ironically (or maybe not so much) Dan lacks some of Carter's qualities and thus you have the foundation for a superb father/son/daughter/boss film about emotional growth, understanding and acceptance.Carter meets and falls for Dan's eldest daughter Alex who is just moving from home to attend college and branching off to start her own life. The very idea of Alex moving out on her own scares Dan and so to spare her father any more anxiety she keeps her relationship with Carter a secret, but of course we know that that secret can't stay hidden forever.What helps elevate `In Good Company' are the beautifully fleshed out performances, especially from the two leads, Quaid and Grace. Dennis Quaid is an extremely polished actor who I feel delivers knock out performance after knock out performance. I have always enjoyed watching him act, and here he really grasps who Dan is. What I appreciate about Dan is that he is not an overly complicated man. He works hard, he loves his wife, he loves his children; he faces bouts of insecurity and bouts of jealousy. He is normal, just like you and me. Quaid understands this and plays him such. Topher Grace is equally impressive. I have always said that Grace was the greatest of the `That 70s Show' alumni. Sure, Kutcher is funny but Grace is an actor, a real actor. He can bring the funny but he can also bring heart. As Carter he brings an air of honesty to his character. Sure, he's quick witted and funny but he's relatable and understandable and sympathetic. I love the scene between Carter and Alex when he's trying to convince her that they should be together and you catch him `selling' her. It was then that I really saw Grace understood his character.The rest of the cast is just as impressive, they just don't get as much focus. Scarlett Johansson is great as usual (seriously, I see many awards in her near future) as Alex, Carter's love interest and Dan's pride and joy. She has so much beautiful chemistry with her co-stars. You can see the doting daughter in her when she looks into Quaid's eyes versus the curious infatuation she has when she's talking to Grace. She is truly a knockout actress who has everything going for her; striking beauty and immense talent. Marg Helgenberger doesn't have much to do, but she does what she does very well, and Selma Blair is effectively detached as Kimberly. Clark Gregg is a flawless jerk and David Paymer is sympathetic as Morty. Philip Baker Hall also has a nice cameo (this guy really knows how to command attention).`In Good Company' is blessed to have a very good script baking up its concept and actors. The script nicely fleshes out the relationships, both Carter and Alex's, Alex's and Dan's as well as Dan's and Carter's; each relationship adding beautiful layers to the films end result. This film was sorely overlooked come awards time. It has everything going for it so its snub is surprising to me. Quaid and Grace (as well as Johansson) turn in beautifully restrained performances that exhibit an honesty rarely seen in films today. Like I said, I can't think of a single reason to not love this movie; not one.

Tom Dinardi

(2013-05-13 15:12:08)

Topher Grace continues his rise in a solid movie

I went to see this movie because of Topher Grace. If you've ever seenThat 70's Show, you know that he is a very talented comedic actor. Isaw last year's not-so-well received Win A Date With Tad Hamilton!twice in theaters because of Topher, because I really enjoyed hischaracter.This was a very well done movie. Dennis Quiad plays 51-year-old DanForeman who is demoted from his job as advertising head for a sportsmagazine and replaced by 26-year-old Carter Duryea, just as hisdaughter is accepted to college and his wife becomes pregnant again(which, not more than 10 minutes into the movie, starts the comedyrolling). Duryea depends on Foreman at his job, and after invitinghimself over for dinner on the anniversary of his & his ex-wife's firstdate, he meets Dan's daughter, Alex (Scarlett Johansson) and falls forher.Unlike a typical "chick flick", this is portrayed more like the realworld (I was surprised at the amount of swearing for a PG-13 movie) andnot everything goes the way some of the characters want them to go. Avery enjoyable movie, but the audience I saw it with didn't seem tolike the ending because it isn't your typical happy ending. On theother hand, me & my drinking buddy who I saw it with not only enjoyedthe movie, but liked the ending since it is, like the rest of themovie, more realistic. 8/10

bemick1971

(2013-05-12 22:19:31)

that 70's how question

When Carter bought his Porsche and pulled out of the dealer and had theaccident, the guy he hit looked just like his father from "That 70'sShow" - Red Foreman. I checked the credits but it didn't show his name.I thought it was hysterical that when he hit him he looked at him andcalled him a "jacka##" when on that 70's Show he always calls him "dumba##". Can anyone say for sure if that was him? Also wasn't it funny theway Dennis Quaid's character's last name was Foreman and that is TopherGrace's character's last name in "That 70's Show!"Even though the movie didn't end exactly the way I wanted it to, it wascute and I enjoyed it.

annie-186

(2013-05-09 16:15:09)

Corporate cut-throats meet life values

A 51 year-old management executive (Quaid) gets sidelined for a 26 yearold hotshot (Topher Grace) when the sports magazine he works for getsacquired during a corporate take over. The principal story is of therelationship between these two characters and how - to their mutualsurprise - they learn from each other.I really enjoyed this movie. Its central characters are essentiallylikable with both depth and character flaws. Carter (Grace) is at timesso credibly naive that, coupled with his innocent face, I was cacklingloudly at several points during the movie. The chemistry between thecharacters seems natural and unforced, the comic timing is perfect andthe life messages given are simple without being beaten to death withthe typical Hollywood sugar stick.I still have a smile on my face 24 hours after having seen the movie.Very pleasant and easy to watch… 8/10

scottyt

(2013-05-08 20:55:11)

My Sort of Company

Having worked for some time within the corporate world I have oftenfound myself asking questions, questions about integrity & why so manyof us have completely let the need to consume dominate our world. 'InGood Company' certainly brought up these emotions again but itcontrasted them with a brilliant & beating heart. The characters arebeautifully drawn and the film managers to touch many angles of thesubtle warmths within life. Whilst the ensemble casts adds a beautifultouch to this film interjecting some wonderful by-plays the real depthof this picture is the brilliant screenplay, which, by not setting itsscope too large has managed to capture wonderfully that delicate act wecall human interaction. I disagree with other authors that the film'sending was somewhat of a cop-out, I thought Dan's final speech (andother end results) worked very well with the central theme of the film.There is very often great hollowness surrounding oppressive careerpursual and this brilliant film challenges the viewer to believe inwhat they pursue in life and to place a value on the elements of life.As mentioned I was moved by this film, the characters & the story, init I maybe found something I was looking for. Enjoy. Scott Tindall

Doughboy

(2013-05-06 00:16:42)

Charming but forgettable

Don't listen to those critics! "In Good Company" isn't a bad movie, but to call it a good one is going out of line.What we have here is a grade-A feel-gooder that if directed by anyone else and released any other time of the year, would have been justly ignored. But because it's being released during Oscar season, and it's from director Paul Weitz (who made the surprisingly triumphant masterpiece feel-gooder "About a Boy") Critic will let it slide.There are a few big laughs, and I guess I shouldn't complain about any movie that lets me gaze at Scarlett Johansson for a couple of hours, but it's just a forgettable movie. It's not a wasted time, just one you won't remember in a year. If you have to see this movie, wait for it on TNT.

(2013-05-05 21:11:47)

Timing is everything in life

I think the statement towards the end of the movie sums everything up, "timing is everything in life." I like the theme in this movie, the theme of old age versus youth, technology changing corporate America, but some values don't change, it shows the stablity of jobs, how time changes so quickly, new beginnings and endings in life. I believe the movie does a good job of addressing that. However, I did not like Topher Grace's character, I know you're not suppose to like him, but I just found him to be boring. Dennis Quaid's character embodies the vision of a hard-working, American father supporting his family. The best scene is the confrontation between the father and the daughter, it shows how time changes things. This was a light and warm movie, but it wasn't exactly great. It had it's moments though. Worth watching once.

luv2smile2006

(2013-05-04 04:04:05)

The Movie is a 10!

I just went and watched this movie this afternoon... and I absolutelyloved it! It is now ranked as one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE MOVIES! Ibase movies on the feeling I get from them.... what they make me thinkabout afterward... and this movie really allowed me to feel what thecharacters were feeling! Topher Grace and Scarlett Johansson have amagical chemistry that is really shown in this movie! Dennis Quaid issuch a great actor and he just plays this role so well. I would have tosay that this is definitely an amazing movie and I am going torecommend it to all of my friends... and offer to go see it with them!I think its amazing how some actors bring you into the film, theyreally let their emotions out and it makes the movie just hit you!

JoshtheGiant

(2013-05-03 20:22:56)

You're In Good Company

In Good Company may not be the best film by made by the Weitz brothers,but it still has many of the things I loved about their other films.Such as a perfect mix of hilarious comedy, and good old feeling anddrama. In Good Company is not as funny as American Pie, or About a Boy,but more dramatic than American Pie, and not as good as either of them.The story is very human and understands much of real life that almostevery other film misses. The screenplay is the strongest point of thefilm, the dialogue is amazing, and as I said earlier it understandslife in some really interesting and real ways, some even that we mightnot have seen before, the characters development is also great. Theacting is amazing, Dennis Quaid gives one of his many goodperformances, it's kinda a shame he has failed to give an amazing oneyet. Topher Grace is surprisingly great, something I earlier though wasbeyond him. Scarlett Johansson is also great, not her best performancebut still great. The rest of the supporting cast are all also great.The direction is good, but not great, some of the shots are set upwrong, but on others they make chances and work perfectly. The visualeffects are good, but they are not really needed that much. I wouldadvise any fan of the Weitz brothers to see this, as well as any oneelse, just remember it's very easy to love, but I doubt it will be yourfavorite movie.

(2013-04-30 15:44:54)

Not all that good

Was okay - but not satisfying. The ending was abrupt. I guess I expected a little more romance, so I was disappointed. Will not be joining my collection of movies and wouldn't waste time watching again.

(2013-04-30 08:23:13)

i felt so sad for carter!!!!!!!!!

it was sooo good. but if u r the kind of person who loves soft romantic movies where everything good happens and the people r with the ones they love then this really isn't the very best movie for u. but it was really really good. i felt some tears coming on in a lot of parts. most of the time when carter (topher) is feeling really bad. its soooooo sad!! but i think that it's one of my favotie movies ever. scarlet johansen, dennis quaid, marg helgenberger and topher grace were all fantastic though. my favorite acting of all was definitely from topher grace. he completely took the movie away for me. he is such a good actor. but don't get me wrong, scarlet johansen was fantastic too. i was impressed with lost in translation but the way that she puts all the right emotions out at the perfect time, it's sooooo amazing. i think that they did the best in the whole movie. i really thought it was real at some points. i think that if u like intense comedy's then this is ur movie.

Paul van Eijden

(2013-04-29 02:01:09)

Awful movie with nothing like a comedy

This movie contains nothing to laugh about, and is for that matter anawful comedy.Furthermore does this movie contain the traditional morale which everyAmerican movie has, including a dozen hugs and lots of so calledlessons learned.There is absolutely no reason this movie had to be made.However, the actors play their parts OK which must have been reallyhard because of the poorly written script.Dennis Quaid is a nice old man, and Scarlett Johansson is nice to lookat. Ashton Kutcher was right about dropping out due to "creativedifferences", obviously he also thought this was going to be a badmovie.

futuremoviewriter

(2013-04-28 19:23:25)

Out Bad Company (SPOILERS)

How come when a person sees a movie they don't expect disappointment? Ididn't expect to be disappointed when I saw In Good Company. The filmis about a businessman who becomes the associate to a man half his age.When the boss meets his associate's daughter,they have an understandingand then a relationship. When the associate (Dennis Quaid) finds outabout his daughter's (Scarlett Johansson) relationship,he goes nuts.Soshe breaks up with his boss (Topher Grace). Then because of the stupidCEO's sellout,Topher Grace looses his job and starts a new life. I'msaying that this movie didn't meet my expectations. I liked the movieup to the part where its ending began. The things that I wanted to seehappen were: I wanted to see him get his job back,I wanted to see themget back together,and I wanted Dennis Quaid's newborn baby to be aboy.If you listen to the critics about this maybe you'll like it. But Ilistened to the critics and it got me this disappointment. The endingto Firewall which I liked and other people didn't was better than thisending. The movie wasn't disappointing,just the ending. That's all Ihave to say.

(2013-04-28 00:28:09)

negative 20 stars

I received this DVD from my DVD club because I forgot to cancel the director selection of the month. I knew as soon as I took it out of the box I was in trouble. The cover picture is horrible beyond words, those stupid poses! I knew I was about to watch a horrible Hollywood assembly line piece of garbage. Upon watching I wanted to wretch. How did they talk these actors into this so called fim?? I went and traded it at my local pc games/cd/dvd store for 2 horror films.Avoid this at all cost....

Sheri

(2013-04-27 05:40:39)

Great Plot, Great Acting, Sloppy Ending

I thought this was a great movie that really could've taken twoseparate roads but ended up walking between them both. The first roadis the funny business plot and the second, the more intimate/relationship plot. Throughout the movie we start to relate to each the characters andreally feel what they are like and how they feel about each other.However, I think the end of the movie breaks our entire concept of whathas been built up about each of the characters. The build up of our relationship with each character and then theultimate disappointment of each of them not truly being what we thoughtthey were is very dissatisfying and leaves the audience feeling trickedand jaded.Alex I see the first glimpse of this in our relationship with thedaughter, Alex. She is beautiful and smart and we really start to loveher and all her sweetness - when suddenly she "seduces" Carter in a waythat makes us conclude that she has done this before and probably morethan once or twice.We feel betrayed for her father who is so proud of her and would beterribly hurt if he knew she was this way and had done these things.And thus, partially breaking the joy we find in the wonderfulfather/daughter relationship that was established.Now, even through this betrayal we could still forgive her because sheseems to justify her actions by appearing to be falling in love withCarter later on. When Carter finally tells her that he loves her andthen she tells him she doesn't want to see him anymore…..we really wantto hate her because poor Carter is so hurt - but we can see how muchCarter still loves her and so again we can feel a sense of forgivenessIF it all works out in the ending.Mark (played by Clark Gregg) He is the ultimate "focus on moving up"type of guy. Really cocky attitude, with a big ego and extremely toopsyched about Teddy K (the Globelcom CEO). When he finally is knockeddown by losing his job he immediately changes from one extreme toanother (which I find to be completely unbelievable). The characterthat was presented to us would have been either hysterically crying orthrowing a complete temper tantrum. His calm demeanor just did not fithis character.Dan This character was the most obvious and biggest disappointment. Wecome to know (and love) Dan as being a caring, loving father andhusband, the type of boss that would give the shirt off his back toemployees as well as to his clients. However, when he finds out thatCarter (and Mark) lost their jobs and that he gets his old one back –he simply says "sorry you lost your jobs" and walks away. This taking place right after Carter stood up for Dan when he was aboutto be fired by Mark - after Carter said "If you fire him you will haveto fire me" and after they built a relationship through the sale theywent out to get together. This was the most "out of character" move I have ever seen. The Danthat we got to know and love would have taken him home, talked overideas, offered him a job right then and there – not a month later!!So now that we had this downfall of disappointments it is a goodscript's job to bring the audience back up from the sorrow we feel. Wefeel sad about Alex dumping Carter but have hope and long for them toreunite. We feel sad that Carter lost his job but have hope and longfor him to be hired by Dan or find another job doing somethingmeaningful. We, the audience are hurting for Carter. He had no father, his wifecheated on him and divorced him, he lost his new love and lost his job.We need the good guy to win in the end – we need a happy ending. Yet,what did we get? We got a man who finally realized that running outsideis way nicer than running on a treadmill. We were looking for Carter to get what he wanted all along: the wedding– the business relationship – the picket fence home down the street,the thanksgiving dinner with kids! That is what he wanted all along andthat is what we, the audience, wanted for him. Receiving less was just…disappointing.Overall this was a wonderful and beautiful movie with fantastic actorswho did phenomenal jobs, (I personally can't wait to see Topher in morefilms!) but the whole movie was ruined by a sloppy and unfulfillingending.