In the Company of Men

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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

Customer Reviews:

In the company of a sociopath.......2007-08-02

Sociopaths are generally believed to be totally selfish, lacking in empathy with other people and believe themselves to be above the law. Not surprisingly 75% of men in prison can be classified this way. However what if the sociopath has above average intelligence, good looks, health, opportunities and charisma? He may find a way to operate within the bounds of society and become very successful in the business or political world not caring how his behavior may effect others. Chad, the main character in the film IN THE COMPANY OF MEN seems to meet the definition of sociopath. We first meet him and nerdy co-worker Howard in an airport lounge bemoaning their bad luck in having to leave "civilization" (company headquarters) to spend six weeks getting a never named project started in a small unnamed city (the movie was filmed in Ft. Wayne, Indiana). Howard who is actually higher in the company than Chad has recently been deserted by a fiance and Chad "tells" Howard he is also bitter over the recent sudden move out of his girlfriend. Chad who resembles a popular thirty year old fraternity boy comes up with a plan to both pass their six weeks in the boonies and get some revenge on womankind. They will both romance a "wallflower" type girl and then devastate her when she finds it was all an elaborate practical joke. They find Christine an attractive typist in their office who has a speech impediment because of her deafness and the cruel plan is set in motion. The movie is very well acted by the three principal actors and sadly seems realistic despite the dark plot and permeating cruelty that sometimes makes it difficult to watch. A final twist is revealed near the end of the film and the closing shot of Howard and Christine is very haunting. I've seen this movie described as a comedy but it definitely belongs in the drama section.

Feel good movie .......2007-07-20

Great feel good movie, not! What a brutal movie of a man plotting to hurt people "because he can".

I couldn't sleep last night, the one scene where he exposes his motives kept playing in my mind, the most painful scene I've ever witnessed in film.

No physical violence, no murder, just words and the enjoyment in hurting people that express a real everday evil. Horrible evil.

Let's hurt somebody.......2007-05-29

A couple of office buddies, sick of some bad luck with the ladies, devise a sinister plan--find a nice woman and both stomp all over her heart. Just for fun. Oh yes, men are pigs, but this movie is hilarious and horrifying.
There are several occasions where you're placed in the cross-fire of some extremely blunt male conversations. Some of it feels a little forced, but most of their harsh statements and offensive jokes feels like another regular day in the company of men.
The two main players in this game are played by Aaron Eckhart and Matt Malloy. Just like in Thank You for Smoking, Eckart seems like a complete natural for the charismatic but arrogant business exec. Malloy fits in well as his feeble sidekick. They find the perfect victim for their despicable plan--a naive, pretty woman at the office who happens to be deaf. Her handicap adds to the cruelty of their competition.
There is one particular scene in this movie that made me quite uneasy. Eckart demoralizes a young, black employee by challenging him to drop his drawers and prove he has the (guts) to excel in the company. Talk about corporate pressure...

MAJOR SPOILERS-
I have to comment on the ending, because it's what makes this black comedy so brilliant. I was totally suprised by it. But it's actually true to life.
The nice guy finishes last, the girl gets her fragile heart broken, and the bad boy gets what he wants and doesn't learn any life-altering lessons. You don't see that sort of thing in movies very often. But this conclusion is what sets this story apart.

mean guys being mean.......2007-05-14

I was writing a screenplay and struggling to make my characters meaner people. Someone told me to see this movie, and I loved it. These guys are really horrible, it was great. Just when you think they are the worst, they get worse. Great ending, surprises.

Not as good as his later works........2007-03-07

I agree with a review that Roger Ebert gave Your Friends and Neighbors, which was, it was like Quinten Tarantino's Pulp Fiction to his Reservior Dogs. This film is a singular work, not on the scope of Your Friends and Neighbors, and not as good. Some scenes were very good and entertaining, and because of that, surely deserves to be watched. Hopefully if it goes on sale even more. At 20 dollars it would be a good buy. However, I did not find myself drawn into the failures of the characters as much as I was hoping for. So I find myself having to give it 3 stars.

Average customer rating:

In the company of a sociopath
Feel good movie
Let's hurt somebody
mean guys being mean
Not as good as his later works.

In the Company of Men
Starring: Aaron Eckhart , Stacy Edwards , Matt Malloy , Emily Cline , and Jason Dixie
Director: Neil LaBute
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: 0767806778
Release Date: 1998-03-17

Amazon.com

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 Malloy) 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

Customer Reviews:

In the company of a sociopath.......2007-08-02

Feel good movie .......2007-07-20

Let's hurt somebody.......2007-05-29

mean guys being mean.......2007-05-14

Not as good as his later works........2007-03-07

Charlie Rose with Salman Rushdie, Arundhati Roy & Barbara Crossette; Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe & Harry Marmion; Neil Labute (August 14, 1997)

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Charlie Rose with Salman Rushdie, Arundhati Roy & Barbara Crossette; Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe & Harry Marmion; Neil Labute (August 14, 1997)

Manufacturer: Charlie Rose
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Description

Indian authors Salman Rushdie and Arundhati Roy as well as American journalist Barbara Crossette talk to Charlie about India's 50th year of independence. They share their thoughts on the future of the world's largest democracy. Next, the United States Tennis Association is naming its new tennis stadium after the late tennis star Arthur Ashe. His widow, Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe, and USTA president Harry Marmion talk about the new stadium and the legacy of its namesake. Finally, filmmaker Neil Labute discusses his controversial new film, In The Company of Men, which explores gender relations.

In the Company of Men [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.2 Import - Spain ]

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In the Company of Men [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.2 Import - Spain ]
Director: Neil LaBute
Manufacturer: Aurum
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000EIU4UE

Product Description

Spain released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: it WILL NOT play on standard US DVD player. You need multi-region PAL/NTSC DVD player to view it in USA/Canada. LANGUAGES: English (Dolby Digital 2.0), Spanish (Dolby Digital 2.0), Spanish (Subtitles), SYNOPSIS: Two junior executives on a six week business trip, both of whom have been recently hurt by women, devise a horrible plan to get even with women for their past hurts: They intend to find, romance, and then dump a vulnerable woman. They choose Cristine, and for a while all goes according to plan. However, it soon becomes clear that things are not as simple as they think. SPECIAL FEATURES: Photo Gallery, Interactive Menu, Filmographies, Featurette,

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