In the Company of Men (1997)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

Neil LaBute

Writer:

Neil LaBute (writer)

Release Date:

1 August 1997 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

Are all men bastards...or just misunderstood?

Plot:

Two business executives--one an avowed misogynist, the other recently emotionally wounded by his love interest--set out to exact revenge on the female gender by seeking out the most innocent, uncorrupted girl they can find and ruining her life.

Plot Keywords:

Love | Misogynist | Office | Business Trip | Secretary

Awards:

10 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Aaron Eckhart	...	Chad
Stacy Edwards	...	Christine
Matt Malloy	...	Howard
Michael Martin	...	Co-worker #1
Mark Rector	...	John
Chris Hayes	...	Co-worker #2
Jason Dixie	...	Intern
Emily Cline	...	Suzanne
Roxanne Butler	...	Flight attendant
Tahira Essix	...	Traveler
Julia Henkel	...	Traveler
Sara Pauley	...	Traveler
Cheryl Russell	...	Traveler
Jasen Savage	...	Traveler / Bank patron
Lynette Smith	...	Traveler

Also Known As:

En compagnie des hommes (Canada: French title)

MPAA:

Rated R for language and emotional abuse.

Runtime:

97 min

Country:

Canada | USA

Language:

English | American Sign Language

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Canada:14A (Ontario) | Iceland:L | Argentina:13 | Brazil:14 | New Zealand:R16 | Norway:7 | Spain:13 | Sweden:7 | UK:18 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA

Company:

Alliance Atlantis Communications

Trivia:

According to writer-director Neil LaBute, his script began with the line "Let's hurt somebody" and developed from there.

Quotes:

Howard: I get so used to saying what people want to hear I forget sometimes they might just want the truth.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Just Shoot Me!: In the Company of Maya (#2.12)" (1998)

An ambitious & troubling film

The film begins with two men in an airport lounge, both discussing how they recently broke-up with their girlfriends. The first man is named Chad (played by Aaron Eckhart). He is seemingly cordial to talk to but behind the smiling facade lies a loathsome, callous, spiteful fellow - one who is ruthless without showing any sign of remorse - in fact, he seems to derive great pleasure and pride from inflicting anguish on others, especially women. The other man is Howard (Mike Mallory), Chad's colleague at work and also a former member of the same college as Chad. Howard is a quieter chap, and seems to just go along with Chad's comments.

The two men have just arrived in a new town on a six week stay regarding their office work. Chad suggests that they date the same woman for the duration of the six week stay then dump her. Howard eventually agrees. The woman they pick is Christine (Stacy Edwards), a deaf woman who works in their office block. Chad thinks Christine is the perfect victim, with her being deaf, and mocks her distorted speech to Howard, and refers to her as a 'freak'. The two men start to date Christine, but problems start to arise when Howard bumps into them both in a restaurant. The film displays the start of each of the six weeks with a title and a burst of chaotic music. There are a few memorable scenes towards the conclusion of the film. The film focuses on the dog-eat-dog materialistic corporate world, and some of the envious and vindictive people that exist within it. I don't want to reveal any more, but I recommend you see this troubling film.