The Business of Strangers (2001)

User Rating:

6.4/10   

Director:

Patrick Stettner

Writer:

Patrick Stettner (writer)

Release Date:

3 May 2002 (UK)

Genre:

Drama | Thriller

Plot:

Two businesswomen bond and reveal their inner natures while getting carried away on a revenge attack against an accused rapist.

Plot Keywords:

Revenge | Airport | Hotel | Businesswoman | Shower

Awards:

4 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

Stockard Channing	...	Julie Styron
Julia Stiles	...	Paula Murphy
Fred Weller	...	Nick Harris (as Frederick Weller)
Mary Testa	...	Receptionist
Jack Hallett	...	Mr. Fostwick
Marcus Giamatti	...	Robert
Buddy Fitzpatrick	...	Waiter
Salem Ludwig	...	Man at Pool
Shelagh Ratner	...	Airport Announcer

MPAA:

Rated R for strong language and some sexuality.

Runtime:

84 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (DuArt)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:12 | Finland:K-11 | Australia:MA | Canada:14A | New Zealand:R16 | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

JFK International Airport, Jamaica, Queens, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Headquarters

Goofs:

Continuity: When the three are in the hotel room together, it is obviously dark outside and the time is even stated at being "midnight". However, when the television is turned on, the news channel is running live stock quotes (something that would only happen during the day) and the time on the television reads "1:30PM"

Quotes:

Julie: Nobody ends up being what they really want - it's part of life. It's called growing up.

Movie Connections:

Features "The Charlie Rose Show" (1991)

Would have liked to see more but that probably would have ruined it

Paula hates men, and has learned to use her sexual attractiveness as a weapon against them. It's made obvious the way she likes to taunt them in the elevator, the dance floor. Making out in the hallway just enough to get him turned on, then kick him away. Throwing their lame smalltalk back in their face. (At the end of the movie I asked my SO why she "did it" and the answer was "because she can." I got it right.)

Paula is a constant, but what about Julie? Together but brittle, Paula boils things to the surface of Julie that otherwise would not have come to light without sufficient heat. This movie keeps you watching, and you can't help but question whether the characters and fallen "out of character" or not. But that's the whole point.

You keep watching because you want to see where it goes. Over the edge, or reel back to safety?

Actors aside, the background is perfect, as anyone who has spent any amount of time on business trips knows.

Eight stars.