The Business of Strangers (2001)

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 | Businesswoman | Airport | Hotel | Face Slap

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 | Italy:T | 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: I've seen a thousand girls just like you; rich families, all the opportunities and you throw it all away. You put on this act, disaffected, obnoxious, talented but undiscovered. You know what? You all end up with your sensitive husbands, pregnant, coming back pleading for a job and making my coffee.

Movie Connections:

Features One Size Fits All (1998) (V)

Bad story, bad movie.

Yet another independent film director trying to scream at the world how artistic he is by accepting a vapid script. In a review I read of this movie, Stiles' character was described as a fragile wall flower who shows her true colors towards the end of the movie. This could not be farther from the truth. Even in the beginning scenes one can get the feeling of utter angst, and self-loathing steaming off Paula. To when you see her waiting in the bar, and a man comes to talk to her, with Paula telling him to "f*ck off". Real fragile there, right? Her character completely gives off the airs of a 20-something nobody stemming from a rich family who has nothing to do but mess with peoples lives, and act vindictively. This by far overshadowed what could have been an amazing performance by Channing. The story itself was utterly vague, a tactic used by many independent film makers in order to supposedly let the viewer decide for themselves what is really going on behind the scenes. In the end it came out being just so vague that I had all together absolutely no clue as to the intents of the other. I think the whole black mail thing towards the end could have been more developed, whereas instead it came out as an empty threat. In the end I only found myself laughing at Paula's feeble attempts at seeming tough, and hardened by the world, as well as the men in it. To me, this film was just another one that the critics eat up because of its supposed "artistry" while holding no form, or poise at all. I give it a strong (D-)