In the Company of Men (1997)

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.

Director:

Neil LaBute (as Neil Labute)

Writers:

Neil LaBute (play), Neil LaBute (screenplay)

Stars:

Aaron Eckhart, Matt Malloy, Stacy Edwards

14 wins & 12 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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
Tahirah Essix	...	Traveler
Julia Henkel	...	Traveler
Sara Pauley	...	Traveler
Cheryl Russell	...	Traveler
Jasen Savage	...	Traveler / Bank patron
Lynette Smith	...	Traveler

Storyline

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 Christine, and for a while all goes according to plan. However, it soon becomes clear that things are not as simple as they think.

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Plot Keywords:

misogynist | deaf woman | sexism | office | secretary | 

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Taglines:

Are all men bastards...or just misunderstood?

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and emotional abuse

Details

Country:

Canada USA

Language:

English American Sign Language

Release Date:

1 August 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

En compagnie des hommes

Filming Locations:

Fort Wayne International Airport, Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$25,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$100,006, 3 August 1997

Gross USA:

$2,804,473

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$2,804,473

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alliance Atlantis Communications, Fair and Square Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Premiere voted this movie as one of "The 25 Most Dangerous Movies." (In the description for the list, the magazine stated, "These are movies about which you could say, "That's Not Entertainment." They're not "rides" or "diversions." They are galvanizing experiences that place squarely in your face all the stuff Hollywood usually presumes you go to the movies to get away from. Films that rearrange your head, that challenge your bedrock ideas about life and love and the big sleep. Consciousness-expanders, in other words, but rarely in a pleasant way. Thank God for them.")

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Quotes

Chad: [Snaps his fingers then Yells] Hey!

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Connections

References The Magnificent Ambersons (1942)

User Reviews

A portrait of the Alpha Male and how he got that way

This is a riveting movie, but also an unexpected one. I didn't see this until it came out on video, and I had heard a lot about it of course, but luckily I was in the dark on the twist LaBute throws in at the end. Most people got that this was a study of male-female relationships from a wildly off-kilter view, and that was powerfully done. But I think most people missed this is also about the workplace, specifically the Alpha Male in the workplace, and how he got that way. Is it any wonder that Chad and Howard decide to make a game of their seduction of Katherine when it's clear they've had to plan their whole careers as if they were competing in a game of some kind?

I think I agree with an interview I saw with LaBute where he said he thought Howard was actually the more despicable character, because Chad is only in it for the game, where Howard starts to take those feelings seriously. Nevertheless, Eckhart's performance makes Chad one of the most chilling characters I've ever seen in movies. Where a lot of movie villains "indicate" to let you know they're just acting (which does work when it's done right), Eckhart gives away nothing, so you never know what he's thinking, even if he tells you what he's thinking. I hope he goes on to bigger things.