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 Cristine, 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:

office | misogynist | revenge | androphobia | 1990s | 

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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, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$2,856,622, 12 October 1997

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: Fuck her! Let's get a sandwich!

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Connections

Featured in Nostalgia Critic: The Wicker Man (2014)

User Reviews

Harsh comedy that almost succeeds

Chad (Aaron Eckhart) and Howard (Matt Malloy) are in a new town for 6 weeks on business. Frustrated by the women in their lives they decide to use the time to seduce an insecure woman and make her feel loved - only to destroy her before they leave. They pick Christine (Stacy Edwards), a deaf girl from their office and set the plan in motion.

This is a fascinating black comedy looking at the macho world of American businessmen - although it is a look at the shallowness and competitiveness of men generally. The plot may sound simple but it is very powerful and insightful - although the men are exaggerated versions of reality in order to make clear points. The film doesn't totally satisfy but it is a great character piece.

Almost to a man the leads are all excellent, Eckhart is almost pure evil as the man who we all recognise or know, while Malloy is great as the man who wants to be in the game but is getting to the point where he longs for simpler values. Edwards is beautiful as the vulnerable Christine who gradually opens up with confidence as she is made to feel more and more special.

Labate's direction is spot on for this - most of the action is dialogue based and the sets are made like theatre sets. As such the direction is quite static but the camera is often set in very interesting shots. Labate's writing is the real strength with the whole dialogue strong, perhaps exaggerated and yet totally believable.

A wonderfully harsh drama that will make you aware that will carry you along effortlessly.