In Good Company (2004)

A middle-aged ad exec is faced with a new boss who's nearly half his age... and who also happens to be sleeping with his daughter.

Director:

Paul Weitz

Writer:

Paul Weitz

Stars:

Dennis Quaid, Topher Grace, Scarlett Johansson

2 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Dennis Quaid	...	Dan
Topher Grace	...	Carter
Scarlett Johansson	...	Alex
Marg Helgenberger	...	Ann
David Paymer	...	Morty
Clark Gregg	...	Steckle
Philip Baker Hall	...	Eugene Kalb
Selma Blair	...	Kimberly
Frankie Faison	...	Corwin
Ty Burrell	...	Enrique Colon
Kevin Chapman	...	Lou
Amy Aquino	...	Alicia
Zena Grey	...	Jana
Colleen Camp	...	Receptionist
Lauren Tom	...	Obstetrician

Storyline

Dan is a 51 year old executive who learns that his company is being restructured and he is being demoted. Carter, who is 26, replaces him. Dan who has two teenage daughters with another on the way, decides to suck it up and work for Carter. Dan and Carter's working relationship is tested when Carter begins a relationship with Alex, who is Dan's daughter.

---

Plot Keywords:

new york city new york | pizza | crying | taxi | watching tv | 

---

Taglines:

He's rich, young and handsome. He's in love with you and he's your dad's boss.

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some sexual content and drug references

Did You Know?

Trivia

The Sports America issue that Dan shows to Eugene Kalb during his sales pitch features Carmelo Anthony Carmelo Anthony of the Denver Nuggets on the cover.

---

Goofs

When Carter is calling his wife while on his treadmill, his wedding ring is on his right hand.

---

Quotes

[first lines]
Anchorwoman: After months of speculation, analysts expect an announcement this week that GlobeCom International will acquire Waterman Publishing and its flagship magazine, Sports America. The man at the helm of GlobeCom, billionaire media magnate Teddy K., has been on a spending spree recently, acquiring a food service company, a cable operator, and two telecommunications providers in deals totaling more than $13 billion. And how did one lucky ferret owner come to own the largest dog treat ...

---

Connections

References American Beauty (1999)

---

Soundtracks

Those to Come
(2003)
Written by James Mercer (as James R. Mercer)
Performed by The Shins
Courtesy of Sub Pop Records

User Reviews

A Well-Casted, Well-Executed Feel-Good Movie

Director Paul Weitz's Best Screenplay; Topher Grace's Break-Out in Film (his first and best film performance to date); Scarlett Johansson continued her rapid ascent in film, at only age 19 (turned 20 during production); and Dennis Quad hits a home run in one of his most endearing and connected performances.

Ignore the trailer that fails to capture the subtle moments in the film.

This is a nearly perfect "little film" with a great story that draws you in with believable charecters, and first rate performances by every actor.

'In Good Company' takes one through the balancing of middle-age fatherhood and career (Quad), with heart, humor, and a positive family-first theme (without resorting to cliches or the "Hollywood" treatment). Safe for 12+ year olds, and identifiable charecters and themes for adults.

Add in the perspective of a bright mid-twenties professional's (Topher Grace) search for happiness - meaningful career, love, a wife, starting a family, and a life-mentor/father-figure (Quad), while navigating the good, the bad, and the indifferent of corporate personalities, and interesct the two generations, and you have a film that engages one from beginning to end.

Soundtrack is wonderfully in sync with the emotions of the film.

Co-star Johansson is flawless in building upon her breakout 'Lost In Translation' and 'Pearl Earring' performances. This mid-2000 decade acting period was when she made her mark and honed her acting skills, while rapidly ascending to stardom.

Johansson's character (Quad's daughter and Grace's love interest) is essential to drawing Quad/Grace towards their inevitable surrogate father/son relationship, and she does so perfectly, making every actor around her look good - why she didn't receive Best Performance In A Supporting Role nomination is perplexing, but probably due to her already highly-recognized performances over the previous 18 months - quite an impressive resume for a teenager.

A must-see film and one that is just as great the second and third time viewing it.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Russia]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 January 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

Synergy

Filming Locations:

7th & Hope Streets, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$26,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$151,750, 2 January 2005

Gross USA:

$45,806,659

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$61,315,215

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Depth of Field

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1