In The Company of Men
Have you ever hated the opposite sex? Ever wanted to mess with a member of the opposite sex just to get even for previous wrongs? Ever been screwed over by a coworker bucking for a promotion? And have you ever known someone who was capable of performing malicious acts just "because he could"? These are just a few of the hot-button issues at the heart of the controversial film "In The Company Of Men," the writing and directing debut of Neil LaBute (Nurse Betty, Your Friends and Neighbors). Most films shy away from the darker side of human nature, but LaBute puts it on full display in this brave, brutal film.
The movie centers around Chad (Aaron Eckhart) and Howard (Matt Malloy), two businessman with some pent-up bitterness toward females. After arriving in a town where they'll be spending the next six weeks on business, the two enjoy some drinks, and Chad proposes a plan to get even with the women who have wronged them. The two will find a plain, possibly handicapped woman ("someone who'd practically wet her pants if you gave her the time of day") and shower her with attention and romance, only to dump her without warning at the end of their 6-week business assignment. "She'll be reaching for the sleeping pills in a week," muses Chad with a smug grin on his face. "And no matter what any other woman does, we'll always have thisÉ" The bookish Howard is a little skeptical at first but eventually agrees, and the game is on.
The subject of their game is Christine (Stacy Edwards), a pretty but deaf woman. As a result of her deafness, Christine has a high-pitched voice (which Chad cruelly mocks behind her back) that makes her reluctant to speak and generally shy. Chad and Howard start their seduction slowly, taking Christine on dates and sending her flowers before so much as a kiss has been exchanged. As the game progresses, it starts to become more and more complicated as one of the participants develops a potentially legitimate interest in Christine.
Although the game serves as the plot's center, LaBute addresses a wealth of issues in In The Company Of Men. Office politics are explored in hilarious-but-harsh detail, and the subject of power ultimately becomes the film's most-pressing topic. LaBute's guerrila filmmaking style is perfect for the subject matter, taking on explosive situations head on. In one memorable scene, Chad humiliates an African American underling. After the character pronounces the word "ask" as "aks," Chad gets in his face. "Let me give you some professional advice," his says in his most condescending tone, "The word is ASK." Is the scene a commentary on racism, office politics, power or all of the above? Whatever the case, LaBute proves in In The Company Of Men that he's the rare filmmaker with the guts to directly address a controversial subject.
The lead three performers are superb. Eckart is spectacular in a blistering portrayal of one of the most despicable characters to ever grace the screen. Malloy also does a fine job as Howard, a nerdy, seemingly sweet guy capable of being brutal in his own right. And Edwards is phenomenal, so convincing in her role that I though she actually WAS deaf (she's not).
In The Company Of Men is a daring, insightful work that is sure to provoke a strong reaction. Whether you love it or hate it, it's guaranteed to leave a lasting impression.
Send any comments/ feedback to the author.
Hardcore nature of the film may urge you to tip the bottle, not to mention Eckhart's snarling response to a waitress who delivers him and Howard two beers. "Do we look like frat boys? We need scotch."
Battle of sexes may promote some interesting post-film discussion, but lines like "I don't trust anything that bleeds for a week and doesn't die" aren't likely to get the romance flowing, especially if you let loose with a hearty guffaw in response.
Buy this movie from Amazon.com
