I first saw this movie upon it's release in theaters. Based on the reviews I was reading at the time it seemed like a movie I just had to see. So I trudged through the suburbs, headed to a small theater in the heart of downtown Toronto, with my then girlfriend beside me, and we sat down and watched this movie.
I was 18, she 16. I loved it, she hated it. This movie is not for everyone's tastes, especially a 16 year old girl. At that time (1997) I knew nothing about Neil Labute, and no one had yet heard of Aaron Eckhart. Cut to 2012 and I haven't seen this movie since that night in Toronto. I know more about Labute, and have liked everything I have seen from him so far, which is only half of his catalogue.
And since I first saw In the Company of Men I haven't been able to get it out of my head. It's 15 years later and I still remember so much about this little film, especially the end. So last night, after all these years I watched it again. I wasn't sure if I would still like it, if it would hold up after 15 years, or if it would be as good as I remember it but as the end credits rolled I saw again why this movie never left my mind.
Neil Labute has written and directed a very strong debut film. In fact one watching this film today would never know that a) it was made for $25,000 and b) it was a directorial debut. The confidence and skill that Labute shows is head and shoulders above many a newcomer in the independent film market. Most first time filmmakers tend to have a 'film school' feel to their movies. Darren Aronofsky, Kevin Smith and Christopher Nolan's first features all fall into that 'film school' feel. Not they are bad films but they do feel like first films. In the Company of Men does not. The acting, the camera movements, the editing, the flow of the film, everything about it feels professional. And it's quite a remarkable achievement.
To begin with, the writing is fantastic; hilarious at times and heartbreaking at other times. The story concerns two men, off for a six week business trip and recently separated, who decide to exact revenge on women by picking one, treating her like a princess and then dumping her harshly at the end of the six weeks. There are twists and turns and emotions that are played with, both with the audience and the characters. The writing is sharp and the dialogue rings true and feels very natural. Labute's film feels very much like a darker and more sadistic David Mamet work. And these characters that he creates truly need to be seen to be believed.
Aaron Eckhart shines in his role as the slimy, sleazy, cocky and evil man. It's amazing that this is his first role as he seems so sure of himself and pulls off such a bravado performance. Within half an hour you hate his character, within an hour you despise him and by the end of the film you are cringing in your seat every time he appears. His character and his performance has created one of the most evil and unlikable characters ever to grace the silver screen.
Stacey Edwards is remarkable too. She plays a deaf secretary who becomes the object of the game concocted by the two men. It was only after watching this film and reading up about it that I found out that Edwards wasn't really deaf. That came as a complete shock to me as she acts and talks like the real deal. Her performance is nothing short of remarkable. Matt Malloy is good but doesn't compare to either Edwards or Eckhart. And the rest of the cast, in the minor roles that they have, are okay, but like Malloy, are out shined and out gunned by the other two leads.
The cinematography is noticeably dark, with lots of shadows and faces hidden within them. This suits the movie well as the movie takes us to the darker side of humanity. The opening of the film, in an airport terminal at night, is almost blacked out with just Eckhart and Malloy visible in a dull light. This dark and brooding atmosphere matches perfectly the despicable and utterly depraved dialogue that the 'men' are spouting. And this look and mood that is created continues for all 97 minutes of it's run time.
In the Company of Men is a film based on a play. A film that is really all about the actions of the characters and the dialogue they speak. The sets are minimal and realistic and feel like offices and restaurants and hotel rooms. The costumes are low key and the people feel real and not made up to be movie stars. The music is minimal and barely appears throughout the film. In fact the only time music is heard is during the credits and the act breaks (on screen as weeks). When the actors are on screen, there is not a single note scored or single scene set to music which only adds to the realism, tension and darkest of dark humor that unfolds.
By no means is this a happy film. There are no happy endings. Bad people stay bad and win, good people get screwed and stay screwed. This film is about assholes, and being an asshole, and how if you aren't an asshole then you are sure to be screwed by one. It's a dark and dirty picture with deplorable characters and a killer ending that you will never forget. It's scathingly funny at parts, while never in a laugh out loud kind of a way; more of a I can't believe I'm laughing at this way.
For a movie that is all dialogue it is amazing how it flies by at such a breakneck pace. This movie didn't feel as long as it was and could of been longer. It is truly original and truly shocking. Labute has crafted an unbelievable film here, and as a debut it's even more outstanding. If you think you can handle this film give it a whirl and I promise you won't be disappointed. I wan't the first time and 15 years later it made me feel just the same.
Film Rating: 81%
Breakdown (How In the Company of Men scored 81%):
Production Design: 7 out of 10
Cinematography: 7 out of 10
Re-playability: 8 out of 10
Originality: 10 out of 10
Costumes: 7 out of 10
Directing: 9 out of 10
Editing: 7 out of 10
Acting: 9 out of 10
Music: 7 out of 10
Script: 10 out of 10
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