IN THE COMPANY OF MEN
SYNOPSIS:
Chad (Aaron Eckhart) and Howard (Matt Malloy), two junior
executives en route to a project in the city confide to each
other the various frustrations of their lives - in particular
those with women, having both been recently rejected by their
respective girlfriends. In an attempt to get even with the female
gender, Chad devises a cruel game plan, to find a suitably
vulnerable young woman and simultaneously date her, to get her to
fall in love with them both - and then both unceremoniously dump
her. Howard reluctantly agrees. All goes accordingly to plan
until, far too late, what began as a nasty prank is revealed as
being deadly serious, with a struggle between the two men at the
heart of the battle. The woman (Stacy Edwards) is only a means to
an end, a pawn easily captured and tossed aside in a dark, wicked
duel for corporate ascension.
"The strength of this uncomfortable yet irresistable film
lies in its writing, with the performances a close second. Savage
is the word that comes to mind as we watch – mesmerised -
the manipulative Chad turn his evil game into a living nightmare
for both Howard and Christine. Chad is the epitome of a serious
control freak; a real bastard in the bedroom and the boardroom.
It is a confronting film for many, and this reviewer has already
felt the power of the emotions it unleashes in those who dislike
it: only a moron could like this movie, I was told. (The speaker
had walked out half way through the film.) Now, any film that
polarises opinion so strongly has a claim to longevity; not only
will it be hotly debated, it will be variously misunderstood and
derided for being what it is not. It is risky filmmaking only
because it risks that alienation. It also has a final payoff that
turns our heads and hearts around a bit. For those who take their
tea strong, their vodka straight and their emotions on the chin,
In the Company of Men is a jolting, sometimes jocular exposition
of human corruption, a walk on the uglier side of ambition and
mental cruelty, intelligently done. But you must stay to the very
end."
Andrew L. Urban
"Stunning, strident, bold and black, this is a film that
is refreshingly different, with an intriguing, absorbing premise.
At times bleak, there are laughs which can only be described as
squirmy; uncomfortable confrontations that are often in bad
taste, but nonetheless compelling. The writing and directing
marry beautifully: the whole conversation which sets up the
premise starts in a airport courtesy lounge, continues in the
plane, in a train, then a bar, in the hotel room, in the
toilet…. The relationships (between Chad and Howard, as well
as between Christine and the two men) become a reality through
these conversations, a fascinating formula that works extremely
effectively. The concept is in fact a mission: a mission of
obsession about control and power. The performances by the three
leads are seductive and unforgettable. Aaron Eckhart is stunning
as Chad, the epitome of the insincere, callous user, who plays
with and discards human emotions easily and without conscience.
Eckhart manages to keep intrigue in the balance, and it is easy
to be totally beguiled by him. Stacy Edwards (Christine) creates
an unforgettable character - gentle, warm, honest and with a
conscience; the absolute converse of Chad. In the Company of Men
is an amazing film, one that shines for its uniqueness,
extraordinarily executed."
Louise Keller
"This is the kind of movie that they could never make in
mainstream Hollywood, unless of course, it had an upbeat ending.
It's understandable why In the Company of Men divides audiences
so sharply. It deals with ugly, narcissistic characters, and
confronts the viewer as few films dare do. Here is a work of
unquestionable power, a brutally honest, fascinating and sardonic
piece that explores the dark side of human behaviour, of male
behaviour at its most demonic. While it's easy to question the
film's amoral tone (and an uncomfortable denouement featuring
Chad), one can't but help be fascinated and mesmerised by the
uncompromising nature of this film, and therein lies its power.
Aided by a chilling performance by Aaron Eckhart as Chad, who
views relationships as a power struggle, In the Company of Men
goes boldly where no film has gone before, and does so in an
intelligent fashion. While some, and women in particular, may
find the film a tough one to sit through, for its psychological
treatise of the male animal and brazen honesty, this is a movie
that deserves to be found. Major discussions and arguments will
no doubt follow."
Paul Fischer
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CRITICAL COUNT
Favourable: 3
Unfavourable: 0
Mixed: 0
AARON ECKHARDT INTERVIEW by Andrew L. Urban
NEIL LABUTE INTERVIEW by Andrew L. Urban
"For those who take their
tea strong, their vodka straight and their emotions on the chin,
In the Company of Men is a jolting, sometimes jocular exposition
of human corruption, a walk on the uglier side of ambition and
mental cruelty, intelligently done."Andrew
L. Urban 
IN THE COMPANY OF MEN (M)
(US)
CAST: Aaron Eckhart, Stacy Edwards, Matt Malloy, Mark Rector,
Jason Dixie, Emily Cline
DIRECTOR: Neil LaBute
PRODUCER: Mark Archer, Stephen Pevner
SCRIPT: Neil LaBute
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Tony Hettinger
EDITOR: Joel Plotch
MUSIC: Ken Williams, Karel Roessingn
PRODUCTION DESIGN: Julia Henkel
RUNNING TIME: 95 minutes
AUSTRALIAN DISTRIBUTOR: Beyond Films
AUSTRALIAN RELEASE: March 26, 1998
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