Review of Executive Suite (1954) by Greg W — 01 Apr 2013

3: Very solid Robert Wise film that plays like a combination between political thriller (a la Advise and Consent), noir (a la Sweet Smell of Success), and Mad Men. I almost wonder if the Mad men folks stole the office secretary's miniature pen necklace from the executive secretary depicted here.

Executive Suite is of course not as good as the aforementioned films or TV series, but it is rather engaging and original. It's a bit of a mash-up between the idealized version of 1950's America depicted in a few films from the era (and all the commercials) and the darker noir overtones more prevalent in the post-war 1940's.

The jam-packed stands at the children's little league baseball with everyone appearing to be in their Sunday best was rather idyllic, even if the politicking father was forced to abandon the game a bit early.

I was glued to the screen throughout, even if I could pretty much guess where it was heading (hint: the noirish tones do not win out in the end). I could certainly relate the office and organizational politics to my current job as well.

There is nothing new under the sun.