Review of In Good Company (2000) by Andrea M — 21 Sep 2007

I really didn't expect a whole lot from this movie, which is probably why I ended up liking it so much. This is one of those films that truly benefits from pitch-perfect casting. It's nice to see Dennis Quaid in a role with some real vulnerability.

Sure, he's great as a middle-aged ad sales exec. coping with a new boss half his age (Topher Grace). But the highlights of his performance revolve around his relationship with his oldest daughter (Scarlett Johansson), who's just flown the coop for college.

There's a real depth and complexity to all three of the main characters here, especially Quaid's and Grace's -- the young buck who by all outward appearances has the world on a string, but who would trade it all for the happiness and normalcy of Quaid's family life.

Where this film falls short is in its cookie-cutter supporting roles -- including the heartless a-hole CEO, the loyal, yet hapless, office underlings, and Marg Helgenberger, doing her best update of Donna Reed.