Review of In the Company of Men (1995) by Juan C — 02 Apr 2011

In the Company of Men starts out with an intriguing setup, and then fails to go anywhere interesting with the concept. In fact it delivers something opposite to what it had promised and in a weak fashion.

It was interesting to see how the protagonist was essentially split between the two leads. Eckhart gives a great performance as a misanthrope, not the misogynist as advertised. As the final reveal is made he is shown to be an unreliable narrator, which has been foreshadowed throughout the film.

The directing itself lacked style and had a stage play feel to it, akin to Glengarry Glen Ross. The story is told in chapters pertaining to week. To make up for the long takes excessive music is added as the chapters are displayed, suggesting something nearly apocalyptic is to come. That said it never devolved into melodrama or seemed totally unrealistic. The office environment and business politics also had an American Psycho feel to it. The whole genre of the office film seems fertile for mining but has perhaps been replaced by television equivalents.

The idea of going out with both men simultaneously initially seemed like it was a plothole but it is at least addressed. However the repercussions of Eckhartâ(TM)s infidelity seem to be glossed over as his master plan is ridiculously hatched. The Howard character also becomes hard to feel empathy for as he lashes out in bouts of violence. The developments of the film seem to go down the least interesting path. Misogyny takes second place for some inexplicable business manoeuvring.