Review of In the Company of Men (1995) by Gregory G — 23 Apr 2010
Mean-spirited, supposed satire of misogyny among yuppies in corporate America. Two business execs (Aaron Eckhart, Matt Malloy), who have both been recently dumped by women, hatch a plan to exact revenge by wooing a self-conscious, deaf co-worker (Stacy Edwards) before dumping her.
Writer-director Neil LaBute adapted his own play; he incorporates a minimalist style that plays like a thesis more than a movie. Once the scheme has been established there is nothing for a viewer to respond to except to be placed in the uncomfortable position of watching a series of humiliations with offensive sexual and racial overtones.
Victimization is exploited for the single-minded purpose of causing audiences to squirm. Having the target of this male chauvinist revenge fantasy be deaf only adds to the callousness as deafness is equated with being a dupe.
The men are given no redeeming qualities. Aaron Eckhart is the domineering, calculating Chad who has motives that are surprising and disturbing; Matt Malloy is the passive Howard who goes along with the scheme but turns into a patsy; Stacy Edwards is presented solely for us to feel sorry for her.
The movie was widely acclaimed but divided audiences, which appeared to be its only purpose.
This review of In the Company of Men (1995) was written by Gregory G on 23 Apr 2010.
In the Company of Men has generally received very positive reviews.
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