IN THE COMPANY OF MEN
It was difficult for me to picture the motives of the two yuppie junior executives Chad (Aaron Eckhart) and Howard (Matt Malloy). They are unhappy with their jobs because they seem always to be passed over when promotions are made . . . and they are angry at the world. So far, that is understandable. What is not so readily understood is the absolute meanness, perversity in the suggestion by Chad that he and his friend find a woman who needs love and friendship, overwhelm, her with kindness . . . and then drop her like a bomb from on high.
True, they both have lately been having girl trouble but their prime anger seems to be with their employment . . . and it a far cry from that to the obscene undertaking they engage in with a pretty woman, Christine (Stacy Edwards), a secretary. What kind of misogynist bastards are they? How are we supposed to understand, to relate to these two brutes? What possesses someone to think up such a vile trick and what allows another to go along with it?
Christine is dated by both men. While she falls madly in love with Chad, she has strong feelings for Howard as well. Why not? They treat her as if she were the most desirable woman on Earth. With her disability of being mute, able only to speak in a strange voice, this very pretty woman is vulnerable to anyone who will shower her with attention.
At some point, she is told by Chad that he will no longer see her. No reason. Just a metaphoric slam in the face. When Howard later confesses to her that he, too, is in on it, that it is only a gag, I wanted to throw things at the screen. A controversial film? You bet it is.
Fine acting, good dialogue, keep the film alive and worth seeing . . . but be prepared to hate a couple of rats.
Written and Directed by Neil LaBute.
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Copyright 1997 Ben Hoffman
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