Main Cast: Dennis Quaid, Topher Grace, Scarlett Johansson, Marg Helgenberger, David Paymer
Release Year: 2004
Country: US
Run Time: 110 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG13
Plot
A middle-aged man finds a callow twentysomething usurping his professional life and worming his way into his family in this alternately funny and poignant comedy drama. Dan Foreman (Dennis Quaid) is a middle-aged man who has spent 20 years as the head of advertising sales for Sports America, a leading athletics magazine. Dan is happily married to Ann (Marg Helgenberger) and has a college-age daughter, Alex (Scarlett Johansson), whom he dotes on, but Dan's comfortable life is given a major shake-up when a large multimedia firm buys the magazine. Seen as a bit long in the tooth to be truly competitive, Dan is demoted to second in command of advertising, and his position is handed over to Carter Duryea (Topher Grace), a 26-year-old who talks a good game about sales but has no practical experience in the field. Dan's wounded ego makes working with the arrogant Carter an uphill battle, but when he learns that Ann is expecting another baby, Dan is in no position to quit. Before long, Dan becomes aware of Carter's intense insecurities about his new job as the younger man reaches out to him for guidance, but this doesn't make Dan any less angry when Carter begins a romance with Alex after his marriage to Kimberley (Selma Blair) crashes and burns. In Good Company marked the solo directorial debut of Paul Weitz; he previously worked in collaboration with his brother Chris Weitz, who serves as producer on this film. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Review
One wouldn't have thought so back when he made his scatological debut as the writer of Nutty Professor II: The Klumps (2000) and director of American Pie (1999), but comic filmmaker Paul Weitz can't help letting his good taste show. About a Boy (2002) awakened critics and viewers to the possibility that a storyteller of sophistication, class, and emotional maturity might be present, but most laid the credit at the feet of smart, funny novelist Nick Hornby, upon whose novel the film was based. With In Good Company (2004), Weitz proves with an original project that a brain and a funny bone can coexist in one artist. That's an uncertain premise in an era when only the most tepid, cretinous comedies succeed at the box office, when even Woody Allen films play like bad mid-season sitcom pilots. Weitz's script abounds with sharp dialogue, scrupulous character development, and observant, trenchant inquiry into the battles between genders, generations, and the inner conflict that exists within anyone forced to balance the professional and personal. The writer/director elicits spot-on performances from Dennis Quaid, alternately baffled and resigned by his sudden new roles at home and the office, but it's in Topher Grace that Weitz really strikes gold -- his stammering, over-confident, bright but wounded quality is reminiscent of a young Dustin Hoffman (or at least George Segal). In Good Company (2004) is a solid, worthy next step in the careers of both Grace and Weitz, and marks them both as talents to keep an eye on in coming years. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
Clark Gregg - Steckle; Philip Baker Hall - Eugene Kalb; Selma Blair - Kimberly; Frankie R. Faison - Corwin; Ty Burrell - Enrique Colon; Kevin Chapman - Lou; Amy Aquino - Alicia; Zena Grey - Jana; Colleen Camp - Receptionist; Malcolm McDowell - Teddy K.; Enrique J. Castillo - Hector; Shishir Kurup - Maitre D'; Francesca Roberts - Loan Officer; Lauren Tom - Obstetrician; Sharon Washington - Fired Employee; Gregory Hinton - Moving Man; Miguel Arteta - Globecom Technician; John Cho - Petey; Tim Edward Rhoze - Theo; Roma Torre - Anchorwoman; Jon Collin - Waiter; Ron Bottitta - Porsche Dealer; Chris Ausnit - Young Executive; Gregory North - Lawyer; Todd Lyon - Moving Man; Thomas J. Dooley - Moving Man; Robin Kirksey - Basketball Ringer; Kate Ellis - Maya (Roommate); Nick Schutt - Carter's Assistant; John Kepley - Salesman; Mobin Khan - Salesman; Jeanne Kort - Saleswoman; Dean A. Parker - Mike; Richard Hotson - Fired Employee; Rebecca Hedrick - Teddy K's Assistant; Sam Tippe - Kid at Party; Andre Cablayan - Legally Dead; Dante Powell - Legally Dead
Credit
Fred Kolo - Art Director, Sue Chan - Art Director, Lawrence Pressman - Associate Producer, Matt Eddy - Associate Producer, Earl Sampson - Boom Operator, Joseph Middleton - Casting, Nels Van Patten - Consultant/advisor, Stephen Thompson - Consultant/advisor, Kerry Kohansky - Co-producer, Molly Maginnis - Costume Designer, Richard Graves - First Assistant Director, Paul Weitz - Director, Myron Kerstein - Editor, Rodney Liber - Executive Producer, Andrew Miano - Executive Producer, Kelly Nelson - Hair Styles, Michelle Elam - Hair Styles, Jo Jo Gerard - Hair Styles, Laine Trzinski - Hair Styles, Santiago Quinones - Location Manager, Colleen Gibbons - Location Manager, Stephen Trask - Composer (Music Score), Tricia Sawyer - Makeup, Ray Delamotte - Camera Operator, P. Scott Sakamoto - Camera Operator, William Arnold - Production Designer, Remi Adefarasin - Cinematographer, Chris Weitz - Producer, Paul Weitz - Producer, Roberto Fernandez - Recording, Mark Johnston - Recording, Mike Jimenez - Recording, Liz Lapp - Set Designer, David Wyman - Sound Mixer, Stan Barrett - Stunts, David Hugghins - Stunts, Michael Hugghins - Stunts, Anthony Kramme - Stunts, Ernie F. Orsatti - Stunts Coordinator, John Hartigan - Special Effects Supervisor, Jonathan Filley - Unit Production Manager, Dustin Bernard - Unit Production Manager, Paul Weitz - Screenwriter, Matthew August Ferrell - Production Assistant, Shaun O'Banion - Production Assistant, Matt Rawls - Production Assistant, Gary Williams - Production Assistant, Liam Cassidy - Production Assistant, Audrey Clark - Production Assistant, Louie Giangrande - Production Assistant, Sean Jennings - Production Assistant, Nicolas Lazareff - Production Assistant, Matt Maddox - Production Assistant, Taylor Roberts - Production Assistant, Jonas Spaccarotelli - Production Assistant, Richard Adrian - Sound Effects Editor, Ben Wilkins - Sound Effects Editor, Bryan Watkins - Sound Effects Editor, Carol McConnaughey - Unit Publicist, Kathy Nelson - Executive Music Producer, Michael S. Endler - First Assistant Camera, Dennis Seawright - First Assistant Camera, Ray Gonzales - Gaffer, Carlos Gallardo - Grip, Kat Bueno - Grip, Mark Rubin - Grip, Justin Van Fleet - Grip, Chris Conahan - Grip, Scott Eades - Grip, Greg Romero - Grip, Mark Elias - Grip, Steve Suveg - Grip, Richard Guinness Jr. - Key Grip, Jeff Case - Key Grip, Bret Rubin - Key Grip, Virginia Landis Albertson - Post Production Supervisor, M. Michelle Nishikawa - Production Coordinator, Drew Tidwell - Production Coordinator, Todd Ellis - Properties Master, Michael Saccio - Properties Master, David E. Campbell - Re-Recording Mixer, Gregg Rudloff - Re-Recording Mixer, John Reitz - Re-Recording Mixer, Alicia Accardo - Script Supervisor, Karen Shane - Second Assistant Director, P. Scott Sakamoto - Steadicam Operator, Glenn Wilson - Still Photographer, Eric Warren Lindemann - Supervising Sound Editor, Barbara Harris - Additional Casting, Kimberly Lowe Voight - ADR Editor, Thomas J. O'Connell - ADR Mixer, Rick Canelli - ADR Recordist, Christina Rollo - Art Department Assistant, Leann Emmert - Assistant Location Manager, Glen Evans - Assistant Location Manager, Joaquin Diego Prange - Assistant Location Manager, Cesar Quinones - Assistant Location Manager, Albert Salsich - Assistant Location Manager, Ron Berkeley - Assistant Makeup, Andrea Pappas - Assistant Production Coordinator, Ray Utarnachitt - Assistant Production Coordinator, Allison Gross - Assistant Properties, Timothy Y. Wetzel - Assistant Properties, Paul Hackner - Assistant Sound Editor, Nathan Whitehead - Assistant Sound Editor, Bill Almeida - Best Boy Electric, Erik Bernstein - Best Boy Electric, Russell Ayer - Best Boy Electric, E. James Scutakes - Best Boy Grip, Tom Greene - Best Boy Grip, Scott Jackson - Best Boy Grip, Kristen Gassner - Buyer, Mike Cahoon - Camera Loader, Kathleen Tomasik - Casting Associate, Rachel Tenner - Casting Associate, Lauren Grey - Casting Associate, Colin J. Campbell - Chief Lighting Technician, Clay Liversidge - Chief Lighting Technician, Robert Carlyle - Construction Coordinator, Chuck Crutchfield - Costumes Supervisor, Sandy Kenyon - Costumes Supervisor, Susan Wright - Costumes Supervisor, James Morioka - Dialogue Editor, Chris Scurria - Dolly Grip, Danny Beaman - Dolly Grip, Jasper Johnson - Dolly Grip, Sean Smith - Electrician, Ian Strang - Electrician, Judy Simpson Cook - Extra Casting, Background Players - Extra Casting, Edna Wilkerson - First Assistant Accountant, Greg Thompson - First Assistant Editor, Mary Jo Lang - Foley Artist, John Roesch - Foley Artist, Alyson Moore - Foley Artist, Scott Morgan - Foley Artist, Valerie Davidson - Foley Editor, Danielle Baker - Key Costumer, Sharon Lynch - Key Costumer, Reese James Spensley - Key Costumer, Sally Smith-McCardle - Key Costumer, Donna Marie Fischetto - Key Hairstylist, Nuria Sitja - Key Make-up, Joe Proscia - Leadman, Rebecca Hedrick - Personal Assistant, Marc Hofstatter - Personal Assistant, Monique Ramirez - Personal Assistant, Paul Belenardo - Production Accountant, Kevin De La Motte - Second Assistant Camera, Shawn Landis - Second Assistant Camera, Jodi Lowry Fisher - Second Second Assistant Director, Eric Sherman - Second Unit Assistant Director, Michelle Keiser - Second Unit Assistant Director, Peter Kang - Set Dresser, Thierry Labbe - Set Dresser, Sammy J. Tell - Set Dresser, Billy Baker - Set Dresser, Michael Brogan - Set Dresser, Brenner Harris - Set Dresser, Eric Kelly - Set Dresser, Richard Stockton - Set Dresser, Darrell Vangilder - Set Dresser, Kenny Youngblood - Transportation Captain, Gene O'Neill - Transportation Captain, John Leonidas - Transportation Captain, Gary Shephard - Transportation Coordinator, Larry Shephard - Transportation Coordinator, David Smith - Set Decorator, Judi M. Durand - ADR Loop Group, Greg Finley - ADR Loop Group, Vernon Scott - ADR Loop Group, Arlin Miller - ADR Loop Group, Jason Broad - ADR Loop Group, Barbara Harris - ADR Voice Casting, Chris De Laguardia - Color Timing, W. Scott Mason - Construction Foreman, Richard Cody - Craft Service/Catering, Mario's Catering - Craft Service/Catering, Mo Henry - Negative Cutter, Frank Inserra - Production Secretary, Scott Sullens - Production Secretary, B. J. Smith - Set Medic/First Aid, Ken Clark - Set Medic/First Aid, Ron Roseguard - Special Effects Foreman, Joel Holland - Video Assist, Jay Huntoon - Video Assist, Adam Khalid - Graphic Design, Pacific Title - Title Design, The Picture Mill - Title Design, Rachel Goodlett - Assistant Avid Editor, Jim Makiej - Assistant Editor, Marisa Morabito - Assistant Editor, Barbara Olvera - Department Head Hair, Nena Smarz - Department Head Makeup, Nancy Barker - First Assistant Sound Editor, Jimmy Flores - Properties Maker Foreman, James Arrigo - Properties Maker Gang Boss, Craig Bernatzke - Properties Maker Gang Boss, Ken Keavy - Properties Maker Gang Boss, Gary Stel - Properties Maker Gang Boss
Dan Foreman (Dennis Quaid) is a seasoned advertisement sales executive at a high-ranking publication when a corporate takeover results in him being placed under naive supervisor Carter Duryea (Topher Grace), who is half his age. Matters are made worse when Dan's new supervisor becomes romantically involved with his daughter, 18 year-old college student Alex (Scarlett Johansson) and Dan's wife (Marg Helgenberger) is pregnant with their third child.
