Psychological think piece
Added 12/2/2008
Two women cross paths on the business trail, one young and one older. They clash, then reunite, then get into each others' business over a male who is an alleged rapist. Some great acting here and some nice moodiness in the film-making. It's got some elements of 'The Office,' with a darker twist. The ambiguous ending is a nice touch. Watch.
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Lame Film
Added 7/20/2008
Very predictable with lame screenplay. Disappointing film for such fine actresses. Would NEVER recommend. Just awful, in spite of the cast. Vendor did a great job on getting the product, as promised, to me. Would recommend the vendor, not the film.
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Other reviews missed a crucial point
Added 4/18/2008
Most other reviews on this site missed a major point of the film: in the end, it didnt matter whether or not Nick, the male character, raped Paula or any friend of hers. It is decided (by the filmmaker, via Channing's character) that based on the fact that he's a man, and has a smarmy personality to boot, he most likely raped some woman at some time -- and so deserved everything he got, if not more. This is a radical point for a movie to make, and compares only to Mamet's House of Games for a similar theme. I understand the comparison's to In the Company of Men, but in that movie the man who has been lied to by his "friend" is enraged at the betrayal, and pathetically yet controllingly begging his girlfriend to take him back. People who dont realize the difference between men attacking and explointing women, and women defending themselves in a way that doesnt get themselves killed, are pathetic losers.
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Top performances in an intentionally ambiguous BUSINESS OF STRANGERS
Added 12/24/2007
STOP HERE and simply read Jeff Shannon's review for Amazon.com.He says it best, so I cannot improve.I can only add.
THE BUSINESS OF STRANGERS is a rich,rich,rich character study that is so ambiguous,that even at the end of this 84 minute thriller/comedy there can be an abundance of possible interpretations,and I dare say that they would all be viable.This film can be viewed over and over again for it's three wonderful and exacting performances from Stockard Channing, Julia Stiles and Frederick Weller (whom I had the pleasure to meet in NYC after his Tony-nominated performance in TAKE ME OUT in '03).In addition, the screenplay and direction of Patrick Stettner is that of a seasoned stage director,allowing the actors to hit their marks and to stay focused on the performances at hand.This is a very intimate film about the struggles and motivations of corporate people and their outward and secret lives.Only Stockard Channing's Julie has any kind of "epiphany".The other two,Paula and Nick....who knows,because that IS the business of strangers.The film builds very slowly and always a little off kilter to keep the viewer guessing where things are heading....very cat and mouse! FASCINATING and at a great price for an evening of fine acting and entertainment.
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Ladykillers beware! :)
Added 12/9/2007
Poignant tale of two eager women; one has passed her prime and bears the scares of the still male dominated business world of the early new millennium is aggressively portrayed to a 'T' (as in Tenacious) by Stockard Channing who is chillingly ruthless from frame to frame. The other younger, equally crafty, as well as wickedly sly woman is played by Julia Stiles who no doubt is cast by design to steal the glances of the male audience as well as opposite genders in this story of destructive payback.
Stiles' character is manipulatively calculating as she subtly unfolds a selfish plan to map a path to own success yet who's comeuppance could inevitably be in her near future at the hands of her adversary's lofty rank... or possibly visa-versa given that both become disillusioned by the cardinal sins of greed, envy and last but certainly not least, lust. Gets off the track a bit with the man-humiliation angle which may have went a bit to far but both Channing is stellar and Stiles is something to be reckoned with in this picture in more ways than one as both should be duly commended for their outstanding performances. Comparisons to Neil LaBute's powerful 1997 'In the Company of Men' are inevitable but still stands well on its own.
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Psychological think piece
Added 12/2/2008
Two women cross paths on the business trail, one young and one older. They clash, then reunite, then get into each others' business over a male who is an alleged rapist. Some great acting here and some nice moodiness in the film-making. It's got some elements of 'The Office,' with a darker twist. The ambiguous ending is a nice touch. Watch.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Lame Film
Added 7/20/2008
Very predictable with lame screenplay. Disappointing film for such fine actresses. Would NEVER recommend. Just awful, in spite of the cast. Vendor did a great job on getting the product, as promised, to me. Would recommend the vendor, not the film.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Other reviews missed a crucial point
Added 4/18/2008
Most other reviews on this site missed a major point of the film: in the end, it didnt matter whether or not Nick, the male character, raped Paula or any friend of hers. It is decided (by the filmmaker, via Channing's character) that based on the fact that he's a man, and has a smarmy personality to boot, he most likely raped some woman at some time -- and so deserved everything he got, if not more. This is a radical point for a movie to make, and compares only to Mamet's House of Games for a similar theme. I understand the comparison's to In the Company of Men, but in that movie the man who has been lied to by his "friend" is enraged at the betrayal, and pathetically yet controllingly begging his girlfriend to take him back. People who dont realize the difference between men attacking and explointing women, and women defending themselves in a way that doesnt get themselves killed, are pathetic losers.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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