Amy Adler
Ry (Neve Campbell) is a dancer for the Chicago Joffrey Ballet, run by Alberto (Malcolm McDowell). She is a very committed hoofer, even to continuing a performance during a thunderstorm! But, alas, she learns that her boyfriend, also a dancer for the troupe, has been cheating on her. The creep! Life in the company is very difficult, at times, for Albeto is most demanding and folks can be cut from the group on a minute's notice. Injuries, too, can rear their ugly heads. Fortunately, Ry acquires a handsome new boyfriend, a chef (James Franco) and works very hard on the new production, a modern revue which starts with a costumed snake! Will it be successful? If you don't like either dance or Altman, you should probably not keep company with this film. It is a rather difficult watch, almost like a reality show but one where everything is not spelled out. For example, we see Ry at a bridal shower in a local eatery and, in the background, is a chef that will become her new love. But, we never see the two of them meet. The next time we glimpse either of them, they are already a couple. This will please some folks, who like the unusual, and confuse others. The dancing is very modern, so don't expect Swan Lake as well. Most of the dance numbers, very well done, involve an absence of sets at all. They rely on various changes of lighting, mostly, and we see it as on stage and off, where it is blinding. The acting is good but sometimes subordinate to the style of the film. Franco, for one, remains a stranger we would like to know better. That said, if you like ballet and you also adore movies that stand out from the rest, get The Company. Its unique qualities and fabulous numbers make it very worthwhile for discriminating filmgoers.
wes-connors
This documentary-styled film was made with the cooperation of Chicago's famed Joffrey Ballet. "Legendary director," alerts the DVD sleeve, "Robert Altman takes us into the world of the dancers whose professional and personal lives clash as they cope with the demands of a life in the ballet. Neve Campbell plays a gifted but conflicted company member on the verge of becoming a principal dancer at a fictional Chicago troupe," and, "James Franco co-stars as Campbell's boyfriend, a master chef who provides romance and refuge from the watchful eye of the pompous artistic director played by Malcolm McDowell." "The Company" is filled with nicely shot ballets, directed by Mr. Altman. It's difficult to say much about the film without being completely subjective. It's a beautiful production, and may appeal to viewers interested in the ballet. I found it too pretty to reveal much about the trials and tribulations it covers. There is some good emotion conveyed, for example, when a dancer is asked to leave the group; but, generally, there is no real grit given to the characters. Stuff happens, sacrifices are shown, and people work hard; but, their lives are not very interesting, especially when compared to other stories about the ballet.***** The Company (9/8/03) Robert Altman ~ Neve Campbell, Malcolm McDowell, James Franco, Barbara Robertson
eelwheelies
I didn't hate this movie like I thought I would since I am not into dancing. The camera movements ala Robert Altman in his signature always-moving camera style was nice and the flow was nice and I loved Malcom McDowell because most of the film was him ad-libbing (or what seemed like ad-libbing). But what bugged me is certain characters that came to nothing. One young dancer who is broke and ends up sleeping in an apartment where several other dancers have to sleep, and the girl who owns the apartment who is searching for the condom (who is the same actresses who plays the character who hangs out with Chris Penn at the end of SHORT CUTS). Also the character of "Justin", who is fired from the troupe at one point. And a couple dancers who are injured and then passed up. These characters were introduced but nothing came of them. I felt that this movie should have had some competition involved and brought to the forefront. Or something other than beautiful camera angles and Malcom McDowell lecturing people. I mean, I liked those two things about the film and all, but... It just needed some kind of edge. Or perhaps the point was to have no edge at all, and just a smooth, curvy surface. Well, it did have that. It looked fine, but there was little pay-off. And the character development didn't exist at all; except for McDowell's character, who is developed already. But that's just because he is a fine actor, and not in enough films where he can strut his stuff, which he does here... a whole lot. So if you are a McDowell fan, or a fan of Robert Altman's camera movements - and of dancing in general - then this is for you. Just don't expect much else, and you won't be disappointed.
Pookyiscute
I was pleasantly surprised with this piece. It was not at all how I had expected it, and was remarkably taken aback, by how brilliantly executed the entire film really was.Neve Campbell, though I'm not a fan, did not add as much to the film as one might expect. It's not focused primarily on her, though she is the star, which is why the film might actually work as well as it does. Some might find it slow, yet I found it to be just the right pace, with just enough romance behind it in the background, to keep you watching.The greatest thing that the film offers, after the fact that it is brilliantly and beautifully filmed, is that it allows the audience to be involved in everything that's going on. It makes you feel as though you're apart of the group, or rather 'The Company'. It's an exceptionally good film, and while there are moments, that do tend to focus almost too much on the dancing sequences, that is after all what this film is all about. Dancing. And more to the point, ballet.James Franco is cute as usual, and although his presence certainly doesn't go unnoticed, he as well as Campbell are mere puppets in the director's film, rather than making you actually feel like they're real characters. Although, I did sense a nice chemistry between the two of them, it still would have been better with more well known, and accomplished actors.If you're not into ballet, this is not a film you are going to like or be excited about. Obviously don't watch it. Basically, it's about dancing, and the company that these people work for. Nothing more or less. If you're looking for a romance, go check out 'Sleepless in Seattle', because this is a dancing movie. The romance part is just on the side.However, if you like realistic films, that make you feel apart of the characters' (in this case dancers') lives, then this is your film.Very good, and pleasantly surprising. Though, it is just a one time watch.
AD
