In Good Company *** (2004, Dennis Quaid, Topher Grace, Scarlett Johansson) – Classic Movie Review 762

After a corporate takeover and company ‘restructuring’, young hotshot Carter (Topher Grace) replaces talented 50-year-old sports magazine ad exec madman Dan (Dennis Quaid) but decides to keep him on as his number two to help out in the new job.

Initially furious that he’s ousted by a man half his age, Dan, who has two teenage daughters, later decides to suck it up and work for Carter. But then, first Quaid’s wife Ann (Marg Helgenburger) gets pregnant again and next he discovers that his older daughter Alex (Scarlett Johansson) has seduced his handsome new 26-year-old boss whose wife has just left him. To be fair to Carter, when he meets the cute and alluring Alex, he doesn’t know she is Dan’s daughter.

With a rousing turn by Quaid, and a very amusing one by Grace, both appealing performers, we really are in good company with this smart, clever and often funny 2004 comedy drama. It’s written and directed with much skill in both departments by Paul Weitz (American Pie, About a Boy).

The women have a lot less to do, but the also appealing Helgenburger and Johansson do it well.

© Derek Winnert 2014 Classic Movie Review 762

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