In the Company of Men

1997 Drama

Two frustrated young executives vent their pent-up rage via a childish prank and end up paying a price in this psychological black comedy, the feature-film debut of writer-director Neil LaBute. Former college buddies Chad (Aaron Eckhart) and Howard (Matt Malloy) are in their early 30s and work in the same company. One day the two encounter each other in the men's executive washroom and begin expressing their mutual frustration regarding their lack of rapid advancement at work and their most recent bad luck with women. In hopes of gaining revenge against the fairer sex and bolstering their battered egos, the two hatch a nasty scheme to be enacted over an upcoming six-week-long business trip: Find a vulnerable young woman to court, slather with affection, and then callously dump. They choose a lovely, hearing-impaired typist named Christine (Stacey Edwards), a woman who hasn't dated in many years. Not realizing that she is about to be the metaphorical mouse between a pair of hungry cats, she laps up the sudden attention, but in no time it becomes apparent that Chad is the man she prefers. When Howard discovers this, it creates escalating tension between the two men who begin playing more psychological games, not only with hapless Christine, but also with each other. more..

Director: Neil LaBute

Starring: Aaron Eckhart, Stacy Edwards, Matt Malloy,Michael Martin

Reviews

  • What is remarkable is how realistic the story is.

    Roger Ebert - The Chicago Sun-Times

    26 April 2013

  • Stunning, unsettling, beautifully written drama.

    Lisa Schwarzbaum - Entertainment Weekly

    26 April 2013

  • As disturbing as it is well-made, this low-budget indie is a thoroughly original piece of work.

    Marjorie Baumgarten - Austin Chronicle

    26 April 2013

  • Tersely written and compellingly acted. But its controversial subject matter may make a lot of viewers so angry that the film's strong points will be disregarded.

    - The San Francisco Chronicle

    26 April 2013

  • A provocative dissection of human dynamics.

    Mike Clark - USA Today

    26 April 2013

Awards

  • Most Promising Actor

    Chicago Film Critics Association Awards (1998)

     
  • Neil LaBute

    Deauville Film Festival (1997)

  • Neil LaBute

    Edinburgh International Film Festival (1997)

  • Best Debut Performance

    Independent Spirit Awards (1998)

  • National Board of Review (1997)