In Good Company (2.5/4 stars)

Sure, I'll admit it, I picked this out of the DVD stack just because of Scarlett Johansson. She's been one of the few actresses who's had the ability to keep me entranced, not because she's hot (that's Jessica Alba) but because she seems to be the kind of girl that I'd like to go out with if I was in that stage of life. Ever since Lost in Translation, I've been an admirer, and she has the ability to make a mundane film light up. Yeah, I should search out "A Love Song for Bobby Long." Anyway, we have In Good Company.



I like romcoms (romantic comedies) and this seemed every bit like one. The director and producer, Paul Weitz, was responsible for About A Boy, which as ok-not-great in the pantheon of romcoms. But that had Julia Roberts, and this has Scarlett. Topher Grace, minus. Dennis Quaid, plus.

Anyway, Quaid is a crusty, grizzled sales exec whose company is bought by Grace's, and Grace becomes his boss. Grace is a marketing hotshot who isn't as smart as he thinks he is. Scarlett is Quaid's daughter. Grace meets Scarlett, and they start going out. This is all until Quaid finds out. Of course he doesn't like it. This situation is exacerbated by the takeover fizzling out.

Scarlett is radiant, as always, but the role doesn't challenge her one bit and it's all very laid back. Quaid has his moments, as he always does. Grace is forgettable. There are no real sparks between Grace and Scarlett, and as a romance, it's nothing to write home about. However, In Good Company does enough to get you through its close to two hour running time without getting too impatient. Not bad. 2.5 stars, but I think that 0.5 extra is just for having Scarlett.