By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 1.5 cats
Director: Robert Altman
Starring: Barbara E. Robertson | James Franco | Malcolm McDowell | Neve Campbell | Susie Cusack | William Dick
Country: germany, united_states
Year: 2004
Running time: 112
IMDB: http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0335013/combined
Bruce says: “THE COMPANY is a difficult film to classify because it isn’t much of anything. Robert Altman loves tackling complicated scenarios. One would think a peek-a-boo film about what goes on behind the scenes at a dance company would be right up his alley. The problem is that he has no script here, just some vignettes that were created as a result of Neve Campbell and Barbara Turner, her writing partner, interviewing the dancers in the Chicago Joffrey Ballet. Forty five of the actors in the film are actually dancers. Some directors work brilliantly with non-actors. Presumably Altman is not one of them.
“The opening sequence in THE COMPANY is the Joffrey’s ‘Tinsel Involvement’ a ballet several decades old featuring bright streamers and dancers on a black background. This particular dance has no part in the story. The closing sequence, a dazzling ballet called ‘The Blue Snake,’ is the final product of what we first see as a harebrained idea in a choreographer’s mind. Throughout the film we watch this ballet being developed. As it evolves we are given great insight into the creative process.
“The idea of the film – according to Altman – is to document a season in the life of a dance company, showing what happens on and off stage at the ballet. At the morning practices and afternoon rehearsals we see petty arguments, soaring egos and heartbreaking injuries. There is more than enough material for developing a stronger story line with some juicy subplots. Ry (Neve Campbell), a trained dancer, plays the girl in the troupe who seems destined for her big break. The Joffrey does not have
stars so a big break means getting to dance more – a solo here and there – not achieve world fame. Life in the troupe is not glamorous. Nor is the personal life of an aspiring ballerina, as we learn. Ry works as a barmaid in a club in order to make ends meet. Her boyfriend (James Franco) is a chef. Their life together is simple and mundane.
“Malcolm McDowell as the troop’s impresario is given the most scenery to chew and he fulfills his role ably. He is self-involved, rude when he wants to be, condescending even when he doesn’t want to be, and intoxicated by the power he wields.
“What I enjoyed most about the film were the dance sequences. If only I watched television, I probably could see quite similar ballets on PBS. If you want to see a dramatic film about ballet, check out the melodramatic THE TURNING POINT or the classic THE RED SHOES. THE COMPANY, in spite of having some poignant moments, isn’t worth the time. 2.5 cats”
Barbara says: “I have to agree with Bruce’s earlier review of this film. Other than a couple of the dance sequences there was not much too it. Malcolm McDowell was over the top and Neve Campbell and James Franco were not impressive in the least. 2 cats”
Jane says: “THE COMPANY was pretty awful in my estimation. No character development, just situations playing out in often unrealistic ways. (Why did Neve’s character have to waitress, yet had a pretty fabulous apartment? Yeah, it was by the L, but it had a whirlpool, for God’s sake!) The final dance should have been set up to be a disaster, not a success – who are they kidding with that snake garbage?! And Neve falls and breaks whatever it is she broke, yet seems pretty blase about the whole thing….shouldn’t she have been devastated?
“Malcolm McDowell was fun but the roll was such a caricature. It was interesting watching the rehearsal process and the talented dancers, but as a whole the film was a wasted opportunity. Altman once again proved he is incredibly erratic. He vacillates between making brilliant and mundane films.”
Michael says: “Don’t get me started in THE COMPANY. We saw this film as the closing night entry at the High Falls Film Festival, and I was really underwhelmed. Sure the dancing was nice, but I would have rather watched an actual dance performance than have it chopped up by that lame non-story. Obviously Neve Campbell just wanted to show that she could dance. And why have Malcolm McDowell play the choreographer/director when everyone else was a real dancer? They should have just used a non-actor. 1 cat”