In Good Company

Perhaps it's because "In Good Company" is so loaded with potential that I left two hours later feeling so disappointed. What had the possibility of being a great comedy, while trying to be a dramedy, struggles at both.

Dennis Quaid stars as Dan Foreman, an aging sales executive whose company is bought out by a mega-corporation who send in their own people to improve business. Enter Carter Duryea (Topher Grace), the young up-and-comer who, at half of Foreman's age, is sent to take over the helm and increase ad sales. While this does not sit well at all with Dan, he has no choice but to accept the situation as his eldest daughter is off to NYU and his wife learns she's pregnant. The job is a necessity. Meanwhile, as Carter's professional life seems to be taking off, his personal life falters when his wife of 7 months divorces him and he realizes his job is all he really has as a life.

Professionally, Carter comes to rely heavily on Dan for advice and direction. He reliance is increased on the personal level as Carter yearns for the kind of family situation that Dan lives on a daily basis. This also introduces Dan's daughter Alex (Scarlett Johansson) into Carter's life where a relationship instantly starts. Dan now has to come to terms with Carter as his boss and as the older guy dating his daughter.

All of this could have been played out as a solid comedy, especially with the talented cast. Quaid and Grace play well off each other, with Grace demonstrating that he has learned quite a bit during his time on "That 70's Show". He and Johansson also work well together, until we become aware that at 26 he's dating a college freshman.

Just when I thought a sappy, feel-good ending would adjust my attitude toward "In Good Company" the payoff never comes. Dan's life is the only one that is somewhat resolved, and I really could not tell you what the moral to the story was. Overall, this "Company" was more disappointing than it was good. I give it a B-.

"In Good Company" is rated PG-13 with a running time of 1 hour and 50 minutes.