The Company You Keep Review
The Company You Keep
Directed by: Robert Redford
Written by: Lem Dobbs (screenplay) and Neil Gordon (novel)
Starring: Robert Redford, Shia LaBeouf, Susan Sarandon, Nick Nolte, Stanley Tucci, Richard Jenkins, Julie Christie, Chris Cooper, Sam Elliot, Terrence Howard, Anna Kendrick, Brit Marling and Brendan Gleeson
The Company You Keep has an impeccable cast, a solid director and a potentially intriguing premise. So why the hell is it so bland? Robert Redford (who also directs) plays Jim Grant, an attorney who used to belong to a Vietnam era domestic terrorist group dubbed The Weather Underground. The members have dispersed and settled into relative anonymity. However, they are wanted fugitives for a murder that occurred during a bank heist years ago. When one of the members (Susan Sarandon) turns herself in, the others find themselves scrambling to elude detection.
A scrappy newspaper reporter (Shia LaBeouf) manages to outmaneuver the FBI and uncovers the true identities of several of the fugitives. Consequently, Jim finds himself on the run while trying to prove his innocence in the murder. While on the lam, Jim reconnects with several of his former associates played by Nick Nolte, Julie Christie and Richard Jenkins. Chris Cooper makes an appearance as Jim’s brother who takes guardianship of Jim’s daughter during his absence.
The Company You Keep never takes full advantage of the talent at hand. The usually terrific Brit Marling is relegated to a measly role, and Stanley Tucci, Sam Elliot and Terrence Howard barely register a blip on the radar screen. It’s a shame that these actors have little to do.
The other glaring problem with the film is a plodding, dull storyline. It might be unfair to compare it to other films, but The Debt (2010) handled similar subject matter in a much more deft manner. There’s little if any tension in Company, making it a real chore to sit through. Further complicating things is Redford casting himself as the father of a young girl. I hate to harp on his age, but he’s completely implausible in the role.
There’s also the issue of relevance. It’s hard to care about a group of radical terrorists from forty years ago when we have the increasing threat of real terror looking us straight in the eye. Recent events in Boston render this story meaningless. Company fails to compel on any level. One bright spot-this is LaBeouf’s finest performance to date. — Shannon
