Business of Strangers

Pros: Channing and Stiles turn in great performances.
Cons: But the script writer didn't.

It's sad when a movie has a decent premise and two terrific actresses, but fails so miserably. That's what happens with The Business of Strangers. Two business women staying overnight in a hotel bond over a few drinks and become fast friends. ...

Pros: Isolated bits of good acting
Cons: Main character does not behave realistically, scanty development of all characters

The "Business of Strangers" is a day-in-the-life type movie about Julie Styron (Stockard Channing). Julie is an on the go, cell phone talking, presentation giving wheeled suitcase using business woman. It's not altogether clear what that business is,...

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When I first started watching this movie I thought, well here is a situation I’ll never have to worry about - having the CEO of the company calling me for an unannounced dinner meeting. Naturally Stockard Channing’s first thoughts were - Oh ...

Pros: None.
Cons: Lame, unoriginal, unintelligent film.

I saw this film over the weekend, at a theatre that is usually reputed for showing intelligent, non-Hollywood type films. We had previously heard nothing about any of the films being shown at this particular theatre this past weekend, and decided since...

Pros: Good Acting, Interesting moments
Cons: Transparent and underserved

Stockard Channing plays an overworked business executive who runs into Julia Stiles, assigned as a temp personal assistant on a major project. Together they try to make sense of their lives and relationships.

Initially as I was watching The...

Pros: A witty, quality sleeper of a movie. Nuance, mood, and lean writing.
Cons: If you need 'feel good' movies, forget it. It's as warm as an iron gate.

This is a fairly intellectual movie in that it needs no graphic sex, murder or car chases. It involves two character types. Stockard Channing is a kick-butt business woman with no friends and not much else going for her. She's been exalted and beaten down in a male-dominated business world. She's hardly a mean person, but she's all about business. Before much dialogue, the cold tone is set. I appreciate when the mood has a purpose beyond art or showing off.

Julia Stiles plays Channing's assistant. Aside from her job, she enjoys writing... non-fiction writing to be exact. Throughout their exchange, Stiles plays with Channing's mind, instigates and eggs her on.

This movie was somewhat of a sleeper as it is not the 'happily ever after' type of movie that Americans so need and love. Whereas I don't particularly like or dislike cold movies, I like them genuine. 'Happily ever after' wouldn't have been true to the movie.

Very well done and the ending fits the movie.