IN GOOD COMPANY written and directed by Paul Weitz, produced by Weitz and Chris Weitz, with Dennis Quaid, Topher Grace and Scarlett Johansson. 105 minutes. A Universal release. Opens Friday (December 17). Rating: NNN
There are at least two juicy movies lurking within In Good Company. One gives Scarlett Johansson’s character more brains and fewer scruples and lets her twist the plot. The other gives in to the movie’s secret agenda and lets her get it on with the leathery Dennis Quaid. As it stands, though, this is a mild family heartwarmer, a slide down the saccharine stick for Paul Weitz, director of About A Boy.
Quaid is an aging ad salesman whose high principles get mussed when Topher Grace shows up as his caffeinated new boss. To add insult to castration, Grace starts dating his daughter (Johansson). The premise is promising, and all three leads charm like bunnies, but the result is still cold latte.
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