David O'ConnellA small gem: The Business of Strangers
May 8th 2008 06:10
This is a really interesting little film about the relationship forged between two women of different generations and the murky moral path one stunning revelation leads them down.
But is the motivation revenge or cruelty?
Julie (Stockard Channing) is an important businesswoman who fires Paula (Julia Stiles), a lowly secretary of some sort, on the spot for turning up late to an interstate meeting. As fate would have it, because of bad weather and flight delays, they meet again at an airport hotel where they're forced to spend the night.
The film's first half details their developing friendship under these strange circumstances; both are reluctant and wary at first but both are fascinated by the other as they slowly open up and reveal more about one another.
Into their midst enters Nick (Fred Weller), a headhunter for another firm, who Paula later reveals, to the shock of Julie, raped her at a party a few years ago when she lived in a different city. Nick, in his increasingly inebriated state, seems to have no recognition of her at all but falls under her charm nonetheless.
Paula is outraged and together they concoct a ritual humiliation of sorts for Nick, plying him with a lot more alcohol, and then degrading him physically in many ways, mostly with him in a semi- or unconscious state.
The two lead roles at the heart of this film are first-rate. Julia Stiles as the hip, carefree, and acid-tongued Paula who sets the degradation in motion, has never been better. She commands the screen in what is easily her most mature performance, but is easily matched by the always great Stockard Channing who plays her role as the wearied, ruthless but likeable executive to perfection. She feels reluctance as they continue the humiliation and take it to greater extremes but is pulled along by the strengthening force of Stiles' character and the fascinating emotional powerplay between the two women makes for uncomfortable viewing at times.
After all, just how far is too far?
And do they have the right to dispense this kind of justice on their own?
Weller, as their foil, gives a good performance too, unsettled by becoming the focus of the women's attention, and the effect of the booze doesn't exactly help to straighten out his failing perceptions either!
I've seen this film a couple of times now, and enjoyed it just as much the second time around. I found myself so easily drawn in by the natural and very believable direction that this relationship takes between two very contrasting women of such different ages. And for much of the time never doubted the reliability of Paula's story.
A whole slew of interesting issues are raised about the battle of the sexes and what either would do under these circumstances. It's a fascinating film on many levels.
Writer/director Patrick Stettner has a twist for us though in the final scene which gives us an entirely different perspective on the whole film and some people might see it as a disconcerting stunt of sorts.
This was Stettner's feature debut and he's since gone on to make another fascinating small gem, The Night Listener, a creepy little film with Toni Collette and Robin Williams.
But is the motivation revenge or cruelty?
Julie (Stockard Channing) is an important businesswoman who fires Paula (Julia Stiles), a lowly secretary of some sort, on the spot for turning up late to an interstate meeting. As fate would have it, because of bad weather and flight delays, they meet again at an airport hotel where they're forced to spend the night.
The film's first half details their developing friendship under these strange circumstances; both are reluctant and wary at first but both are fascinated by the other as they slowly open up and reveal more about one another.
Into their midst enters Nick (Fred Weller), a headhunter for another firm, who Paula later reveals, to the shock of Julie, raped her at a party a few years ago when she lived in a different city. Nick, in his increasingly inebriated state, seems to have no recognition of her at all but falls under her charm nonetheless.
Paula is outraged and together they concoct a ritual humiliation of sorts for Nick, plying him with a lot more alcohol, and then degrading him physically in many ways, mostly with him in a semi- or unconscious state.
The two lead roles at the heart of this film are first-rate. Julia Stiles as the hip, carefree, and acid-tongued Paula who sets the degradation in motion, has never been better. She commands the screen in what is easily her most mature performance, but is easily matched by the always great Stockard Channing who plays her role as the wearied, ruthless but likeable executive to perfection. She feels reluctance as they continue the humiliation and take it to greater extremes but is pulled along by the strengthening force of Stiles' character and the fascinating emotional powerplay between the two women makes for uncomfortable viewing at times.
After all, just how far is too far?
And do they have the right to dispense this kind of justice on their own?
Julia Stiles in her most mature performance
Weller, as their foil, gives a good performance too, unsettled by becoming the focus of the women's attention, and the effect of the booze doesn't exactly help to straighten out his failing perceptions either!
I've seen this film a couple of times now, and enjoyed it just as much the second time around. I found myself so easily drawn in by the natural and very believable direction that this relationship takes between two very contrasting women of such different ages. And for much of the time never doubted the reliability of Paula's story.
A whole slew of interesting issues are raised about the battle of the sexes and what either would do under these circumstances. It's a fascinating film on many levels.
Writer/director Patrick Stettner has a twist for us though in the final scene which gives us an entirely different perspective on the whole film and some people might see it as a disconcerting stunt of sorts.
This was Stettner's feature debut and he's since gone on to make another fascinating small gem, The Night Listener, a creepy little film with Toni Collette and Robin Williams.
Stockard Channing
The women close in on poor Nick!
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Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Great review. I liked The Business of Strangers and thought Stockard Channing was amazing in it. An intriguing script that plays out like theatre.
I hate Julia Stiles normally but this is the one film of hers that I enjoy. A great low key selection mate.
Comment by David O'Connell
Screen Fanatic
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
I have watched Julia Stiles grow since her "school days" in '10 things I hate about you' and I like where she is headed... I will watch this film purely becuase I like her and your review of her 'mature' performance.
Besides I think the premise of this film is rather interesting in its simple complexity.
Thanks for the interesting review.
Lilla ...