Companion
Companion is playing in theaters at the time of writing. Rated R. Common Sense says 16+.
A billionaire's death sets off a chain of events for Iris (Sophie Thatcher), her boyfriend (Jack Quaid), and her friends during a weekend trip to his lakeside estate.
Disclaimer:
This is half a review. More accurately, it’s a full review of half the movie.
I was halfway through the movie, sat comfortably deep back in my recliner, popcorn debris pooled across my hoodie when I got a call that my son was sick and I needed to pick him up from school early (he’s fine).
I figured I’d bag the review. But then I thought, why? This is the 21st century. Between our phones, the thousands of streaming options at our fingertips, and coughing sniffling children, it’s actually more uncommon to get through an entire film uninterrupted.
I decided not to deny myself the rare experience of reviewing half a movie. I hope it’s helpful, and I hope you read the whole thing.
STORY: B-
A B-movie plot that gives you a little something to think about.
The summary above (largely scribbed from its IMDb page) purposely doesn’t do the plot justice. It’s best if that’s all you know about the film going in.
The story actually provides some pretty interesting and timely themes to explore. But they’re the equivalent of a super healthy secret menu item at a greasy fast food joint. Sure, you could order it, but who are we kidding? We’re all here for the comfort food.
PEOPLE: B
The cast knows you’re watching.
Authentic, grounded performances can’t show any awareness of their audience. They must create fully realized characters who exist in fully realized worlds where the audience isn’t just invisible. It’s completely absent.
Companion’s performances are not like those. And that is not to say they’re not great.
Here, the audience is taken into account, not unlike the way a stand-up comic is fully aware of their audience. Thatcher and Quaid and the rest of the cast figuratively take the audience’s willing hands in theirs, thrilled that we’re all on this crazy trip together.
FILM NERD STUFF: A-
An unflashy, impressive feat of direction.
Drew Hancock’s direction isn’t groundbreaking. It isn’t stuffed with innovative, signature flourishes. But his keen ability to keep every person and element of the film vibrating on the same frequency is largely what makes this film stand tall above its peers.
ONE BIG LESSON: (INCOMPLETE)
Why so serious?
Since I didn’t get to finish the film, I can’t say for certain what insight it’s communicating about the human condition.
My guess is that Companion could not care less about whatever message you take from it. It just wants you to have a good time.
FINAL COMMENTS:
Companion is like a very specific type of class clown. The one who performs the same ol’ predictable bits day after day, yet is also capable of dropping the occasional comment that reveals a glimmer of intelligence chilling out behind the goofy smile.
There’s smarts in there, but like the clown, Companion doesn’t seem interested in them. The film is comfortable with who it is. It’s confident in its ability to connect with you. It’s a ball.
I look very forward to seeing the second half of this movie someday.