The Company You Keep (2012)
Robert Redford directs and co-stars in this interesting adult thriller which dramatizes the unmasking of a member of the Weather Underground (a violent faction of the Students for a Democratic Society - SDS) from the late 1960s/early 1970s, and his subsequent fugitive journey. Another prior member has been arrested, but refuses to finger co-conspirators; while other participants have either stayed hidden in plain sight, or continue to remain underground.
A pesky cub reporter has happened onto the story, and keeps digging until he discovers the likely intentions of Redford's fugitive. Both he and the FBI become hot onto Redford's trail.
The film boasts an all-star veteran cast in addition to Redford: Susan Sarandon, Chris Cooper, Nick Nolte, Julie Christie, Brendan Gleeson, Stanley Tucci, Richard Jenkins and Sam Elliot. Shia Labeouf plays the reporter. There is fine work by Brit Marling and Anna Kendrick.
Redford provides some good direction on a screenplay by Lem Dobbs, from the novel by Neil Gordon. It's pleasing to enjoy a classic style story based thriller without the trite trappings of gore, kink, gratuitous language or sex. There's an underlying sympathy with the '60s underground movement for sure, but it doesn't attempt to superimpose its sentiments on contemporary society.
The picture was a tad muddled in its expression which must be laid at the feet of the screenplay. There was good intrigue with the reporter's investigation, and the action had elements of
All the President's Men. But the contrasting elements were more like
Three Days of the Condor, and if felt as though they couldn't decide on which it would rather be. The investigation line was more interesting than was the fugitive portion.
Not to give away the plot, but it was also implausible that a key character of a certain ilk would entertain the idea of giving herself up in order to save and innocent man.
Still, the picture is very watchable, and holds one's attention through the efforts of this veteran production.
Doc's rating: 6/10