Bad Company (1995 film): Difference between revisions
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{{distinguish|Bad Company (2002 film)}} |
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{{Infobox film |
{{Infobox film |
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| name = Bad Company |
| name = Bad Company |
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| image = Bad companyposter.jpg |
| image = Bad companyposter.jpg |
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| caption = Promotional poster |
| caption = Promotional poster |
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| director = [[Damian Harris]] |
| director = [[Damian Harris]] |
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| producer = [[Jeffrey Chernov]]<br>Amedeo Ursini |
| producer = [[Jeffrey Chernov]]<br>Amedeo Ursini |
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| writer = [[Ross Thomas (author)|Ross Thomas]] |
| writer = [[Ross Thomas (author)|Ross Thomas]] |
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| starring = {{Plainlist| |
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| starring = [[Ellen Barkin]]<br>[[Laurence Fishburne]]<br>[[Frank Langella]]<br>[[David Ogden Stiers]]<br>[[Michael Murphy (actor)|Michael Murphy]] |
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* [[Ellen Barkin]] |
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* [[Laurence Fishburne]] |
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* [[Frank Langella]] |
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* [[Michael Beach]] |
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* [[David Ogden Stiers]]}} |
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| cinematography = [[Jack N. Green]] |
| cinematography = [[Jack N. Green]] |
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| editing = Stuart H. Pappé |
| editing = Stuart H. Pappé |
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| studio = [[Touchstone Pictures]] |
| studio = [[Touchstone Pictures]] |
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| distributor = [[ |
| distributor = [[Buena Vista Pictures Distribution]] |
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| released = {{Film date|1995|1|20}} |
| released = {{Film date|1995|1|20}} |
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| runtime = 108 minutes |
| runtime = 108 minutes |
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| gross = $3,674,841 |
| gross = $3,674,841 |
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}} |
}} |
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'''''Bad Company''''' is a 1995 |
'''''Bad Company''''' is a 1995 American [[neo-noir]] [[thriller (genre)|thriller]] film directed by [[Damian Harris]] and written by [[Ross Thomas (author)|Ross Thomas]]. |
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⚫ | The film stars [[Ellen Barkin]] and [[Laurence Fishburne]] as former CIA operatives engaging in a dubious romance while plotting to murder their boss, played by [[Frank Langella]], and take over his firm, which specializes in blackmail and [[corporate espionage]]. The film grossed $3.6 million in a [[limited theatrical release]] in the United States and drew mostly negative reviews from critics, but the film enjoyed lucrative success in the [[home video]] market.<ref>{{cite journal |last=McCourt |first=Judith |title=THE TOP 50 TURNS-PER-COPY TITLES 1992-1997 |journal=[[Video Store Magazine]] |volume=|issue=|date=12 July 1998|pages=20}}</ref> |
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⚫ | |||
==Plot== |
==Plot== |
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⚫ | In [[Seattle]], former [[CIA]] agent Nelson Crowe is hired by Vic Grimes for a position with his company nicknamed "The Toolshed." Grimes' firm employs people with [[intelligence service]] backgrounds to sell their talents with regard to [[extortion]] and corporate espionage to domestic and foreign corporations. Grimes' second in command, Margaret Wells, begins working with Crowe and seduces him, enticing him with a plot to murder Grimes so they can take over the firm. |
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⚫ | The Toolshed's top client, Curl Industries, is being sued in a [[class action lawsuit]] in a case currently on appeal at the [[Washington State Supreme Court]]. Curl Industries is accused of poisoning the water supply to a small town, resulting in the birth of disabled children. Grimes gives Crowe $1 million to bribe one of the justices, Justin Beach, into swinging the verdict in favor of Curl Industries. |
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⚫ | |||
⚫ | Crowe and Toolshed operative Todd Stapp buy Justice Beach's $25,000 gambling debt from [[bookmaker]] Bobby Birdsong and pay for information on Beach's personal life from his friend, Les Goodwin. During a secret progress report meeting, Crowe is revealed to in fact be a [[mole (espionage)|mole]] for the CIA, albeit against his will. Crowe was dismissed from the agency on suspicion of stealing a $50,000 bribe meant for an Iraqi colonel. |
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⚫ | The Toolshed's top client, Curl Industries, is being sued in a [[class action lawsuit]] in a case currently on appeal at the Washington |
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⚫ | Crowe's former boss, William "Smitty" Smithfield, is threatening prison time or the disappearance of the bribe as leverage to get Crowe to infiltrate the Toolshed. The CIA intends to acquire the firm and use it as a [[black operations]] hub with Smitty in charge. During the meeting, as he turns over the $1 million bribe money for inspection, Crowe secretly records his conversation with Smitty, who also forces him to sign a receipt. Stapp later discovers Crowe's secret objective and extorts a payoff from Smitty to remain silent about it. |
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⚫ | Crowe and Toolshed operative Todd Stapp |
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⚫ | Beach accepts the $1 million bribe delivered by Crowe. He and his mistress Julie Ames sign a receipt to ensure Beach's cooperation. Beach buys tickets for a flight to the [[Caribbean]] and sends Julie ahead with the money, telling her he intends to leave his wife and join her. After reneging on his agreement and voting against Curl Industries, Beach commits suicide. |
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⚫ | Crowe's former boss, William "Smitty" Smithfield |
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⚫ | |||
⚫ | Beach accepts the $1 million bribe delivered by Crowe. He and his mistress Julie Ames |
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⚫ | Wells and Crowe then take over the Toolshed, though Wells now rebuffs Crowe's affections towards her, having used him to get what she wanted. Upon hearing of her lover's death, Julie travels to Europe, sending Goodwin postcards telling him how she's enjoying spending the $1 million. Goodwin sells this information to Crowe, who takes it to Wells. Wells orders Crowe to find and kill Julie because of her knowledge of the bribe attempt. Smitty confronts Wells in her office at the Toolshed and informs her of the CIA's plan to take over and also of Crowe's involvement in the agency's infiltration. |
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⚫ | Despite the setback caused by Beach's death and his vote, Wells and Crowe continue with their plan to murder Grimes. Wells spends a romantic weekend with Grimes at his fishing cabin |
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⚫ | |||
⚫ | Wells and Crowe then take over the Toolshed, though Wells now rebuffs Crowe's affections towards her, having used him to get what she wanted. Upon hearing of her lover's death, Julie travels to Europe, sending Goodwin postcards telling him how she's enjoying spending the $1 million. Goodwin sells this information to Crowe, who |
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Wells orders Crowe to find and kill Julie because of her knowledge of the bribe attempt. Smitty confronts Wells in her office at the Toolshed and informs her of the CIA's plan to take over and also of Crowe's involvement in the agency's infiltration. |
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⚫ | |||
Julie somehow remains unharmed. As she meticulously picks up her shell casings, she finds Crowe's briefcase containing incriminating evidence, including the tape of his conversations with Smitty and the receipt she and Beach signed. After burning the receipt, Julie mails the tape to the [[U.S. Attorney|U.S. Attorney's office]] to expose the corrupt dealings of both the CIA and the Toolshed. She then leaves town for good, alone. |
Julie somehow remains unharmed. As she meticulously picks up her shell casings, she finds Crowe's briefcase containing incriminating evidence, including the tape of his conversations with Smitty and the receipt she and Beach signed. After burning the receipt, Julie mails the tape to the [[U.S. Attorney|U.S. Attorney's office]] to expose the corrupt dealings of both the CIA and the Toolshed. She then leaves town for good, alone. |
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* [[Daniel Hugh Kelly]] as Les Goodwin |
* [[Daniel Hugh Kelly]] as Les Goodwin |
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* [[Spalding Gray]] as Walter Curl |
* [[Spalding Gray]] as Walter Curl |
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* [[James Hong]] as Bobby |
* [[James Hong]] as Bobby Birdsong |
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* Tegan West as Al |
* [[Tegan West]] as Al |
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* [[Michael Murphy (actor)|Michael Murphy]] as William "Smitty" Smithfield (uncredited) |
* [[Michael Murphy (actor)|Michael Murphy]] as William "Smitty" Smithfield (uncredited) |
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* [[Michelle Beaudoin]] as Wanda |
* [[Michelle Beaudoin]] as Wanda |
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==Critical reception== |
==Critical reception== |
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The film received mostly negative reviews from critics. As of December 30, 2010, the review aggregator [[Rotten Tomatoes]] reported that 27% of critics gave the film positive reviews, based on 11 reviews.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bad Company Movie Reviews, Pictures - Rotten Tomatoes|url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1058955-bad_company/|publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|accessdate=December 30, 2010}}</ref> |
The film received mostly negative reviews from critics. As of December 30, 2010, the review aggregator [[Rotten Tomatoes]] reported that 27% of critics gave the film positive reviews, based on 11 reviews.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bad Company Movie Reviews, Pictures - Rotten Tomatoes|url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1058955-bad_company/|publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|accessdate=December 30, 2010}}</ref> Audiences polled by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film an average grade of "C" on an A+ to F scale.<ref name="CinemaScore">{{cite web |url=https://www.cinemascore.com |title=CinemaScore |work=cinemascore.com}}</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{ |
{{Reflist}} |
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{{ |
{{more citations needed|date=January 2008}} |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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*{{Mojo title|badcompany95|Bad Company}} |
*{{Mojo title|badcompany95|Bad Company}} |
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*{{rotten-tomatoes|id=1058955-bad_company|title=Bad Company}} |
*{{rotten-tomatoes|id=1058955-bad_company|title=Bad Company}} |
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{{Damian Harris}} |
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{{Authority control}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Bad Company (1995 Film)}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bad Company (1995 Film)}} |
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[[Category:1995 films]] |
[[Category:1995 films]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:1995 crime thriller films]] |
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[[Category:1990s psychological thriller films]] |
[[Category:1990s psychological thriller films]] |
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[[Category:American crime thriller films]] |
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[[Category:American psychological thriller films]] |
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[[Category:Films about the Central Intelligence Agency]] |
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[[Category:Films about corruption in the United States]] |
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[[Category:Films about interracial romance]] |
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[[Category:Films directed by Damian Harris]] |
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[[Category:Films scored by Carter Burwell]] |
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[[Category:Films set in Seattle]] |
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[[Category:Touchstone Pictures films]] |
[[Category:Touchstone Pictures films]] |
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Revision as of 19:31, 25 May 2024
Bad Company | |
---|---|
Directed by | Damian Harris |
Written by | Ross Thomas |
Produced by | Jeffrey Chernov Amedeo Ursini |
Starring | |
Cinematography | Jack N. Green |
Edited by | Stuart H. Pappé |
Music by | Carter Burwell |
Production company | |
Distributed by | Buena Vista Pictures Distribution |
Release date |
|
Running time | 108 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Box office | $3,674,841 |
Bad Company is a 1995 American neo-noir thriller film directed by Damian Harris and written by Ross Thomas.
The film stars Ellen Barkin and Laurence Fishburne as former CIA operatives engaging in a dubious romance while plotting to murder their boss, played by Frank Langella, and take over his firm, which specializes in blackmail and corporate espionage. The film grossed $3.6 million in a limited theatrical release in the United States and drew mostly negative reviews from critics, but the film enjoyed lucrative success in the home video market.[1]
Plot
In Seattle, former CIA agent Nelson Crowe is hired by Vic Grimes for a position with his company nicknamed "The Toolshed." Grimes' firm employs people with intelligence service backgrounds to sell their talents with regard to extortion and corporate espionage to domestic and foreign corporations. Grimes' second in command, Margaret Wells, begins working with Crowe and seduces him, enticing him with a plot to murder Grimes so they can take over the firm.
The Toolshed's top client, Curl Industries, is being sued in a class action lawsuit in a case currently on appeal at the Washington State Supreme Court. Curl Industries is accused of poisoning the water supply to a small town, resulting in the birth of disabled children. Grimes gives Crowe $1 million to bribe one of the justices, Justin Beach, into swinging the verdict in favor of Curl Industries.
Crowe and Toolshed operative Todd Stapp buy Justice Beach's $25,000 gambling debt from bookmaker Bobby Birdsong and pay for information on Beach's personal life from his friend, Les Goodwin. During a secret progress report meeting, Crowe is revealed to in fact be a mole for the CIA, albeit against his will. Crowe was dismissed from the agency on suspicion of stealing a $50,000 bribe meant for an Iraqi colonel.
Crowe's former boss, William "Smitty" Smithfield, is threatening prison time or the disappearance of the bribe as leverage to get Crowe to infiltrate the Toolshed. The CIA intends to acquire the firm and use it as a black operations hub with Smitty in charge. During the meeting, as he turns over the $1 million bribe money for inspection, Crowe secretly records his conversation with Smitty, who also forces him to sign a receipt. Stapp later discovers Crowe's secret objective and extorts a payoff from Smitty to remain silent about it.
Beach accepts the $1 million bribe delivered by Crowe. He and his mistress Julie Ames sign a receipt to ensure Beach's cooperation. Beach buys tickets for a flight to the Caribbean and sends Julie ahead with the money, telling her he intends to leave his wife and join her. After reneging on his agreement and voting against Curl Industries, Beach commits suicide.
Despite the setback caused by Beach's death and his vote, Wells and Crowe continue with their plan to murder Grimes. Wells spends a romantic weekend with Grimes at his fishing cabin. Crowe sneaks in and shoots Grimes, then beats Wells to make it appear like the murder was a robbery gone wrong.
Wells and Crowe then take over the Toolshed, though Wells now rebuffs Crowe's affections towards her, having used him to get what she wanted. Upon hearing of her lover's death, Julie travels to Europe, sending Goodwin postcards telling him how she's enjoying spending the $1 million. Goodwin sells this information to Crowe, who takes it to Wells. Wells orders Crowe to find and kill Julie because of her knowledge of the bribe attempt. Smitty confronts Wells in her office at the Toolshed and informs her of the CIA's plan to take over and also of Crowe's involvement in the agency's infiltration.
Julie buys a gun from Goodwin and goes to Crowe's apartment to kill him in revenge for Beach's death. She arrives shortly after Wells, who also came to kill Crowe. In a chaotic shootout, Julie blindly fires at both as Crowe and Wells shoot each other dead.
Julie somehow remains unharmed. As she meticulously picks up her shell casings, she finds Crowe's briefcase containing incriminating evidence, including the tape of his conversations with Smitty and the receipt she and Beach signed. After burning the receipt, Julie mails the tape to the U.S. Attorney's office to expose the corrupt dealings of both the CIA and the Toolshed. She then leaves town for good, alone.
Cast
- Ellen Barkin as Margaret Wells
- Laurence Fishburne as Nelson Crowe
- Frank Langella as Vic Grimes
- Michael Beach as Tod Stapp
- Gia Carides as Julie Ames
- David Ogden Stiers as Judge Justin Beach
- Daniel Hugh Kelly as Les Goodwin
- Spalding Gray as Walter Curl
- James Hong as Bobby Birdsong
- Tegan West as Al
- Michael Murphy as William "Smitty" Smithfield (uncredited)
- Michelle Beaudoin as Wanda
Critical reception
The film received mostly negative reviews from critics. As of December 30, 2010, the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported that 27% of critics gave the film positive reviews, based on 11 reviews.[2] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "C" on an A+ to F scale.[3]
References
- ^ McCourt, Judith (12 July 1998). "THE TOP 50 TURNS-PER-COPY TITLES 1992-1997". Video Store Magazine: 20.
- ^ "Bad Company Movie Reviews, Pictures - Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
- ^ "CinemaScore". cinemascore.com.
This article needs additional citations for verification. (January 2008) |
External links
- 1995 films
- 1995 crime thriller films
- 1990s American films
- 1990s English-language films
- 1990s psychological thriller films
- American crime thriller films
- American neo-noir films
- American psychological thriller films
- Films about the Central Intelligence Agency
- Films about corruption in the United States
- Films about interracial romance
- Films directed by Damian Harris
- Films scored by Carter Burwell
- Films set in Seattle
- Touchstone Pictures films