The Company You Keep Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A really old dude tries to outrun the FBI, a young reporter, and his past, all while trying to prove he’s not guilty of something that happened like, 40 years ago.

🍿 The Company You Keep: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Arrest and Exposure

The film opens with the arrest of Sharon Solarz, a former member of the Weather Underground, for a bank robbery committed decades ago where a security guard was murdered. This event triggers a chain reaction that exposes Jim Grant, a small-town lawyer leading a quiet life with his daughter. A determined young reporter, Ben Shepard, begins investigating Solarz and uncovers Grant’s true identity as Nick Sloan, another former member of the radical group and a fugitive wanted in connection to the same robbery.

On the Run

Faced with exposure and potential arrest, Grant decides to go on the run to clear his name. He entrusts his daughter to his brother and embarks on a cross-country journey to locate Mimi Lurie, a former lover and fellow Weather Underground member who he believes can prove his innocence. Meanwhile, Shepard doggedly pursues Grant, driven by ambition and a desire to uncover the full story behind the decades-old crime. The FBI is also in pursuit, adding another layer of pressure to Grant’s desperate quest.

Unraveling the Past

As Grant travels, he reconnects with former associates from his activist days, seeking their help in locating Mimi. Shepard’s investigation leads him to Michigan, where he uncovers a complex web of relationships and secrets surrounding the bank robbery. He discovers that the investigation was compromised by the involvement of a local police officer with ties to the Weather Underground. Grant finally locates Mimi, and a confrontation ensues that reveals the truth about the robbery and its aftermath.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Jim Grant (Nick Sloan) (Robert Redford): A former Weather Underground militant living under an assumed identity as a lawyer, forced to go on the run to clear his name after his past is exposed.
• Ben Shepard (Shia LaBeouf): An ambitious young reporter who uncovers Jim Grant’s true identity and investigates his connection to a decades-old bank robbery.
• Sharon Solarz (Susan Sarandon): A former Weather Underground member whose arrest triggers the events that force Jim Grant to flee.
• Mimi Lurie (Julie Christie): A former Weather Underground radical and Jim’s former lover, who holds the key to proving his innocence.
• FBI Agent Cornelius (Terrence Howard): The determined FBI agent leading the pursuit of Jim Grant, seeking to bring him to justice for his past actions.
• Henry Osborne (Brendan Gleeson): The retired police officer who worked the bank robbery case years prior, whose past becomes entangled with Jim and Mimi.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Jim Grant: “Secrets are a dangerous thing, Ben. We all think we want to know them, but if you’ve kept one to yourself, you come to understand that doing so, you may learn something about someone else, but you also discover something about yourself. I hope you’re ready for that.” – Jim warns Ben about the potential consequences of uncovering secrets, suggesting that the quest for truth can be personally revealing.
• Sharon Solarz: “We made mistakes, but we were right.” – Sharon’s line encapsulates the conflicted perspective of former radicals, acknowledging errors while reaffirming the righteousness of their cause.
• Donal Fitzgerald: “Yeah we all died. Some of us just came back.” – Reflects the sense of rebirth or transformation experienced by those who lived through radical times.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $2,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $5,133,027
• Worldwide Gross: $20,014,680

💥 The Company You Keep Reviews

Personal Review

I was drawn to ‘The Company You Keep’ because of the impressive cast. Seeing Redford on screen again as a director and actor was definitely part of the appeal. I found the story interesting, especially the exploration of past radicalism and its impact on later life. However, I felt it struggled to connect emotionally. I loved the scenes with Julie Christie; she added a certain spark to the movie. Overall, it’s a decent watch if you enjoy character-driven stories, but don’t expect a high-octane thriller.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of political thrillers”
  • “Viewers interested in films about the 1970s radical movements”
  • “Those who enjoy Robert Redford’s directorial work”
  • “Audiences who appreciate ensemble casts with veteran actors”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Brief strong language”
  • “Discussions of violence and political extremism”
  • “Mature themes related to the consequences of past actions”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Redford gathers an impeccable cast but ultimately delivers a well-meaning yet dramatically inert thriller that struggles to find its footing amid a sea of familiar tropes and undercooked characters.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “While competently made and featuring strong performances, ‘The Company You Keep’ fails to fully capitalize on its fascinating premise, resulting in a somewhat predictable and emotionally distant experience.
• Rolling Stone: “The film boasts a stellar ensemble, yet the weight of their talents feels unevenly distributed, with some actors relegated to fleeting cameos. A great idea but underdeveloped overall.

Audience Reactions

The stellar cast and their solid performances are what kept many viewers engaged despite the film’s flaws.: The exploration of the characters’ past actions and their consequences was a major point of interest.

Many viewers felt that the movie had too many slow parts and the plot felt contrived: It felt like it could have been more thrilling given the subject matter

Overall Consensus: While boasting a stellar cast and intriguing premise, ‘The Company You Keep’ falls short of its potential due to a slow pace, underdeveloped characters, and a lack of genuine thrills. It is worth watching for the performances, but don’t expect a masterpiece.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Robert Redford not only starred in and directed the film but also served as a producer.”
• “Julie Christie, who plays Mimi Lurie, had been reluctant to do the film, preferring a quiet life out of the Hollywood spotlight. This film marks her last on-camera acting appearance as of 2021.”
• “The film explores themes of political activism, consequences of past actions, and the complexities of justice, offering a reflection on a turbulent period in American history.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Company You Keep?

As of today, you can rent or purchase “The Company You Keep” on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings as availability may vary. There are currently no confirmed streaming platforms offering it as part of their subscription service.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Company You Keep, you might like these similar films:

• All the President’s Men (1976): A classic journalistic thriller involving the uncovering of a vast conspiracy, similar to Ben Shepard’s investigation in ‘The Company You Keep’.
• Argo (2012): Deals with political tension and covert operations, mirroring the themes of past activism and its consequences.
• Running on Empty (1988): Explores the life of a family on the run due to the parents’ radical past, sharing themes of identity and consequence.
• State of Play (2009): Focuses on a journalist investigating a story with political implications, reflecting the themes of truth and accountability.

🛒 The Company You Keep Related Products

• All the President’s Men (Blu-ray): This film is a must-have companion to ‘The Company You Keep.’ Featuring a gripping storyline that mirrors the intensity of investigative journalism, this Blu-ray edition includes insightful commentary and behind-the-scenes features, making it a valuable addition to any film enthusiast’s collection.
• Vintage Weather Underground Protest Poster: Own a piece of history with this reproduction vintage poster from the era of the Weather Underground. This high-quality print captures the spirit of the radical activism depicted in the film. It is a unique collector’s item for history buffs and movie enthusiasts.
• Journalist’s Field Notebook: Inspired by Shia LaBeouf’s character, this rugged field notebook is perfect for jotting down notes and observations. Features durable construction, water-resistant paper, and a classic design that reflects the on-the-go lifestyle of an investigative reporter.
• The Weather Underground (Documentary): Explore the real history behind the Weather Underground with this critically acclaimed documentary. Featuring interviews with former members and historical footage, this film provides a comprehensive and unflinching look at the group’s origins, motivations, and actions.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Company You Keep features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Islands” – performed by Huddle

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Robert Redford & Shia LaBeouf | Interview | TimesTalks

Ever wonder what it’s like on set with Robert Redford and Shia LaBeouf? Check out this awesome interview where they spill the beans about their experiences filming ‘The Company You Keep’! You get to know the actors a bit more.

On Cinema (S2, Ep. 209): ‘The Company You Keep’ and ‘Jurassic Park 3D’

Curious what the critics thought of ‘The Company You Keep’? This review dives deep into the film, and gives some good perspectives. Prepare for some potentially strong opinions!

✨ Rate