The Color of Film Collaborative

“The Company You Keep” directed by Robert Redford and produced by Voltage Pictures is a like a masterfully made dark chocolate; it looks divine, but leaves a lingering taste of bitterness in your mouth. Cinemas famed actor Robert Redford bites off more than he can chew by assuming the roles as lead and director in this blunt political thriller about former Weather Underground anti-Vietnam War militants reminiscing on their past “mistakes” thirty years after the fact. Single father Jim Grant (Robert Redford) has hid in the shadows of authorities for over thirty years posing as a lawyer in Albany New York until his identity is uncovered by obnoxiously persistent reporter Ben Shepard (Shia LaBeouf) who is trying desperately to make a name for himself in the journalism world. Redfords character now faces two choices; turn himself into the FBI or find his ex-lover and fellow radical, Mimi (Julie Christie) and convince her to help clear his name.

This political thriller is supported by a cast of talented stars. Transformers Shia LaBeouf owns the role of a persistent, almost spastic reporter who seems to have ADD in one of his best performances of his career thus far. Terrance Howard doesn’t stray far from his usual role of an authoritative figure with strict motives and aces his performance as well. Robert Redford displays talent that one would expect from a seasoned Hollywood Veteran. But although the film is laced with undeniably brilliant talent and dialogue, there is something off about it.

The film progresses about as quickly as a tortoise at full sprint and in this case slow and steady does not win the race. Redfords approach to a film about Weather Underground anti-Vietnam War militants reliving their past thirty years later is nothing short of soft and wimpy. Although gripping at times, The actor and director might as well have filmed Green Berret soldiers infiltrating an insurgent camp with string guns and nerf artillery shells. What I mean is it lacked the intensity it deserved.

“The Company You Keep” is the perfect excuse to go to the movies, gorge down a bag of popcorn, cold drink, and feel mildly ok about your movie-going experience. Although The film doesn’t share the same level of entertainment as other recent releases such as Argo, or Zero Dark Thirty, it’s still worth paying the matinee price to watch some of Hollywoods best actors put on a pretty good performance, even if the film itself is a little weak.