:: The Business Of Strangers

Writer/director Patrick Stettner worked in the cold, elite world of a big business office. He is sensitive to the way in which successful white-collar female workers have had to forsake much in rubbing shoulders with their male counterparts and superiors.

The film takes place in a 24-hour period. Julie Styron (Stockard Channing) is the pinnacle of success, having won an executive position at her firm. After doing a city-to-city presentation about her company, she flies in for an important meeting with a potential client. She finds out that her new assistant, who has the presentation details, isn’t there. Almost an hour passes before Paula Murphy (Julia Stiles) arrives, with an excuse about a late flight. Julie loses the deal and subsequently sacks Paula.

Julie is stresses throughout the day and fears that her head may be on the chopping block as well. She calls for help in the name of Nick Harris (Fred Weller), a sly job headhunter who may be able to ensure that Julie finds a similar job elsewhere. Instead, her boss indicates to Julie that she will replace him when he soon resigns.

That night, after her plane flight is cancelled, Julie sits in a hotel bar and sees Paula across the room. She now feels bad about the sacking and offers her job back. Ironically, the two women bond after a big drinking session, and it results in the revelation that corporate headhunter Nick is a rapist. Paula made it clear that Nick raped her best friend a few years earlier. After some time in speaking about the vagaries of their lives, their men and career ambitions, Julie and Paula plot Nick’s downfall. They confront him, drug him, and express their fury on his unconscious body. But their agendas are different. They are out to secure their identity. It begs the question: “Is it a game of control, or is it all a trick?”

Stockard Channing gives an excellent performance. Her face reveals much in terms of being vulnerable and despondent. She is completely at home as Julie. Julia Stiles deserves much praise also. She keeps her character on a par with Channing and isn’t overshadowed because her character has complexities. Stetton’s script is honest and powerful, with a snappy dialogue.

The conclusion may be a slight letdown but, overall, “The Business Of Strangers” is very fresh in relating a commentary on those involved in the struggles of the corporate world. It is finely acted and places new light on female angst in the workplace.

Screening at the Lumiere Cinemas