Stettner offers a microcosm of the modern business world in his first full length film, The Business of Strangers. Stockard Channing plays Julie, a professional so devouted to her career she has neglect virtually every other aspect of her life. She suspects she might be fired soon, and meets with an employment "headhunter", Nick (Fred Weller). Julia Stiles is Paula (at least that's the name she provides), Julie's young, impetuous, obviously unstable assistant. After an acrimonious initial meeting, the two serendipidously meet in a hotel bar and become friends (Julie sees Paul as herself 20 years ago). It turns out Julie has been promoted, not fired, and Julie and Paula decide to live it up in the bar. During the party, Nick shows up (his flight was cancelled). Later, Paula tells Julie she knew Nick in college, and he committed an atrocity against her best friend. Later, when Nick shows up at Julie's room, the two women decide to get even.
(WARNING: Some spoilers ahead).
From the time Julie, Paula, and Nick meet at the bar the film is very predictable and staged. It's obvious from the time her character is introduced that Paula is unstable and duplicitous (she's hostile to virtually everyone she encounters). It's unreasonable to think a shrewd businesswoman like Julie wouldn't see through Paula's guise, and even more inconceivable she would risk her career to abet Paula in her malicious treatment of Nick (what they do is felonious).
After Julie and Paul part ways (neither one too worse for wear), Julie reconsiders her life decisions and seems to re-evaluate her priorities. This gesture by Stettner, while earnest, isn't the epiphany he seems to think it is, and in fact it's obvious from early on that Julie will realize this. The Business of Strangers is one of those films that seems tailored for critics, with little appeal for anyone else: Yes, the acting is first rate and the deliberately antiseptic direction is an effective, somber indictment of the modern business world. But, anyone who has seen more than a few films knows exactly where this one is headed after the first 30 minutes. Ultimately, The Business of Strangers is just an exercise for Channing, Stiles, and director Stettner.
(WARNING: Some spoilers ahead).
From the time Julie, Paula, and Nick meet at the bar the film is very predictable and staged. It's obvious from the time her character is introduced that Paula is unstable and duplicitous (she's hostile to virtually everyone she encounters). It's unreasonable to think a shrewd businesswoman like Julie wouldn't see through Paula's guise, and even more inconceivable she would risk her career to abet Paula in her malicious treatment of Nick (what they do is felonious).
After Julie and Paul part ways (neither one too worse for wear), Julie reconsiders her life decisions and seems to re-evaluate her priorities. This gesture by Stettner, while earnest, isn't the epiphany he seems to think it is, and in fact it's obvious from early on that Julie will realize this. The Business of Strangers is one of those films that seems tailored for critics, with little appeal for anyone else: Yes, the acting is first rate and the deliberately antiseptic direction is an effective, somber indictment of the modern business world. But, anyone who has seen more than a few films knows exactly where this one is headed after the first 30 minutes. Ultimately, The Business of Strangers is just an exercise for Channing, Stiles, and director Stettner.