The Company You Keep (2012)

Donald Fitzgerald: "We all died. Some of us came back."

By Robert Redford
With Robert Redford, Shia LaBeouf and Julie Christie

When you see the cast of The Company You Keep, with its plethora of awards nominations and a cast of award winning actors, it's hard to not be curious about it. I knew I wanted to see it but I just didn't think I had to see it as soon as possible.

The film narrates events following former 70's anti-war militant activist Sharon Solarz's arrest, more than 30 years after his being on the FBI's most wanted list for the murder of a bank guard. This shakes up the whole community. Young and ambitious journalist Ben Shepard starts investigating the case and quickly finds out that Sharon is not the only one who was hiding under a fake identity. Mysteries and secrets that were once thought to be buried threaten to be exposed as the story progresses.

The issue with having so many great names on a credits list is that most of them actually end up having very little screen time. The plot contains an interesting mix of political and journalistic issues, however it is a little predictable and does not hold any great twist that can keep you at the edge of your seat, as is the case of many great thrillers. The palette of actors seems to serve the story more than the story serves the actors.

What the film lacks is something that can make it stand out in its own right. It seems to have neither major flaws nor great assets. It flows nicely, is quite entertaining and beautiful at times, but it is not memorable and there are far better films about journalism or 70's radical activism.

I liked: Great actors one after the other. Beautiful sights of the Great Lakes area.

I disliked: Doesn't pack a punch. Forgettable.

63/100
There's nothing irredeemably bad about this movie and it will keep entertained those with an interest in the themes.