Hi, everyone. "Moriarty" here with some Rumblings From The Lab...
I believe in Topher Grace as a leading man. I have said before that I think he’s Tom Hanks just waiting to happen. He’s had a confidence on THAT 70’S SHOW since day one that you can’t teach and you can’t fake. He simply has a comic timing mixed with a gravitas that is undeniable, and I’m dying to see who gets it on film first in a leading role. Based on these two reviews, that someone might just be Paul Weitz. Check this out:
Hey Harry,
Groover checking in from the West Coast. It's been a while since I've submitted, but I did get into what were told was the "first ever" public screening of Synergy last week. No spoilers ahead - just one guy's opinion.
For those unfamiliar with the term - "Synergy" is a 90's buzzword corporate America invented to explain why buying up widely disparate companies under one conglomerate was good for business - cross promotion, distribution, ad nauseum. For those of us who have seen "synergy" in action, we know it really means diminshed profit-sharing, downsizing and that most-dreaded word "consultant."
And both of those definitions are kind of the gist of the movie..."Synergy" stars Dennis Quaid, Topher Grace and Scarlett Johansson. Quaid is a top ad-sales man with a Sports Illustrated-like magazine. Grace is the hotshot corporate wonk who gets promoted to the head of ad sales - and becomes Quaids boss - when the company he works for buys the media giant that runs Quaid's magazine. Johansson is Quaid's oldest daughter, a college student, who also happens to be dating Grace at the same time. Hilarity and drama ensue - at least they should.........
The dynamic of Grace invading Quaid's domain proves for some very funny exchanges. Grace's manic stutter delivery, coupled with with Quaid's seething hatred of how this young punk became his boss works well. And Grace's and Johansson's relationship also proves touching, because Grace isn't intentionally malicious or trying to upset Quaid, he just happens to be in love with the man's daughter.
It all should work. And, in fact, it does at some points. But the movie doesn't seem to know what it wants to be. Sometimes, it's very poignant - perhaps even a little too melodramatic. Other times, it gets close to slapstick humor - and it just doesn't fly.
Quaid is a great actor. He can play slick, devilish, intense, macho. But he can't play the unsure, over-protective, "oh-my-god, guys-think-my-daughter-is-hot, what-do-I-do" kind of dad that Steve Martin does so well. Quaid can be funny, but here he's funnier in his corporate world than in his home.
Topher Grace turns in a good performance. Anyone who doubts his ability should go back and watch his brief scenes in Traffic. Here he gets to show a whole range of emotions. I just wish he'd do a role which didn't include that uncomfortable-in-his-own-skin character he does so well. When he doesn't slip into that, he's quite good.
And of course there's Scarlett Johansson. Beautful, sultry, sophisticated, stylish? Of course, but also a damn fine actress. She's seen throughout the movie, but only used in two or three really good scenes. It's unfortunate that her storyline isn't stronger.
The version I saw is long - and would benefit by losing about 10-15 minutes - much of which could come if the film makers cut even half of the "contemplative" shots where the actors look deep in thought while thoughtful acoustic music plays underneath. There's far too many of those. They could also stand to lose part of scene where Quaid - in an effort to show he's not too over the hill - and playing in a company basketball league - goes up for a dunk and comes down hard. It's meant to be funny, and in the hands of a comedic actor - it might have been. But it just doesn't work on him.
Is the movie good? Eh, it's all right. Derivative, predictable, formulaic, but all right. I give it "C." The main problem, like I said, is its desire to be both too funny and too serious. Either embrace the slapstick, or embrace the melodrama - but in trying to have it all, the movie falls flat on both. My suggestion, cut the slapstick, go with the drama and keep some of the light comedy touches. Don't get me wrong, there's not an "A" film here from the version I saw. But some re-editing and trimming could get this film into the "B" range.
Not a bad review. Here’s another take on the film from that same screening:
Last night I went and saw a test screening of a film called "Synergy," director Paul Weitz's (American Pie, About a Boy) attempt to direct a film without brother director Chris Weitz.
The film revolves around middle-aged Dan Foreman (Dennis Quaid), who is in charge of the sales division for a sports magazine. Life seems to be going smoothly for Dan. His wife (Marg Helgenberger) runs an efficient household, and his daughter (Scarlett Johansson) is an up and coming tennis pro. But when their company merges with a much larger, much hipper company, Dan is demoted and his life is thrown into the spin cycle. A new, younger and complete opposite version of him played by Topher Grace has now taken his job and is invading every inch of his work and family life. This film is about discovering what's important to you, and how even the wrong decision can turn out to be the right one.
The thing that writer/director Paul Weitz seems to do well is write characters. They could be the sexually frustrated teenage angst filled characters like in "American Pie," or the morally confused characters in "About a Boy." This film is not alone then with it's quirky counterparts. Still, I do think the absence of Chris Weitz affected the film and story. The film seemed choppy, and the characters never actually evolved into what Paul Weitz was obviously trying to accomplish. The problem was balance between the two main characters Quaid and Grace. Both people were supposed to be growing and changing, but by the end you only feel like Grace accomplished anything and Quaid was left in the dust. This was certainly not what was meant to happen. But because of editing and focus, you are certainly left feeling that way.
Still, I am hard pressed to say this is just your average popcorn flick. In fact I believe that it is an above average film when you look at all the wannabe good films out there right now. The film is well acted, and while the stories formula might be old hat, the way it is played out is certainly not.
Release Date: December 29, 2004
-- Winston
If you’re wondering why Chris Weitz didn’t work with his brother Paul on this one, I can tell you that one reason is because he’s gearing up to make the first film in the HIS DARK MATERIALS trilogy. I’m hoping we’ll have some great exclusive news about that film here on AICN in the next few weeks. For now, I’m definitely interested in SYNERGY, and look forward to December.
"Moriarty" out.
