DVD Review: Business Of Strangers (B-)

Business of Strangers (2001)
Directed by Patrick Stettner
Starring Stockard Channing and Julia Stiles
MPAA: R
Grade: B-

Review by Scott Standish

Stockard Channing is probably one of the most consistently versatile (and yes, that is possible) actresses in the business today. Whether it be the society mom of Six Degrees of Separation, the boy chasing bad girl of Grease or the cold as ice executive of Business of Strangers, she always seems to bring her best to the screen.

The Business of Strangers tells the story of two women in the workplace: Paula, a temp just trying to get through the day setting up a laptop for a presentation (Julia Stiles), and Julie, a high powered VP willing to play tough to get to the top (Channing). When traveling out of town on a sales job, Paula screws up a very important presentation by the VP, so Julie fires her with no remorse whatsoever.

Things turn around quickly in Business of Strangers, as Stockard Channing and the temp bump into each in the hotel bar later that night. The VP feels guilty for firing the temp so she tries to erase her guilt by befriending the young girl. The evening takes on one twist after another, some not as clever as the director might have hoped, while on the other hand, some of the twists are pretty interesting.

The dynamic between Channing and Stiles really gathers electricity as the pair get to know each other. The temp is wild and carefree, and the VP is cautious and uptight. They both feel that the other can learn from them, and there is a battle for power that keeps the viewer intrigued up to the final scene.

This film feels very much like a stage play (perhaps it was?) as it takes place in just three settings (a business office, a bar and a hotel room). The camera work and overall art direction is rather flat. All of the story line twists are revealed through dialogue, and the blocking seems set up for a stage play. But the acting is so good that one does become absorbed into what is happening.

Julia Stiles is excellent here and she is one actress to keep an eye on. But it is Channing that once again controls the pulse of this movie, and her wide range is really put to test here. Give Business of Strangers a shot if you are a fine of tightly wound character driven stories with solid acting.

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