In Good Company: The Shooting Script

　　"When we finished About a Boy, my brother Chris wanted to do something wildly different. I wanted to write a film of the same scale, a character study overtly set against the backdrop of American cultural issues. Writing the script on my own felt like going back to playwriting. And instead of bumming money off my dad, I was able to bum character traits from him to use for Dennis Quaid's character."-Writer/Director Paul Weitz, from his Introduction

　　The latest film from the Oscar?-nominated screenwriter of About a Boy, In Good Company is a dramatic comedy about the relationship between a 51-year-old businessman, Dan Foreman (Dennis Quaid), and his new 26-year-old boss, Carter Duryea (Topher Grace). Dan Foreman is headed for a shakeup. He is demoted from head of ad sales for a major magazine when the company is acquired in a corporate takeover. His new boss, Carter Duryea, is half his age-a business school prodigy who preaches corporate Synergy. While Dan develops clients through handshake deals, Carter cross-promotes the magazine with the cell phone division.

　　Both men are going through turmoil at home. Dan has two daughters-Alex, age 18, and Jana, age 16-and is shocked when his wife tells him she's pregnant. Between college tuition, the mortgage, and a new baby, Dan can't afford to lose his job. Carter, meanwhile, is dumped by his wife of seven months just as he gets his promotion. Dan and Carter's uneasy friendship is thrown into jeopardy when Carter falls for Dan's daughter Alex (Scarlett Johansson). Weitz's examination of life's surprises, ironies, and coincidences combine to form In Good Company.

　　The Newmarket Shooting Script book includes the complete screenplay, an introduction by writer/director Paul Weitz, production notes, a selection of black-and-white movie stills, and complete cast and crew credits.

About the Author

　　Paul Weitz co-wrote and co-directed blockbuster hits About a Boy (nominated for an Oscar? for Best Adapted Screenplay) and American Pie. Previously, with his brother Chris, he collaborated on several screenplays, including Antz.