The Company You Keep
User Score
5.8 out of 10

Mixed or average reviews- based on 18 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 18
  3. Negative: 3 out of 18

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  1. GreatMartin
    Apr 12, 2013
    5
    Young people who went through ‘Occupy Wall Street’ should go to see “The Company You Keep” to see how people protested the Vietnam war which had the government killing college students while some of those a little older were members of the Weathermen Underground, a revolutionary group to bring down the U.S. government by robbing banks, blowing up buildings and, in some incidents, killing iilling innocent bystanders. Some members disappeared becoming upstanding members of communities for decades and in recent years some have given themselves up after their children had grown and they still had their guilt.“The Company You Keep” is the story of one woman, Sharon Solarz (Susan Sarandon) surrendering after being wanted for 30 years in connection with a killing at an attempted bank robbery.

    By doing this Sharon involves some who were with her in those days and have turned around their lives, all having done quite well. We meet Jim Grant (Robert Redford), a respected lawyer whose wife recently died, leaving him with a 11 year old daughter (Jackie Evancho), who goes on the run to find his former lover Mimi (Julie Christie) who can clear him and is currently running drugs for her new partner Mac (Sam Elliot). We meet Fitzgerald (Nick Nolte) who owns a lumberyard, Jed (Richard Jenkins) who is a university professor, Billy (Stephen Root) a farmer, organic of course, and Daniel (Chris Cooper), Jim’s brother who takes his niece. Last, but certainly not least, is Henry Osborne (Brendan Gleeson) as a police chief who was involved in the case of the bank robbery and the guard who was killed.

    Redford brings in younger faces with Ben (Shia LaBeouf) as a reporter who has a a former girlfriend in the FBI, Diana (Anna Kendrick) who supplies him with information about Jim and Rebecca as Osborne’s daughter. There is Diana’s boss, Cornelius (Terrence Howard) who goes on the search for Jim and/or Mimi as Ben tries to get to them first for the ‘big’ story and Ben’s boss Ray Fuller (Stanley Tucci)..

    This is a film many young people should go to see to learn the history of their grandparent's generation who were not passive when they knew the government was wrong. They should see how professional, older actors can raise the level of a film and are a presence on the screen. For those of us over 60 it reminds us of what individuals Redford, Christie, Sarandon, Nolte, etc., brought to the screen and still do. Though Redford’s face hasn’t aged too well in screen terms those of us from “The Sting” days will see him as he was then just as looking at Christie the beauty of “Darling” shines through.

    The directing by Redford, with the screenplay by Lem Dobbs is pedestrian, though there is a scene with Susan Sarandon in prison, and another between Redford and Christie in a log cabin, that make the film worth seeing along with the performances by the other older actors. He does make a major mistake with the Hollywood ending which, if you have seen any movies, know is coming way before it does.    … Expand
  2. TVJerry
    May 3, 2013
    6
    After 30 years of respectable living, a member of the Weather Underground (Susan Sarandon) is arrested. This sends another fugitive (Robert Redford) on the run, while a plucky journalist (Shai LaBeouf) tracks the case. This is not a taught chase, but a thoughtful pursuit. It's interesting to watch the solution comes together, but could have been a tighter. The cast is full of accomplished actors (Julie Chistie, Nick Nolte,) who all do a good job. While political messages creep in too often, the pursuit of the man and the truth makes for an absorbing journey.… Expand
  3. mystampstore
    Apr 17, 2013
    8
    I really enjoyed watching Robert Redford. Robert Redford still has it. I really wanted more. I was drawn in as they were bringing in more and more people. I would have liked to know what happened with the trials. They drew us into the story and what happened to these people and what drove them to do these things. I could have watched this for another couple of hours.
  4. LesfromNJ
    Apr 14, 2013
    1
    Robert Redford is miscast as a father of a 12 year-old daughter. Just not believable. Story is weak and doesn't search the real moral questions of the Vietnam era. Best advice, just skip "The Company You Keep."
  5. Gerbus
    Apr 27, 2013
    9
    This was a great movie. I have no idea why it's rating isn't doing very well right now (EDIT: Oh I know why, because people are seeing it in the theatre. Well I streamed it, so it was free). Good suspense. Good characters. At one point, I was like, this is kind of like The Fugitive. I liked Robert Redford in Spy Game. Yeah he's getting old, but he still plays the cool headed protagonist well. Also the young guy was fun to watch.… Expand
  6. survivorfan989
    May 14, 2013
    6
    This was a decent film with some solid acting from the leads but the issue here was I just wasn't interested throughout it. It will probably please older audiences and maybe that shows my age but I just couldn't really get into it despite having a rather intriguing premise. Shia LaBeouf does a great job as the intrusive journalist while Robert Redford also does a good job as the fugitive on the run. Overall it will appeal to some but probably not to the younger crowd.… Expand
  7. djvampyre
    Apr 5, 2013
    0
    The killers are now free, have been given good jobs, and live a peaceful and comfortable lifestyle profiting from the capitalistic lifestyle they so eagerly sought to tear down. Not only are the killers living the good life but they are portrayed as heroes... while their victims remain dead and their families go on with life without their loved ones. A sickening display of injustice and unfortunately "the norm" in America now.… Expand
  8. RealScript
    Apr 15, 2013
    8
    A lot of big faces in this movie which often times can go south but they did a great job portraying each characters. We are not drawn to the cast like we do with movies with big famous casts but instead we concentrate on the story which is very gripping. It's definitely not a movie to sit down and enjoy mindlessly, you have to sorta use your head and keep up with a story but Its not to hard to follow or understand.
    Overall it was a nice movie an I think shia labeouf did a good job portraying a young, story hungry journalist.    … Expand
  9. Cyberghost
    Apr 30, 2013
    4
    Run-of-the-mill suspense movie.........with stereotypical characters and a predictable plot twists and turns........the acting and directing is standard....nothing outstandingly good or bad........and all-in-all it will leave you mildly entertained.
  10. EAL
    May 4, 2013
    10
    Incredible cast... superbly directed with a thoughtful, provocative, suspenseful story. No action figures and no explosions but it is not just about politics it is about us... the choices we make... career choices... relationships... compromises... how you deal with the past... secrets.... aging... parenting... personal sacrifices... the importance of values but not losing sight of humanity and friendship: enduring... surprising... disappointing and across party lines... Ignore what you hear and go see it. No matter what... it will get you talking after the movie.… Expand
  11. lismis7000
    May 20, 2013
    9
    Robert Redford shows he is a great director making provocative movies like this one. at it's core it is a thriller, it becomes an examination of family, loyalty, sacrifice, and the rights of the press, The company you keep is well directed by Redford. Robert Redford proves he has still got acting ability, and he assembles a great cast. This an engrossing move

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
57 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 35 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 35
  3. Negative: 4 out of 35
  1. Total Film
    Reviewed by: Kate Stables
    May 20, 2013
    60
    Well-crafted, well-intentioned and well, just a tad dull.
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  2. St. Louis Post-Dispatch
    Reviewed by: Joe Williams
    Apr 26, 2013
    63
    Redford is an adequate director, and he keeps things moving at a moderate pace, passing up exits to more spectacular vistas or hotter issues.
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  3. New Orleans Times-Picayune
    Reviewed by: Mike Scott
    Apr 26, 2013
    60
    Ends up being an enjoyable, if only marginally memorable, ride.
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