Strangers in Good Company

source: Strangers in Good Company

This mysterious story - a group of elderly women who don't know each other appear out of the mist, tell their life stories to each other then fade into the mist again - is told with with humour, compassion and huge respect for the women as they set about making the best of their predicament in a mutually co-operative and tolerant manner. The devising, filming and editing alone would make this an outstanding movie, but the depiction of an 'invisible' part of our society and its strengths makes it an important document. It is also a political statement that contrasts the cold, autocratic style of the boys' society in Golding's book with the warm, co-operative community of the old women. I would also recommend Mary Meig's book 'In the Company of Strangers' on the fascinating way the film was put together.

This is a quiet film, and it is beautifully photographed. The character sketches are marvelously drawn, and could easily be from real life. The inner beauty and serenity of each, rather plain and ordinary, woman is illuminated, but not forced on the viewer. This movie will be as valid and gorgeous in thirty, or even fifty, years as it is now. Unlike many contemporary movies, this one has no car chases (the one vehicle doesn't even work well), explosions, or violence of any kind. The only gimmick for pulling in the viewer is the believability of each scene. I could have been there, and would have enjoyed each individual and each conversation. It was necessary that the ladies be rescued from their predicament, but it was hard to part company with them. My only consolation, until more movies like this are made, is that I own a copy and can watch it as often as I wish.

I realize this is rural Quebec but they are driving in a freaking FIELD. I live in rural America and senior citizens have no business being on a FIELD in the middle of nowhere. What if there had been a medical emergency? Premise is ridiculous.

Watching this movie was like taking a true brake from everyday life. It was truly comforting. It might not seem a professional movie at first because of the free speech, but I think they looked more professional then any trained actors. I loved it. You have to see it.

This film will ring true to those of us who spent childhood afternoons with batty maiden aunts. Though batty maiden aunts vary in personality, temperament, and social skills you're sure to find one that is familiar because you have a whole busload to choose from. This beautifully shot and laconically paced film is sort of a rambling walk through the pasts of a group of older women from various backgrounds who get temporarily stranded in an isolated spot in Canada. Though the personalities of the characters are a little as-to-be-expected, the acting is guileless and the dialogue completely natural. Prepare to have your curiosity peaked about medicinal herbs, pornographic boot jacks, and the hunting habits of Cissy's cat. The only device I found a little annoying was the stopping of the action to show off old photos from the women's lives. It bothered me at the time, but looking back I understand what they were trying to do and even feel a little nostalgic about it; which, of course, is utterly appropriate. It's definitely off the beaten track, not either as flamboyant or banal as art films are want to be. But, In Good Company is definitely a well made piece worthy of a larger audience.

One of those quiet, little movies that leaves a small but thoughtful mark afterwards. So atypical of the modern wham bam flash modern film! Probably more a woman's film than a man's. I particularly liked the fact that they were all, bar one, not professional actors - made it a different sort of experience.

A superb movie dealing with life, the interplay of human strengths and weakness, and growing older. The movie uses non-professional actors playing themselves, and is wonderfully refreshing, thought provoking and moving. I give this movie a high recommendation.

This is a wonderfully worthwhile film. Anyone interested in the lives of women should watch this. The story was entertaining and yet in the true definition of the word art I found myself reflecting on my own life while watching it.

'Strangers in Good Company' is an odd sort of film, precisely because of the honesty of its subjects who, other than playing their allotted stereotypical roles in our collective pop culture, are routinely ignored in film or television portrayal. Even the idiotic 'Something's Gotta Give' seemed to have such a hard time with 60 year-old characters and more so, with their relationship. Films like 'Strangers in Good Company,' on the other hand (this one being largely improvised by its cast of elderly female characters stranded in the Canadian countryside when their bus breaks down), and others like 84 Charing Cross Road, or similar films, actually give the audience a very touching, though sometimes sad, portrayal. Here, these women, on their way to one older woman's childhood home, become good friends as they hole up in what looks like an abandoned Canadian country home, roughing it for a few days while they try to find help. In the company of each other, they develop a friendship, and learn a bit about each other's lives as the days pass. Some of them memorable, interesting tales of the women's lives (see the trivia, most of what is told is pulled from their background) and some, very sad recollections and future perceptions such as the woman who's greatest fear was being destitute and left alone with no one to care for her. It is less a story of survival in the countryside and more of a tapestry of lives being told here and there. Some of the improvisation is evident as some of the actresses seem either unsure or uncomfortable with what is going on sometimes. But nonetheless, this low-budget picture actually turned out to be a nice little underrated film about something we don't always get to see or hear.