The Company

'The Company' follows the anxieties and triumphs of a company of dancers over a season at the world renowned Joffrey Ballet of Chicago. Scream’s finest Neve Campbell plays Ry, a talented young thing hoping to become the leading light.

Company director Mr. A (Malcolm McDowell), has like many leading choreographers, a unique way of working, it’s his way or no way at all and he’s constantly flitting between meetings and dance sessions. It’s a great portrait, as at times, you know he’s contradicting himself and yet all must still behave and accept that he is right. You don’t argue with the boss if you want the part.

The idea was the brainchild of Neve Campbell, who originally trained with the National School of Ballet in Canada and the screenplay, the work of Barbara Turner ("Georgia", "Pollock"). As a film, The Company is a satisfying slice of life drama. Malcolm McDowell as the company leader, is the focus of much of the humour in his behaviour and Neve Campbell perfectly believable as a dancer having to balance a low-paid job with her career, working long hours and fitting in a social life where possible.

In some ways, Altman’s film appears not to be leading anywhere as a story but one suspects that’s not the point. It’s simply interesting watching the dancers at work and ballet fans will enjoy it for that.

Matt Arnoldi