Don't listen to the negative reviews

A Masterpiece!

I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

Slow paced, unbelievable plot and surprisingly weak performances by all. Don't waste your time.

Even though, the man's acting career spans almost six decades, Robert Redford has only managed to garner only two Academy Awards, and none of those were for his performances. He won the Oscar for Best Directing in 1981 for "Ordinary People" and the second in 2002 was a consolation Award for sticking around long enough which clearly defines why the Lifetime Achievement Award stands for. The closest credit he ever got in terms of acting was a Best Actor nomination in 1973 for "The Sting". With this movie, "The Company You Keep", in which Redford both stars and directs here the chances of him receiving any Oscars are slim to none.In many way to get a first impression on career goals, you have to start from the bottom. Here's where we meet Ben Shepherd (Shia LeBoeuf), a young journalist who works for a newspaper outlet in Albany, New York, The Albany Sun Times, where he'll go through great lengths to please his editor Ray Fuller (Stanley Tucci).The story commences as we are introduced to Sharon Solarz (Susan Sarandon) whom back in the late 1960's and early 1970's was a member of the infamous Weathermen Underground and has been under investigation since then as she made the FBI's Most Wanted list. Thirty five years later, she's under arrest which leaves our inquisitive-minded young reporter Ben wondering, how did they find after so many years?An associate of hers calls Albany attorney, Jim Grant (Redford) to defend her in court, but he rebuffs the request saying that he's too busy and feels he's just simply not up to this kind of case.When word caught onto Ben, he stops by Jim's place to ask questions about it. After all, any attorney would chomp at the opportunity for a case like this, so why does he refuse? Jim tells Ben that it's much harder for one to understand. Things have changed drastically since his wife died and now he has to keep eye on his young daughter, but Ben does not bite into his excuse one bit.After going into further research into the Weathermen Underground, Ben discovers that it's just a rouse to get another member of the Weathermen Underground out of hiding so that they could be on the run until they're proved innocent. This puts Ben in an awkward disposition as he questions his moral ethics as a journalist as he's caught in the middle of whether to rat on a former Weathermen or not to keep this aging man in hiding.The last time Redford both starred and directed a film at once was the 2007 film "Lions for Lambs" which he co-starred with Meryl Streep and Tom Cruise. It comes to no surprise that he really knows where to gather his talent pool. Here Redford pulls out an ensemble of very talented performers with the likes of Anna Kendrick, Nick Nolte, Sam Elliot, Richard Jenkins, Chris Cooper and Julie Christie. And even though they play their roles brilliantly, it's the script that is the main flaw that holds this film shy of greatness. Although the story looks into a moment in history that's rarely examined, it lacks in terms of anything that's impulsive. In kind of had that feeling Redford wanted in on this project. The movie is loosely based off of a novel by Neil Gordon of the same title. Not only that, but the film's backdrop is within the realm of political intrigue. Redford digs movies that has a strong political vibe to it.Sadly this story loses its spark as we see an aging old man taking constant trips to the bathroom and for a two film it does drag on like that for way too long.If there was any performance that stood out, it was from Shia LeBoeuf. Whether you like him or not, he really turned out a role that was more intelligent than his previous ones. Which shows that given a proper role, one that he could chomp at, he can show that he does have talent. The other performers also display good talent here, although Nick Nolte can use a little work here as his lines seem to slur a bit here and there.Not to be putting down a person of their age, but I thing Redford should just either direct or act. There's no need to multi-task. And seeing that he's in the twilight of his life, I think he needs to slow it down a bit. Even though he may have a few moments of great dialogue, but overall his role was disappointing and lacked in charisma.Considering that this film is strong in its political sentiments, the film lacks in terms of offering something of impact. I wanted to know more about this Weathermen Underground organization which was an illicit group that strongly opposed the Vietnam War and went to extreme liberal measures to get there message across even if it costed them their freedom or their reputation. We just never given much insight on this film as it depended on human drama and overlong scenes that had little to offer the story.

Robert Redford's The Company You Keep is a powerful, smart, grounded drama revolving around the seriousness of one's actions, the consequences they may make even decades down the road, and the lengths that some people will go to put things right. Redford has shown only improvement throughout his career, and has been really awesome as of late (All Is Lost was a favourite for me) and he directs here with as much confidence and empathy as he puts into his performance. He plays Nick Sloan, a former underground activist who was involved in a tragic accident as a result of his protesting, and branded a domestic terrorist. He went into hiding for nearly 30 years, until an intrepid journalist (Shia Lebeouf) uncovers traces of his tracks, and he's forced to go on the run, leaving his young daughter with his brother (Chris Cooper). Lebeouf suspects his agenda is to do more than just hide, and indefinitely stay on the run. A federal agent (Terrence Howard) makes it his tunnel vision mission to find him. Sloan's agenda only gradually becomes clear to us, as he navigates a tricky, treacherous web of former acquaintances, trying to locate his former lover and fellow activist (Julie Christie, phenomenal in a comeback of sorts). Old wounds are slashed open, the law closes in, and Nick wrestles with the notion that despite the good he tried to do in his idealistic youth, he is indirectly responsible for bloodshed. It's enthralling to watch Redford play this man in his twilight years trying to put things right, waist deep in decades of acting experience, supported by an amazing script and a supporting cast that you couldn't dream up . There's memorable appearances from Stanley Tucci, Richard Jenkins, Brit Marling, Stephen Root, Susan Sarandon, Anna Kendrick, Brendan Gleeson, Sam Elliott, Susan Hogan and Nick Nolte, all in top form. For a thriller that takes itself seriously, takes its time building character and suspense, and sets itself in a realistic, believable tale that completely engrosses you, look no further.

I missed this when it first came out. It never made the theaters in my area. It wasn't well-publicized so I passed over it at the video store. I wish someone would have recommended this to me. This is better than you would expect. The cast is UNBELIEVABLE!! So many good actors who have aged and fit the characters of 1970s underground terrorists perfectly. Robert Redford's directing has always had a bit of heavy drama that isn't necessary, but for the most part this is a very good political thriller in the vein of "All The President's Men" set in modern times.Basic plot: Redford is a well-respected, recently-widowed attorney in New York with a young daughter. A woman is arrested in a nearby town for a bank robbery from 30 years prior and went underground with several other players from that era - including Redford. Suddenly, a tenacious young reporter starts tracking the story and ends up opening a can of worms where domino upon domino falls pushing Redford into hiding and ultimately into revealing a past he might wish had stayed hidden.The acting is first-rate by all involved. I think Redford is really too old to have an 11yo daughter, but that is minor in the scope of the story. The political cat-and-mouse game between the underground members who can't even trust each other at this late date, the dogged FBI who have never stopped looking for them, and the ever-present reporter create a whirlwind of intrigue of "did he/didn't he" until all the pieces start falling into place. The story bobs and weaves through several venues and gives a believability to how difficult it must be to live on the lamb for most of your life. Once you create a family and want to settle down into normalcy must be such a weight and would be heartbreaking to see it blown apart for past transgressions.Kudos to all the actors who were willing to go on screen past their glory years. It added an element of realism we don't get much anymore in today's glamourized Hollywood blockbusters with all the pretty people. This is one I am very thankful I picked up. I will be recommending it to my friends as a good story to keep your interest until the very end. It is well worth your time.