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AntiTrust (2001)
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Genre: |
Suspense |
Director: |
Peter Howitt
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Rating: |
PG-13 |
Running Time: |
110 Minutes |
Release Date: |
January 12, 2001 |
Official Website: |
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Movie Trailer: |
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Discuss and vote: |
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Cast: |
Ryan Phillippe
Tim Robbins
Rachael Leigh Cook
Claire Forlani
Tygh Runyan
Ned Bellamy
Douglas McFerran
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Pickup Line: A Fast-Paced Thriller!
Quickie: When a programming genius from Stanford gets recruited to work for a giant software company, he discovers that the company's success is partly due to a slew of criminal activity. So off he goes to play sleuth/hero. And you thought computer geeks don't have any fun!!
The Long Review:
"AntiTrust" is a fast-paced thriller filled with intrigue, suspense, and twists. It tells the story of Milo Hoffman (Ryan Phillippe), a brilliant computer programmer from Stanford University who is recruited by Gary Winston (Tim Robbins), CEO of NURV, the most successful software company in the world. Winston chose the blond, blue-eyed geek to help him meet the highly anticipated launch date of his pet project, Synapse, the world's first-ever global communication system. Alas, upon joining the company, Milo discovers that there's more to NURV than meets the strained eye. We're talkin' bad stuff. Illegal stuff. Criminal stuff. 'Guess Gary Winston doesn't believe in achieving success via moral means. So Milo takes it upon himself, with the help of his sexy girlfriend, Alice (Claire Forlani), and NURV's prettiest programmer, Lisa (Rachael Leigh Cook), to expose Gary Winston for the geeky felon that he is.
If you think computer programmers don't have any fun, you're wrong! Milo gets to run around, sneak around, and sleep around as he solves the mystery of the century! "AntiTrust" boasts of an engaging story that maintains a fast pace from startup to logoff (Hehehe. Had to get that computer lingo in there!). There isn't really time to breathe, much less reflect, since pretty much every scene is oozing with tension and thrill. And the big twist in the movie is plain delicious. You just don't see it coming! "AntiTrust" may also entice people because of its timely subject matter: In case you haven't heard, there's a software mogul from Seattle named Bill Gates who heads up a certain software company called Microsoft that's been put under fire for breaching antitrust laws. Bill Gates and Gary Winston have a teeny weeny bit in common, that's all. We wonder if Bill Gates is as villainous as that evil Gary Winston?? Ooooh. Wouldn't that make for an interesting trial??
The cast of "AntiTrust" also deserves some credit. Ryan Phillippe plays the part of programming genius turned disillusioned master detective quite well. Tim Robbins does a good job of making us commend and detest him at the same time. Claire Forlani is her usual sultry self, pulling off a flawless American accent. And Rachael Leigh Cook is definitely all that as NURV's user interface programmer who helps Milo stop the bad guys.
Overall, "AntiTrust" is a decent movie that delivers the frills and thrills. Sure, there are a few instances during the film where you just have to shrug and convince yourself that what you see can really happen in real life but the bottom line is, you enjoy the ride. Roger Ebert disagrees, however, saying, "Just when the movie is cooking, the needle tilts over into Too Goofy, which breaks the spell." But hey, the movie's fun! So if you're in the mood for some chilling mystery, controversial issues, and computer chatter, go see it!
In Two Minutes:
Did you know?
- Ryan Phillippe reportedly took home a cool million for starring in "AntiTrust." Hopefully, his million will become multimillions following the success of this film.
- Rachael Leigh Cook appeared in Six Pence Non The Richer's music video "Kiss Me" with "She's All That" costar Freddie Prinze, Jr. Speaking of bands, Rachael's gonna a play the leader of one in her upcoming flick, "Josie and the Pussycats."
- Hmmmm...When Claire Forlani doesn't like a role, she sure shows it! This London-born actress allegedly walked out of the set of "Deep Rising"!
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