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Rating:  - Baryshnikov and Hackman save the day
I watched this despite bad reviews because I really wanted to see Baryshnikov in a feature film like this. And he does a great job. I'm wondering why Hollywood never offered him more roles like this over the years, since he's really quite good at it. Despite the chemistry of the actors, the movie is just very hokey and pointless. They try to make the story interesting by alluding to the extent of corruption within the U.S. government, but I think that's all common knowledge these days and not really that shocking anymore. I was amused throughout the movie that the CIA and Russia were upset about losing 2 million dollars, because I kept thinking of scenes in Austin Powers when everyone is laughing at Dr. Evil for thinking 1 million dollars was a lot of money... In short, this movie was just kind of juvenile and nothing extraordinary. Baryshnikov fans should be pleased though.
Rating:  - Spy movie.
I have watched some of this and can't understand what is going on. The movie is boring and plotless. Nevertheless it is entertaining because of the acting. Both actors were wonderful to see, especially if you are a Baryshnikov fan. Gene Hackman was very absorbing to watch in the film. I also enjoyed the filming which was in different countries. It was a nice way to relax, even though I don't consider it a good movie. Still, it was entertaining.
Rating:  - Enjoyable Junk
Company Business is anything, but a serious spy thriller. Even though Hollywood heavies: Gene Hackman & Mikhail Baryshnikov are present, they just here to have fun. It's a junky little film that is preposterous, and yet enjoyable at the same time. If you feel like seeing a very light entertainment, take a look at Company Business.
Rating:  - Enjoyable & great teaming
Yes, this "Company Business" is a bit hokey and implausible, but I enjoyed it for the one time teaming of Gene Hackman with Mikhail Baryshnikov. Hackman is right in his element and delivers a solid performance. Baryshnikov is also quite good in one of the few if only film roles where he isn't a dancer. The plot isn't a total dud by any means and has a lot of twists and turns (even if you don't want to examine any of this too closely) along with a least one double-cross, which keeps it moving along and kept me guessing the outcome the first time I saw it. But hey, what James Bond plot is plausible either so I think this is a film you really tune in to see first and foremost because you like the stars and want to see the two of them. But if you don't like Hackman or Baryshnikov, then don't waste your time.
Rating: - Business without much profit.
The ultimate example of Hollywood acknowledging the end of the cold war era. CIA and KGB agents racing around Europe together hunting down two of their own men. Due to a few mess-ups that are too long winded to get into, Gene Hackman and Mikhail Baryshinov end up running around Berlin at about 4 O'clock in the morning with two million dollars and a road map that neither can read. Hackman is, as always, Brilliant as the "old guy" ex CIA agent called back into service to oversee the swap of a former KGB agent for an American being held in Russia. The film itself though lacks any plausibility. For example, we see the chief of the CIA and his Russian equivalent marching up and down stairwells in the Eiffel Tower, dodging bullets and intimidating witnesses on shady street corners at knife point and, in the dark! Realistic? Definitely not. If this is meant to be a comedy then its simply not funny. If its meant to be serious espionage stuff, then just watch it to see the lack of common sense thought that went into its making. Why the 3 stars? The acting all round is fairly convincing (espicially Hackman) and the basic plot is original. Unfortunately though the film doesn't live up to a storyline which could have showed a lot of potential.
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