The Company You Keep

The Company You Keep is a 2012 political thriller directed and starred by the accomplished Hollywood star Robert Redford. The film is based on the novel of the same name written by Neil Gordon. It frames a complex web of mystery, political history, and personal intrigue, thriving in the grey area of morality.

Robert Redford plays the role of Jim Grant, an Albany attorney, and a single father leading an ordinary life. However, his steadfast lifestyle takes a sudden turn when his true identity, which he has veiled for over 30 years, comes to light. He is, in reality, a former 1970s antiwar radical who is now wanted for a murder charge. The revelation is triggered by the aggressive investigation of a brash, enterprising reporter, Ben Shepard, played by the mercuric Shia LaBeouf.

This fierce probing into a forgotten past makes Grant reluctantly abandon his daughter Isabel, portrayed by Jackie Evancho for a cross-country manhunt to clear his name. With the FBI hot on his trail, Grant finds himself ensnared in a cat-and-mouse chase. As the plot unfolds, it skilfully exposits the intersection between personal sacrifice, the lengths one might go to safeguard one's identity, and the desperate measures taken in the name of viewed justice.

Stanley Tucci delivers a stellar performance as Ray Fuller, Ben Shepard's no-nonsense editor, who despite being initially dismissive of Ben’s story, eventually sees the newsworthiness of the investigation when the fugitive's true identity is unmasked. Brit Marling graces the screen as the young Rebecca Osborne, who further complicates the plot with her secretive and tightly intertwined past with Jim Grant.

The movie’s strength lies in its ensemble cast, which also includes Julie Christie, Susan Sarandon, Terrence Howard, Anna Kendrick, and Nick Nolte, who deliver commendable performances. These exceptional actors move the narrative along swiftly, helping to highlight the inherent idealism and disappointments embedded in the character. Together, they bring multiple layers to the story, which would only have been possible through their shared screen chemistry and unique interpretation of their complex roles. The film's true delight is seeing these multiple generations of performers interact, each bringing their distinctive experience and talent to this multifaceted narrative.

Despite the contemporary setting, The Company You Keep also serves as an in-depth exploration of the consequential shadow of the past, particularly the radicalism of the 1970s. It provides a thought-provoking commentary on the passion, politics, and protests of the era while resonating with prevailing issues in modern society. The movie deftly utilizes history to examine the notions of identity, justice, loyalty, and the blurred lines between the law and morality.

Though it's wrapped in the rush of a fugitive thriller, the movie's deeper focus is on the peculiar character study of a man caught between two lives — one constructed for survival, the other his true past, which he must confront. It continuously raises the question of how far one would go to protect the truths that define their existence.

Lending an authentic, almost retrograde vibe to the movie, Redford’s direction excels in building suspense while not losing touch with the human element of the story. The locations are akin to characters themselves, fitting seamlessly into the narrative and adding to the overall cinematic atmosphere.

Camera work and cinematography further accentuate the mood and tension of the film, as it traces the protagonist journey from the suburbs of Albany to the wilderness of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Redford masterly deploys a moody and brooding atmosphere that sucks the audience into the world of the characters while creating an enveloping sense of suspense throughout the viewing experience.

The Company You Keep fuses a penetrating look at aging radicals, with flashes of their young, idealistic selves, with a high-stakes manhunt. It's not just a political thriller, but it's also an intriguing exploration of American history, a deep character study and a well-crafted piece of cinema entertainment. It will keep you glued to your seat with its intelligent narrative, superb performances, and skillful direction. It's a provocative reminder that the past is never dead; it isn't even past, especially when secrets refuse to keep.