The Company
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The Company is a movie about the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago. It was released on December 25, 2003 in the United States and around the world in the first half of 2004. The movie is directed by Robert Altman and stars Neve Campbell who also co-wrote and co-produced the film. Malcolm McDowell gives a strong performance as Alberto Antonelli, the Ballet's artistic director.
The movie is composed of stories gathered from the actual dancers, choreographers, and office staff of the Joffrey Ballet. As a result, the movie is as close to a true "slice-of-life" film as a movie can be. Most of the roles are played by real-life company members. While there are small subplots involving a love story between Neve's character 'Rye' and James Franco's character, most of the movie focuses on the company as a whole, without any real star or linear plot. The many real-life stories woven together show the dedication and hard work that dancers must put in to their art, even though they are seldom rewarded with fame, fortune, or even a statue, painting, or album on which to look back.
It has been reported that The Company has been an idea of Campbell's for a long time – she began her career as a ballet dancer. Robert Altman was reportedly to be reluctant to take on the directing of the movie initially, but later relented.
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The Company is also a common name for the CIA.