What a beautiful movie!

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

Go in cold, and you're likely to emerge with your blood boiling. This has to be seen to be believed.

This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama

Never having seen this film, we decided to take a chance with it. We were quite surprised to learn this Hollywood film is based on a French one, "L'associe", written for the screen by Jean Claude Carriere and based on Jenaro Prieto's novel "El Socio". Daniel Petrie, its director is working with Nick Thiel's adaptation, which appears to have been a vehicle for its star, Whoopi Goldberg.Some comments have compared this movie with "Working Girl", a film that also dealt with a smart woman working in the financial world, one of the themes in "The Associate". We are introduced to an intelligent woman, Laurel Ayers, who happens to have three things going against her, she is black, a woman, and is intelligent enough to merit a promotion in the Wall Street firm she works for. Unfortunately, it comes as no surprise that Laurel is passed and her co-worker, Frank, gets the good job and becomes her boss.The film is mildly funny, as Laurel goes to make a name for herself by creating a "silent" partner, Mr. Cutty, who is never seen. The financial world is all in a frenzy to meet him, and the hilarious appearance at the Plaza Hotel, instead of making things clear, contributes to his myth.Ms. Goldberg is delightful to watch. Dianne Wiest makes an impressive appearance as the loyal Sally, who is an under appreciated woman. Timothy Daly is perfect as the egotistical Frank. The supporting cast is good. Bebe Neuwirth, Eli Wallach, Austin Pendelton, and a funny Lanie Kazan as a financial gossip writer.While the film is predictable, it offers some funny moments.

I just saw The Associate yesterday for the first time. I'm not really sure I ever even heard of it before, but my reaction was WHAT A FILM, HOW DID I EVER MISS THIS ONE! Whoopi, as always, did a great job, this time portraying a smart, hard-working financial whiz who must resort to subterfuge in order to get the "props" that have otherwise eluded her. The clever script and wonderful array of characters made this an enjoyable viewing experience. I especially enjoyed Kenny Kerr's character. Simply Beautiful! Austin Pendleton, Bebe Neuwirth, Dianne Wiest, Tim Daly, and Eli Wallach each contributed to the fun. I hated to see it end. Let's hope Whoopi makes more films of this ilk.

Don't usually like Whoopie starrers, but she really does herself proud in this funny but sadly true account of discrimination against women in the business world (and others - academic, entertainment, etc.). Amusing and clever film, but you have to be a working woman to really appreciate its truth and poetic justice.

I just saw this movie and it was pretty funny. It would've probably been better to me if I worked at Wall St. because through the whole beginning of the movie, it deals with Wall St. type of stuff. But as the movie went on it got to be funny and then I began to understand it more. Whoopi Goldberg wasn't as funny or as good as I thought she would be. I found her to be a bit boring at times and she looked as though she didn't want to do that movie. However, Dianne Wiest came in and saved the whole movie. I completely loved her as Sally, Whoopi's eager assistant. The credit goes to her and a little to Whoopi. I thought Whoppi was funny when she dressed up as Robert Cutter. This movie was pretty good overall with a sort of Mrs. Doubtfire look to it!!