I gave this film 8 out of 10 points, but I automatically give any film with Julia Stiles at least a 7. She is always sultry and seductive and here is no exception. She is the Lauren Bacall of our time.Anyways, I have to agree with those that saw this as a taunt female thriller of the "Single White Female" variety. I have to disagree that the ending is unsatisfactory in comparison to that movie. This movie simply moves back into a realistic mode, instead of going for a psycho-bloodbath and gore finish.The movie really reminded me of David Mamet's writing. It is the surprise revelations about the characters that happen every couple of minutes that keep you fascinated throughout. That you have two great actresses playing here keeps things together.I found it filled with enough fun and unexpected moments to recommend it. It doesn't make you jump to the edge of your seat, but it does make you lean forward a few times.

For a film that is focused on character performances, this is excellent. I have worked around many 40-something silicon valley female executives and Stockard Channing nails the part to the point of an Academy-Award level performance. I *hated* Julia Stiles character, which is what the director intended, I believe, so she did well too. It is an interesting study of people, not a perfect movie by any means, but if I were the director, or an actor, I'd be proud.Seeing Stockard Channing's icy response to her promotion to CEO - while expecting she'd get fired, was so perfect for the up and down positions in high-tech companies. Remember this was made during the dot-bomb market. Her playful time at the gym and pool (and the elevator discussion about the *black* dildo) with Julie Stiles was so typical of women (or men) trying to bridge the generational gap.

Businesswoman (Channing) who has sacrificed her emotional well-being for corporate success unwisely allows herself to be taken in by the manipulative lies of sociopathic young underling (Stiles) while traveling. Rather improbably, the two hatch plans to assault and sexually humiliate the young male recruiter (Weller) for no apparent reason other than antipathy to his masculinity, also lodged in their hotel. This procedure is a very risky business indeed, as the young man could have a fatal reaction to the alarming combination of drugs and alcohol foisted on him. Viewers should become very edgy as this sequence of mean-spirited events transpires with the never remote possibility of dire consequences ensuing. By film's end,ironically, the hapless male victim is the only one of the three who remains unscathed and left with his innocence relatively intact through unconsciousness. The new female CEO, however, is now left to face some disturbing and unpleasant truths about herself.

Stockard Channing balances toughness and vulnerability in this intimate glimpse of how deception digs its hooks into a hard-driving corporate executive who meets a cool bohemian (Julia Stiles) with a plan and decides to go along for the ride.There's an uneasy and unconvincing bonding between the two - not the buddy kind of Thelma and Louise - that puts this story on edge. Channing brings as much life to her character as possible, yet the path she follows doesn't ring true. While she has reached a pinnacle in her career that leads to the inevitable, "What now?" question, her falling in with the Stiles character doesn't make a good enough answer.It could be the basic incongruity of this camaraderie, though, that makes it a viable thriller. I wanted to yell, "No, don't do it!" to each of the main characters at various times. And I felt that sense of dread when things started the inevitable downward spiral from bad to worse.These bad-to-worse actions of the two main characters can elicit a squirmy discomfort on the part of the viewer. Sometimes the movie's just too hard to watch. Yes, there's tension and excitement. But there's also a little too much mean-spirited violent behavior (not necessarily raw violence) that makes for difficult viewing.The movie feels like a stage play, demanding that the dialog carry the story. Unfortunately, it lacks wit and compassion, and the thin plot and weak resolution don't help out any. The best part is Channing. 6 stars.