The Business of Strangers

Drinking, drugs, and deception cause two worlds to collide with a hurried bang and undying after shocks. Stockard Channing stars as Ms. Hard-Headed Corporate Executive with portfolios and presentations who meets a young cocky brat (Julia Stiles) with control issues and rebellious obsessions. The two mix and mingle with their psychological mind games and acute polarities like milk and battery acid creating an entertaining dynamic that unfortunately subsides when Act 2 gets bogged down by weak vengeance. Despite writer/director Patrick Stettner's apparent shot of novocaine to the brain, all other elements in this film work, especially the stand out performances by the two leading ladies.