Python Hyena The Associate (1996): Dir: Donald Petrie / Cast: Whoopi Goldberg, Diane Wiest, Tim Daly, Bebe Neuwirth, Eli Wallach: A woman disguises herself as a male to prove a point. The title regards someone who doesn't exist. In this case the screenwriter. It stars Whoopi Goldberg as a hard working woman on Wall Street who quits her job after a scheming male broker received the promotion due her. She attempts Wall Street elsewhere but her gender creates a problem so she invents Robert S. Cutty. After a makeup job she is able to carry out meetings but he gets the credit. When things get really out of hand she is assisted by her secretary in in staging Cutty's death, which lands them both in jail. Director Donald Petrie does his best with the unoriginal material. Whoopi Goldberg holds her own despite the predictable outcome, and Diane Wiest elevates the standard role of secretary to amusing levels that payoff. Tim Daly is cardboard as the schemer whom took Goldberg's opportunity. His role is pretty straight forward and about as boring as a class speech. Also appearing is Bebe Neuwirth who is sexually interested in Cutty but again, the role is lifeless. Finally veteran Eli Wallach makes a wasted appearance to remind us that we need to see his earlier roles. Theme exposes male chauvinism that fails as a screenplay but big fans of Goldberg will likely associate best with it. Score: 6 / 10

jotix100 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.

eastern_fate I gave this movie a 10 not because it's perfect, not because it's the best movie I've seen, but because the way it made me feel when I watched it. I love Whoopi and she does a great job in this movie, as she does on any other movie she made. Her personality just shines. I used to think that "actors" can really learn any role and they can be whoever they were needed to be. But Whoopi fits this role perfectly. I couldn't have thought of a better actress to fit the character.The movie is funny. The bad guy always gets it and it has a happy ending. Sounds a bit cliché, but isn't that how we all want it to end? This is a perfect screening for the stay-at-home moms or housewives.

FilmLabRat 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.