My weekend In Good Company in L.A.

I just returned from L.A., where I had an opportunity to participate in a press conference with writer/director Paul Weitz, asking him questions about one of the most enjoyable mainstream comedies of the year, In Good Company, which stars Dennis Quaid, Topher Grace, and Scarlett Johansson.

I also had the privilege of tossing a couple of questions at Quaid and Grace.

And I had the fantastic, inspiring experience of getting better acquainted with many of my fellow religious-press film critics.

I’ll post something more detailed about this soon, but suffice to say that if you liked Weitz’s previous film About a Boy, you’ll probably like this one. It’s an engaging, amusing, and ultimately edifying tale about ethics in business, about the value of a good family, and about investing yourself in what you believe in. Quaid and Grace have good chemistry, and both provide strong performances. If it weren’t for an unfortunate twist that takes pre-marital sex as if it’s a fun and diverting activity, it would be on my year’s best list. As it is, it’s a flawed but entirely worthwhile film.

I stayed at the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills. It was my third visit to that hotel. And let me tell you, the place is like Disneyland. You walk in and see your favorite characters. I sat down in the restaurant and, lo, there was Liam Neeson chatting with someone across the room. The next day, I was taking an elevator down several floors, and who should step in and share the ride but Adam Sandler. I thanked him for Punch-drunk Love, and he seemed surprised, as if he doesn’t often get appreciation for THAT movie.