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      The Business of Strangers

      2001, Drama, 1h 24m

      95 Reviews 2,500+ Ratings

      What to know

      Critics Consensus

      The Business of Strangers showcases a complex, compelling performance by Channing. Her interactions and clashes with Stiles make for riveting viewing. Read critic reviews

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      The Business of Strangers  Photos

      The Business of Strangers (2001) The Business of Strangers (2001) The Business of Strangers (2001) The Business of Strangers (2001) Director Patrick Stettner on the set of THE BUSINESS OF STRANGERS. Stockard Channing stars as Julie Styron in Patrick Stettner's THE BUSINESS OF STRANGERS. Julia Stiles (left) and Stockard Channing (right) in Patrick Stettner's THE BUSINESS OF STRANGERS. Stockard Channing (left) and Julia Stiles (right) in Patrick Stettner's THE BUSINESS OF STRANGERS. Frederick Wellers stars as Nick Harris in Patrick Stettner's THE BUSINESS OF STRANGERS.

      Movie Info

      Julie Styron (Stockard Channing) thinks she is going to be fired, but instead discovers that she is being promoted. Trapped in an airport hotel, she wants to celebrate but finds only the company of her young assistant, Paula Murphy (Julia Stiles). As the night progresses, the two women get to know each other. They flirt, they drink, they lie; personal flaws are revealed and exposed. But at the end of the night their relationship turns and becomes a complex battle of power, authority, and wit.

      • Rating: R (Strong Language|Some Sexuality)

      • Genre: Drama

      • Original Language: English

      • Director: Patrick Stettner

      • Producer: Susan A. Stover, Robert H. Nathan

      • Writer: Patrick Stettner

      • Release Date (Theaters):  wide

      • Release Date (Streaming):

      • Box Office (Gross USA): $1.0M

      • Runtime:

      • Distributor: IFC Films

      • Sound Mix: Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby SR

      • Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

      Cast & Crew

      Julia Stiles
      Mary Testa
      Jack Hallett
      Salem Ludwig
      Shelagh Ratner
      Scott McGehee
      David Siegel
      Ramsey Fong
      Teodoro Maniaci
      Dina Goldman
      Keiko Deguchi
      Dawn Weisberg
      Alex Lasarenko
      Sophia Lin
      Richard Burgess
      Tora Peterson
      Mia Thoen
      Sasha Cummins

      Critic Reviews for The Business of Strangers

      Audience Reviews for The Business of Strangers

      • Mar 31, 2012

        Business of Strangers is yet another smart, if not strange, indie drama from IFC. The dynamic between the two lead actresses, Julia Stiles and Stockard Channing, is engrossing, and helps make the film a powerful and effective character study. The script is strong, and features a number of very interesting dialogue exchanges. I would have liked the running time to be a bit longer, and perhaps give so more insight into Julia Stiles' character. As such, the ending didn't quite work for me. The motivations and supposed apparent vulnerabilities she had earlier in the film seem undermined by an ending that suggests a much different, probably sociopathic, person. So in that respect, the film can be thought of as a bit uneven. Still, predominately effective and always interesting. 3.5/5 stars

        Super Reviewer
      • May 19, 2010

        What was the point of it all???

        Super Reviewer
      • Mar 14, 2009

        A simple stories about strangers who click and seek to get revenge on a man.

        Super Reviewer
      • Jan 21, 2008

        Slight, but interesting. Julia Stiles plays troubled very well!

        Super Reviewer

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