Fair Play 2023

What an annoying movie. Guy throws a pity party for two hours because his fiancée gets a promotion instead of him.

Have you ever wondered what could happen in your relationship if both are working in the same company and not being able to tell anyone because of company policies and one of you getting promoted? This movie gives you a glimpse of one of the possible scenarios. A wild ride! It certainly isn't a perfect film, but it's interesting as hell. Great performances from the leading actors.

The real enemy in this movie is the mother. But in all seriousness, this is a very good depiction of how a major event can cause a relationship to go from great to bad.

Two employees of an investment firm (Phoebe Dynevor and Alden Ehrenreich) are secretly in a relationship, and then she receives a promotion that they both assumed he would get, with serious repercussions for their personal lives. That's the simple but incredibly effective premise of this intense relationship psychothriller. Of course, everything stands or falls on the chemistry between Dynevor and Ehrenreich, which is truly excellent. The couple starts off in a fairly harmonious place, but then a certain tension slowly builds until it finally escalates completely. Themes such as toxic masculinity, sexism in the workplace, and the dark side of the financial world are dealt with quite pointedly. However, as the story progresses, the characters' actions become increasingly implausible, dampening my enthusiasm. The film also lost its way in the final third. Nevertheless, it's still a pretty decent debut for director Chloe Domont.

If i've never seen Industry on HBO then i'd be more into this. Everything this film attempts, Industry does far superior.

Good acting by Ehrenreich and Dynevor

Good movie. Develops in a way that feels both unexpected and interesting. Good dynamic between the main characters, kinda like in Marriage Story.

great acting and really portrays well the ego clashes between the couple

Still trying to work out why Luke would kneel at his boss? there’s gender stereotypes at play, sexism, feminism, but is there also another dig at…masculinity?

it started out slowly, but it got better and more tense by the minute.

6-10 fair

A fair for fair play…..
Maybe it should be a 7-10 but I just couldn’t stretch it to that…..

Secret Work place romance goes wrong, everything think is fine they are covering their tracks to avoid being found out, until a big promotion arrives for one of them.
The twist for them both is that it’s not for the one of them they thought it would be.
Things start to go sour for the relationship and jealousy creeps in….
My question is would it have been the same if the tables had been turned????
We are lead to believe not, but I’m not so sure?????
I would say the ending, turned the tables for me and I found myself feeling sorry for the guy, yes he was being a bit of an arse and a bit bitter.
But she becomes a complete cow and very unlikable & I came away thinking to myself “run mate, run as far as you can and get away from this cancerous cow”
Even though you weren’t 100% perfect yourself

In a realm of corporate chaos, where the allure of a hefty paycheck is overshadowed by the looming presence of cutthroat colleagues, it's a toxic jungle where every cubicle dweller is a predator vying for dominance. Survival means constantly watching your back, even if it means bowing to the whims of a ruthless boss without a shred of remorse.

In this perilous landscape, emotions are deemed a weakness, a vulnerability to be exploited by those hungry for power. The very fabric of relationships strains under the weight of hierarchical divides, where sharing advice becomes a precarious dance of diplomacy and self-preservation. And when even your boss fails to see the value in your personal connections, secrecy becomes your only refuge.

Blame is a murky game played amidst the chaos, with no clear victor in sight. As tensions reach a boiling point, the temptation to cast someone as the scapegoat grows ever stronger, a desperate bid to maintain the fragile balance of power. Yet, amidst the chaos and the clamor, I couldn't help but view this cesspool of ambition with a mix of disdain and reluctance.

Don’t Shit where you eat.

Had me captivated for the whole duration, but the one sided boyfriend got old after the halfway point. The acting is pretty decent and the ending is somewhat satisfying. Worth watching once, but I’m sure there is better things out there that cover this type of office drama.

ideology at the top is disgusting

This movie is not playful nor bottled into a single setting nor is it particularly erotic. However, it examines power dynamics in a relationship, all centered around a high stakes job. It takes a bit to get going, but when it gets going, it is viscous as it builds up a sense of foreboding as the insidious and subtle incisions spiral into downright terror. Set against in what seems like either a hedge fund or a prop shop, capturing the high octane environment, the pressure, and the toxicity, throwing a couple into the mix and watching their relationship careen wildly across the screen. Alden Ehrenreich builds off his performance in Oppenheimer with an excellent portrayal of a type of character that sorely is missing examination in media, but the real star performance is Phoebe Dynevor whose anxiety is palpable with every movement. This is a stressful and deeply unpleasant movie, but an important one, and I do think if you enjoy examinations of power dynamics in relationships, you should watch this.

I'm in love. I never thought the movie would be this great. The Lady has done well and the guy was too stupid not to see through her eyes. she was really in love --

anyway - it kept me on the verge the whole time.

This was far better than I expected, keeping me on the edge of my seat.
The acting is great, I was pleasantly surprised by Phoebe Dynevor, who I had only seen in Bridgerton before this. The dynamic and chemistry between the leads are also great.
There are some unhinged moments in the movie, but overall, it's unfortunately not far from life. I am surprised that they didn't include another woman trying to drag her down (besides her mother in a way lol) because that is very lifelike as well. Now that I think of it, basically, there aren't any women in the movie besides the lead, only in inferior positions such as strippers and, well, the mother and the extras at the party. That in itself is an interesting feature of this movie, showing that it certainly has more depth than it shows.
I was afraid that the climax (of the movie..) would be a bit messier, and at first, I was skeptical about the very last scene, but overall I think it was a good finish to a good movie.
Now I got to go unwind because I have a mild PTSD after some scenes and dynamics here.

Good but not great.

If the chick's mum were my mother in law I'd hunt her down and disappear her.

The story wasn't bad, and I'm sure some guy's would get bent out of shape if their woman made more money than them, but this guy was just a knob.

7/10

"Fair Play," directed by Chloe Damont, explores the intricate balance between career aspirations and romantic relationships. The film starts slowly, delving into the inner workings of the characters' corporate world, which may not resonate with everyone. However, as the power struggle between Luke and Emily intensifies, the movie's realism and tension become its strengths.

The chemistry between the leads initially feels genuine, but as the story progresses, it erodes, leaving a palpable unease. The film serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of mixing work and personal life, and it's a stark reminder of the importance of keeping these spheres separate. Although it may not be everyone's cup of tea and lacks endearing characters, "Fair Play" offers a dark, high-brow exploration of relationships and ambition. It's a gripping watch that keeps you glued to the screen once it gains momentum. #FairPlayFilm #MovieReview

Wall Street meets 50 Shades Of Grey. Great movie.

Had a lot of potential but didn't quite hit home for me.