Antitrust (PG-13, 2001)

ANTITRUST begins as computer genius Milo Hoffman (Ryan Phillippe) tries to launch a start-up company that he believes will make vast improvements in digital technology. Enter Gary Winston (Tim Robbins), a diabolical software king (the character seems to be based partly on Bill Gates). When Winston makes Milo an offer he can't refuse, the optimistic-yet-naïve young man moves to Silicon Valley with his girlfriend (Claire Forlani) and begins working at Winston's firm, where he collaborates closely with pretty coworker Lisa (Rachael Leigh Cook). But eventually Winston's monopolistic approach to the computer industry becomes clear, and Milo can no longer deny that he's sold out and that his one-time hero is a greedy, controlling megalomaniac.

For some reason American filmmakers never tire of depicting businessman as greedy, conniving, and evil. While there's some high-minded dialogue in which Milo berates Winston for losing his ethics, Antitrust is basically a teen-oriented cyberthriller with gigabytes of tech-talk and the disquieting notion that you can't trust anyone over thirty. Or over $30,000 a year.

Aside from anti-business business, the film suffers from the fact that typing on a keyboard and Saving Files to Root Directory just aren't very exciting visually. But Milo spends much of his time doing just that, fingers flying and eyes wide in close-up. There's a blaring soundtrack to tip us off when something is scary, and flashbacks of events and dialogue that took place only moments before--as if viewers aren't expected to have the attention spans to remember such things.

Studio: MGM/UA
Director: Peter Howitt
Cast: Claire Forlani, Ryan Phillippe, Tim Robbins
Genre: Thriller
Run time: 106 minutes
Theatrical release: December 26, 2001
DVD release: December 26, 2001
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: some violence and brief language