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HOW TO SUCCEED BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING (Zgamer of Eagle, Idaho)
Directed and choreographed by: Adam Shankman
Written by: Leslie Dixon and Michael Arndt
Based on the musical written by: Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock and Willie Gilbert
Cinematography by: Bojan Bazelli
Art Direction by: David Gropman and Dennis Davenport
Costumes by: Rita Ryack
Edited by: Michael Tronick
Cast
Zac Efron as J. Pierripont “Ponti” Finch
Evan Rachel Wood as Rosemary Pilkington
Corey Monteith as Bud Frump
Steve Martin as J.B. Biggley
Emma Stone as Smitty
Lauren Ambrose as Hedy LaRue
Gweneth Paltrow as Miss Jones
James Marston as Bert Bratt
Jeff Davis as Mr. Milton Gatch
Matthew Broderick as Mr. Twimble
Chip Esten, Matthew Morrison, Rashida Jones and Gillian Jacobs as Coworkers
John Travolta as Wally Womper, Chairman of World Wide Wicket
Don Lemon as Narrator of the Book
Song List
Opening- Finch, Narrator (voice-over)
How to Succeed – Finch
Happy to Keep His Dinner Warm - Rosemary
Coffee Break - Bud, Smitty, & Chorus
The Company Way - Finch & Twimble
The Company Way (Reprise) - Bud & Coworkers
A Secretary is Not a Toy - Bratt, Chorus, & Bud
Been a Long Day - Smitty, Finch, & Rosemary
Been a Long Day (Reprise)- Bud, JB Biggley, & Hedy LaRue
Grand Old Ivy - Finch & Biggley
Paris Original - Rosemary, Smitty & Girls
Rosemary - Finch & Rosemary
How to Succeed (Reprise)- Smitty & Girls
Happy to Keep His Dinner Warm (Reprise) - Rosemary
Love From a Heart of Gold - Biggley & Hedy
I Believe in You - Finch & Men
I Believe in You (Reprise) - Rosemary
Brotherhood of Man - Finch, Miss Jones, Wally Womper, & Men
Finale: The Company Way - Company
Tagline: This book is all that you need!
Synopsis
The 1960’s are coming into fruition and J. Pierrepont Finch realizes being a window washer for New York City skyscrapers will not get him far. He hears there is room at the top of big business and all he needs is the right guidance. Then one day, he stumbles upon a stray book entitled How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. A chapter in and Finch is ready to take on the corporate world. His search for success steers him to World Wide Wicket, a company big enough that no one knows what the person next to them actually does. With the book’s advice and some smooth talking, he lands himself a starter job at the mailroom and the love of the secretary Rosemary, who is quite convinced he is the man of her dreams. Though he appreciates the support, Finch has his sights aimed high and knows (thanks to a helpful caution in chapter five) that one must advance from the mailroom immediately or become a company drone like the mailroom head Mr. Twimble.
Of course, World Wide Wicket will not make things easy for Finch. Off the bat, he has unwittingly made a nemesis with the boss’s arrogant and nepotism dependent nephew Bud Frump, who is equally determined to outwit Finch to the cushy job. Finch must also win over the boss J.B. Biggley, a hardened, successful and ruthless businessman who might still be a college lad at heart. An unintentionally blossoming romance between him and Rosemary, fueled by Rosemary’s supportive if cynical secretary friend Smitty, also clouds Finch’s resolve as he wrestles with the admittedly pleasing idea of them maybe being an item. That is not all, as Finch’s climb to the top will have to face the company’s yes man Bert Bratt, Biggley’s watchdog secretary Miss Jones, a wisecracking executive named Gatch with a weakness for women, the head of advertising with an overly formal name and Biggley’s sultry though nimble brained mistress Hedy protected in the office as a “secretary.”
However, Finch will not let this much work get in his way of his desire to not work. He has the book, his wits and his irrepressible determination to drive him forward. However, as the book starts to run out of chapters and some unforeseen disasters arise, Finch will have to think quick to tip the scales in his balance or he will have to once again review the first chapter: “How to find a job”…
What the Press Would Say
What a charming little film this turned out to be. When this newest version of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying was announced, it was hard to fault the early skeptics. The comments were made in numerous ways, primarily towards its “outdated” 60’s satire and lighter approach to subjects covered by more serious work like Mad Men. Yet, this film has worked those criticisms to its advantages. It is not trying to be a hard-hitting commentary as much as it is a nostalgic reminder to current audiences how timeless classic Broadway can still be. With spirited direction, terrific renditions of the classic music and an extremely talented cast, “How to Succeed” has earned a spot as an audience and critical darling.
In adapting the Pulitzer and Tony winning show, Shankman and team have worked overtime to capture its inherent charm while keeping it engaging for a modern audience. The way the story is told serves as a humorous and nostalgic look at the absurdities of the 60’s business and social world, including office romances, outlandish fashion, nepotism, corporate policies and good old-fashioned sexism. Clocking just over two hours, the careful trimming of the script and songs keeps the flow smooth and seamless. The vast majority of the script’s witty dialogue, great characterizations and tongue in cheek attitude are still in full force. Whether its the curious romance between the success hungry Finch and the romantic but headstrong Rosemary or the humorous power competition between Finch and Frump, the lovable personalities and plot developments carry you from its upbeat intro to its show-stopping finale. Shankman shows a surprising understanding of comedic timing like he did in “Hairspray”, with the proper pauses, inflections and wordings that emulate classic screwball comedies and satire. From Mr. Biggley’s memorable one-liners to the humorous advice from the “How to” book (narrated with matter-of-fact deadpan by CNN’s Don Lemon), you will find plenty to keep you chuckling.
The real draw, of course, is the music and how it is portrayed. Shankman’s direction is mostly focused on the idea that something is always happening. When songs call for exquisite choreography, his fancy footwork and kinetic dance routines in scenes like “Brotherhood of Man” are stunning. The camerawork always manages to keep perspective on where our focus is while also pointing out the intricate amount of background details sprinkled in to the scene (notice the posters and what the minor characters are doing in many scenes). He also likes to use his colorful sets to experiment with certain numbers, including the fun and flirty “Been a Long Day” in an increasingly crowded elevator and somehow turning a conference room into the scene of an epic tap-dance sequence. There is palpable energy being displayed and you should not feel surprised if you are very inclined to tap your toes to the songs.
The star-studded cast perpetuates all of this along. Efron effortlessly carries the film playing the lovable yet conniving Finch with a sense of innocent mischief. Audiences could find it hard to like Finch, as he is pretty much using charm, lies and manipulation of intriguing (and humorous) loopholes to cause the downfall of others. Yet when the trouble starts to rise, you will be surprised how much you want to see Efron get out of this mess. Wood also shines as the lovely Rosemary, sharing a natural chemistry with Efron through their complicated romance. She has a nice vocal range as well, with great solo work in “Happy to Keep his Dinner Warm” and great duet work in “Rosemary”. Stone wields her snark with precision while wearing her proper secretary appearance nicely, Montieth balances the line between spoiled man-child and clever schemer, Paltrow shows some impressive dancing skills, Travolta shows up for an entertaining cameo and Broderick, who formerly played Finch on Broadway, stands out in a bit role with his version of “The Company Way.” The two actors garnering special praise, however, are Martin and Ambrose. Martin returns to top form as the big boss Mr. Biggley, using no-nonsense deadpan and snappy quips to garner the best laughs in the film. He is also quite a good singer, with a rousing rendition of “Grand Old Ivy” that any former college fan could appreciate. Ambrose surprises many here with her entertaining performance as a sultry office bimbo. She oozes sex appeal while having several stand out laughs (watch what happens when Hedy is caught up in the big advertising campaign). Her duet with Martin shows how she can mold her comedic delivery with her nice singing voice.
“How to Succeed” was never intended to revolutionize the musical. It was made as a loving tribute to the classic and a fun vehicle for audiences to enjoy in this day and age. As of now, it seems this film followed its “How to Succeed” book nicely!
Award Potential
Best Picture (Samuel J. Brown, Michael Disco and Adam Shankman)
Best Director (Adam Shankman)
Best Actor (Zac Efron)
Best Actress (Evan Rachel Wood)
Best Supporting Actor (Steve Martin)
Best Supporting Actor (Corey Monteith)
Best Supporting Actress (Lauren Ambrose)
Best Adapted Screenplay (Leslie Dixon and Michael Arndt)
Best Cinematography (Bojan Bazelli)
Best Art Direction (David Gropman and Dennis Davenport)
Best Costume Design (Rita Ryack)
Best Editing (Michael Tronick)
Best Sound Mixing (Susan Dawes and David MacMillan)
Written by: Leslie Dixon and Michael Arndt
Based on the musical written by: Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock and Willie Gilbert
Cinematography by: Bojan Bazelli
Art Direction by: David Gropman and Dennis Davenport
Costumes by: Rita Ryack
Edited by: Michael Tronick
Cast
Zac Efron as J. Pierripont “Ponti” Finch
Evan Rachel Wood as Rosemary Pilkington
Corey Monteith as Bud Frump
Steve Martin as J.B. Biggley
Emma Stone as Smitty
Lauren Ambrose as Hedy LaRue
Gweneth Paltrow as Miss Jones
James Marston as Bert Bratt
Jeff Davis as Mr. Milton Gatch
Matthew Broderick as Mr. Twimble
Chip Esten, Matthew Morrison, Rashida Jones and Gillian Jacobs as Coworkers
John Travolta as Wally Womper, Chairman of World Wide Wicket
Don Lemon as Narrator of the Book
Song List
Opening- Finch, Narrator (voice-over)
How to Succeed – Finch
Happy to Keep His Dinner Warm - Rosemary
Coffee Break - Bud, Smitty, & Chorus
The Company Way - Finch & Twimble
The Company Way (Reprise) - Bud & Coworkers
A Secretary is Not a Toy - Bratt, Chorus, & Bud
Been a Long Day - Smitty, Finch, & Rosemary
Been a Long Day (Reprise)- Bud, JB Biggley, & Hedy LaRue
Grand Old Ivy - Finch & Biggley
Paris Original - Rosemary, Smitty & Girls
Rosemary - Finch & Rosemary
How to Succeed (Reprise)- Smitty & Girls
Happy to Keep His Dinner Warm (Reprise) - Rosemary
Love From a Heart of Gold - Biggley & Hedy
I Believe in You - Finch & Men
I Believe in You (Reprise) - Rosemary
Brotherhood of Man - Finch, Miss Jones, Wally Womper, & Men
Finale: The Company Way - Company
Tagline: This book is all that you need!
Synopsis
The 1960’s are coming into fruition and J. Pierrepont Finch realizes being a window washer for New York City skyscrapers will not get him far. He hears there is room at the top of big business and all he needs is the right guidance. Then one day, he stumbles upon a stray book entitled How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. A chapter in and Finch is ready to take on the corporate world. His search for success steers him to World Wide Wicket, a company big enough that no one knows what the person next to them actually does. With the book’s advice and some smooth talking, he lands himself a starter job at the mailroom and the love of the secretary Rosemary, who is quite convinced he is the man of her dreams. Though he appreciates the support, Finch has his sights aimed high and knows (thanks to a helpful caution in chapter five) that one must advance from the mailroom immediately or become a company drone like the mailroom head Mr. Twimble.
Of course, World Wide Wicket will not make things easy for Finch. Off the bat, he has unwittingly made a nemesis with the boss’s arrogant and nepotism dependent nephew Bud Frump, who is equally determined to outwit Finch to the cushy job. Finch must also win over the boss J.B. Biggley, a hardened, successful and ruthless businessman who might still be a college lad at heart. An unintentionally blossoming romance between him and Rosemary, fueled by Rosemary’s supportive if cynical secretary friend Smitty, also clouds Finch’s resolve as he wrestles with the admittedly pleasing idea of them maybe being an item. That is not all, as Finch’s climb to the top will have to face the company’s yes man Bert Bratt, Biggley’s watchdog secretary Miss Jones, a wisecracking executive named Gatch with a weakness for women, the head of advertising with an overly formal name and Biggley’s sultry though nimble brained mistress Hedy protected in the office as a “secretary.”
However, Finch will not let this much work get in his way of his desire to not work. He has the book, his wits and his irrepressible determination to drive him forward. However, as the book starts to run out of chapters and some unforeseen disasters arise, Finch will have to think quick to tip the scales in his balance or he will have to once again review the first chapter: “How to find a job”…
What the Press Would Say
What a charming little film this turned out to be. When this newest version of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying was announced, it was hard to fault the early skeptics. The comments were made in numerous ways, primarily towards its “outdated” 60’s satire and lighter approach to subjects covered by more serious work like Mad Men. Yet, this film has worked those criticisms to its advantages. It is not trying to be a hard-hitting commentary as much as it is a nostalgic reminder to current audiences how timeless classic Broadway can still be. With spirited direction, terrific renditions of the classic music and an extremely talented cast, “How to Succeed” has earned a spot as an audience and critical darling.
In adapting the Pulitzer and Tony winning show, Shankman and team have worked overtime to capture its inherent charm while keeping it engaging for a modern audience. The way the story is told serves as a humorous and nostalgic look at the absurdities of the 60’s business and social world, including office romances, outlandish fashion, nepotism, corporate policies and good old-fashioned sexism. Clocking just over two hours, the careful trimming of the script and songs keeps the flow smooth and seamless. The vast majority of the script’s witty dialogue, great characterizations and tongue in cheek attitude are still in full force. Whether its the curious romance between the success hungry Finch and the romantic but headstrong Rosemary or the humorous power competition between Finch and Frump, the lovable personalities and plot developments carry you from its upbeat intro to its show-stopping finale. Shankman shows a surprising understanding of comedic timing like he did in “Hairspray”, with the proper pauses, inflections and wordings that emulate classic screwball comedies and satire. From Mr. Biggley’s memorable one-liners to the humorous advice from the “How to” book (narrated with matter-of-fact deadpan by CNN’s Don Lemon), you will find plenty to keep you chuckling.
The real draw, of course, is the music and how it is portrayed. Shankman’s direction is mostly focused on the idea that something is always happening. When songs call for exquisite choreography, his fancy footwork and kinetic dance routines in scenes like “Brotherhood of Man” are stunning. The camerawork always manages to keep perspective on where our focus is while also pointing out the intricate amount of background details sprinkled in to the scene (notice the posters and what the minor characters are doing in many scenes). He also likes to use his colorful sets to experiment with certain numbers, including the fun and flirty “Been a Long Day” in an increasingly crowded elevator and somehow turning a conference room into the scene of an epic tap-dance sequence. There is palpable energy being displayed and you should not feel surprised if you are very inclined to tap your toes to the songs.
The star-studded cast perpetuates all of this along. Efron effortlessly carries the film playing the lovable yet conniving Finch with a sense of innocent mischief. Audiences could find it hard to like Finch, as he is pretty much using charm, lies and manipulation of intriguing (and humorous) loopholes to cause the downfall of others. Yet when the trouble starts to rise, you will be surprised how much you want to see Efron get out of this mess. Wood also shines as the lovely Rosemary, sharing a natural chemistry with Efron through their complicated romance. She has a nice vocal range as well, with great solo work in “Happy to Keep his Dinner Warm” and great duet work in “Rosemary”. Stone wields her snark with precision while wearing her proper secretary appearance nicely, Montieth balances the line between spoiled man-child and clever schemer, Paltrow shows some impressive dancing skills, Travolta shows up for an entertaining cameo and Broderick, who formerly played Finch on Broadway, stands out in a bit role with his version of “The Company Way.” The two actors garnering special praise, however, are Martin and Ambrose. Martin returns to top form as the big boss Mr. Biggley, using no-nonsense deadpan and snappy quips to garner the best laughs in the film. He is also quite a good singer, with a rousing rendition of “Grand Old Ivy” that any former college fan could appreciate. Ambrose surprises many here with her entertaining performance as a sultry office bimbo. She oozes sex appeal while having several stand out laughs (watch what happens when Hedy is caught up in the big advertising campaign). Her duet with Martin shows how she can mold her comedic delivery with her nice singing voice.
“How to Succeed” was never intended to revolutionize the musical. It was made as a loving tribute to the classic and a fun vehicle for audiences to enjoy in this day and age. As of now, it seems this film followed its “How to Succeed” book nicely!
Award Potential
Best Picture (Samuel J. Brown, Michael Disco and Adam Shankman)
Best Director (Adam Shankman)
Best Actor (Zac Efron)
Best Actress (Evan Rachel Wood)
Best Supporting Actor (Steve Martin)
Best Supporting Actor (Corey Monteith)
Best Supporting Actress (Lauren Ambrose)
Best Adapted Screenplay (Leslie Dixon and Michael Arndt)
Best Cinematography (Bojan Bazelli)
Best Art Direction (David Gropman and Dennis Davenport)
Best Costume Design (Rita Ryack)
Best Editing (Michael Tronick)
Best Sound Mixing (Susan Dawes and David MacMillan)