# AntiTrust (2001)

### reviewed by
Bob Bloom

Antitrust (2001) 2 1/2 stars out of 4. Starring Ryan Phillippe, Rachael Leigh Cook, Claire Forlani, Tim Robbins, Douglas McFerran and Richard Roundtree. Written by Howard Franklin. Directed by Peter Howitt.

Computer geeks take heart. You have been elevated in the cinematic world to the level of dashing romantic hero, able to perform Bondian derring-do, while keeping you wind-swept, but somewhat disheveled hair perfectly coiffed.

Now you are the savior of the common man, the everyday computer user, whom you are protecting from the big, bad nefarious computer designers out to make millions off the latest technology, even if it means committing murder.

My, how things have changed. A few years ago men such as Bill Gates were admired, almost worshipped. They were the good guys who were making our lives easier through their various innovations.

Today, they are the villains who rob, steal and kill in order to corner the software marketplace. Thus we now have Antitrust in which young hunk Ryan Phillippeís Milo is a computer genius recruited out of college by a Gates-type named Gary Winston (Tim Robbins), who needs the young manís expertise to help him complete an ambitious project ó Synapse.

And what is Synapse? Merely a program that, using satellites, will link every computer, TV screen, cell phone and any other electric gizmo and gadget worldwide.

The entire affair sounds like silly hokum, and, to be truthful, it is. But itís also fun, not something to be taken seriously as some dire warning about the perils of computer technology or even about monopolies.

The paranoids in the audience will have a field day with Antitrust. Every time one of them turns on his or her computer screen, they will begin looking over their respective shoulders.

The story, written by Howard Franklin, was inspired, according to Antitrustís press kit, ìwith the personalities and machinations at the core of the computer software industry. He was intrigued by the fiercely competitive search for The Next Big Thing ... and ... the intense power struggles between huge computer corporations and young geniuses in garages who can potentially put the big guys out of business with one great idea.î

Of course, Franklin merely used a traditional thriller plot substituting software for the latest deadly weapon or miracle drug. But, as I said, this is no cursory warning about the evils of the computer software industry. Itís merely an amusement park ride with various twists and turns to hold the audienceís attention.

Antitrust is a smooth, sleek little B-programmer with sharp performances by Phillippe, Robbins, Rachael Leigh Cook and Claire Forlani.

After viewing this movie, the status of computer geeks is moving up. So guys, better brush up on those social skills, the chicks are going to be banging down your doors.

Now, how about a movie in which a small-town film critic saves the world ... Naw, no one would believe it.

Bob Bloom is the film critic at the Journal and Courier in Lafayette, IN. He can be reached by e-mail at bloom@journal-courier.com. Other reviews by Bloom can be found at www.jconline.com at golafayette. Reviews by Bloom also can be found on the Web at the Internet Movie Database: http://www.imdb.com/M/reviews_by?Bob+Bloom

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