[attrition] review: Movie: Antitrust - 2001

[lyger]

http://attrition.org/~lyger/works/reviews/antitrust.html

>From the opening pre-credit scene, Antitrust sets out to display a rivalry 
between "corporate ideology" and "independent thinking" (let's face it... 
it's Microsoft versus open source). Gary Winston (Tim Robbins), is 
obviously set up to be the Bill Gates of the story (even though Gates is 
referred to as "Bill Who?" early in the movie), while Milo Hoffman (Ryan 
Phillippe) is the hard-working programmer trying his best to advance his 
career by getting a spot with a world-leading software producer, NURV. In 
the first three minutes, a Gates/Ballmer-like presentation and 
congressional hearings are shown. Then, when Milo receives "that call" 
from Winston, the plot thickens. You don't have to wait... you're not even 
five minutes into the movie yet.

Milo disappoints his friends by joining Winston's team. Early on, Winston 
actually seems to want to take his new protege under his wing, but also 
exploits Milo's inexperience and willingness for his own corporate needs. 
One of Milo's "open source" friends is murdered, and Milo eventually 
learns of Winston's unethical and illegal actions. Off Milo goes to 
investigate his friend's death and how Milo "got into this mess".

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