Stars: Rachael Leigh Cook, Ryan Phillippe, Claire Forlani, Tim Robbins, Richard Roundtree, Nate Dushku, Yee Jee Tso

Director: Peter Howitt

Summary: A computer programmer uncovers a sinister plot when his friend is killed in suspicious circumstances... But will he work out the details before he becomes the next victim?...

Stanford grad Milo Hoffman (Ryan Phillippe) and his equally talented friend, Teddy (Yee Jee Tso), intend to form an Internet start-up and take the world by storm. That all changes when Milo is courted by deceptively friendly software magnate Gary Winston (Tim Robbins), the immensely wealthy head of world-dominating, Portland-based company, NURV. Milo takes the bait, leaving Teddy behind. Arriving in Portland to a NURV-provided house and car, with his girlfriend (Claire Forlani) in tow, Milo finds himself working on Winston's masterplan--software that will link the world's communications devices together. But it's not long before Milo begins to uncover disturbing evidence of Winston's unethical--and brutal--business tactics. When Winston's web of violence touches Milo's world, he joins forces with fellow NURV programmer, Lisa (Rachael Leigh Cook), and sets out to tell the world of Winston's reprehensible practices.
Though obviously influenced by the practices of a certain Pacific Northwest-based software empire and its recognizable leader, Howard Franklin's (THE NAME OF THE ROSE) script is a snappy popcorn-muncher that manages to generate suspense even though it realizes its own excesses. Robbins, as evil geek Gary Winston, is obviously having a good time. ANTITRUST takes the conventions of the conspiracy film and adds a candy-colored millennial sheen.

WIN DVDs by rating this DVD

Average User Rating:

WIN DVDS by being amongst the first to review this DVD. Reviewing DVDs earns you bonus entries and lets you WIN DVDs!Please login before reviewing this DVD. If you're a new user, register for free and enter to WIN FREE DVDs!

Anti-Trustis a gripping thriller, and although far from being great filmmaking it is at least notable for being about something important and having the will to follow it through. Macro software company NURV, based on a giant "campus" in the Pacific North West and under investigation by the Department of Justice, is planning to launch a proprietary broadband Internet. Ryan Philippe is adequate as the young geek hero, though Tim Robbins dominates the film as CEO Gary Winston, a skilfully cutting interpretation of a power-corrupted software multibillionaire; Gary Sinise offers an equally compelling characterisation. Peter Howitt directs in broad strokes, keeping things exciting if not exactly subtle, while Don Davis' score is alternately suspenseful and overblown. Howard Franklin's screenplay offers surprising plot detail and a couple of good twists while straining credulity with hoary thriller clichés. Nevertheless, the technical stuff is far more accurate than usual, despite the Hollywood compromises. Anti-Trustprovides a rallying cry against the global domination of global communications for the profit of the few, the final 15 minutes delivering an uplifting if simplistic wish-fulfilment fantasy.

On the DVD:The Dolby Digital 5.1 sound is highly atmospheric, though the anamorphically enhanced 2.35:1 image is only average, some grain and artefacting letting down the sleek look and elegant design of the film. "Cracking the Code" is a routine 22-minute "making of" documentary, while the audio commentary by director Peter Howitt and editor Zach Staenberg spends a lot of time stating the obvious. --Gary S Dalkin

Aspect Ratio:	2.35 Wide Screen, 16:9 Anamorphic Wide Screen
Main Language:	English
Region:	Region 2
Special Features:	Audio Commentaries By Director And Film Editor, Alternative Opening And Ending, Making Of Documentary
Subtitles:	None
Year:	2001
Release Date:	October 1, 2001
Runtime:	104 minutes
Certification:
Catalogue Number:	19977 D V D
Keywords:	General, Wide, Screen, Trust, Drama, Anti, Antitrust
Genre:	Drama