Antitrust
From Metaverse
A computer programmer's dream job at a hot Portland-based firm turns nightmarish when he discovers his boss has a secret and ruthless means of dispatching anti-trust problems. www.imdb.com
Contents |
Characters
Ryan Phillippe .... Milo Hoffman, main character CS graduate, joined N.U.R.V corporation. The protagonist
Rachael Leigh Cook .... Lisa Calighan, Milo's co-worker also betrays Milo's trust
Claire Forlani .... Alice Poulson, Milo's College Girlfriend. An artist. Her real name is Rebecca Paul and she was working for N.U.R.V the whole time. She eventually turns back and sides with Milo.
Tim Robbins .... Gary Winston, Chairman and founder of N.U.R.V. The antagonist
Douglas McFerran .... Bob Shrot, head of security at N.U.R.V who ended up helping out Milo.
Richard Roundtree .... Lyle Barton, Representative of the Department of Justice a figure of authority. Also tried to Recrute Milo
Tygh Runyan .... Larry Banks, classmate of Milo, went into independant venture with Teddy
Yee Jee Tso .... Teddy Chin, classmate of Milo and fellow CS graduate, against corporations wanted to start independant venture with Milo. Got Murdered.
Nate Dushku .... Brian Bissel, systems administrator at local public access station. Helps Milo and Lisa break the story about N.U.R.V's wrong doings
Ned Bellamy .... Phil Grimes, first programmer to break the code but was murdered for figuring it out
Tyler Labine .... Redmond, worked for N.U.R.V as one of his hit men.
Themes, Symbols, Motifs
Evidence of control: N.U.R.V = Never underestimate Radical Vision - Monopolistic computer company very much in the mold of Microsoft.........evidence of a monopoly and control by corporations
Technological aspect is seen through Synapse- N.U.R.V communications tool to fully unite the global village
Another technological aspect is seen through Skullboks the company that Teddy starts. This is a company that writes open source code and sells their support services for profit. Very much in the mold of a Red Hat type company.
Place where they work is called the egg. It is an Enclosed trapped work area.
Teddy's Murder was blamed on racism
Milo uses his hacker skills and becomes a detective like figure in trying to slove Teddy's murder and bring down the N.U.R.V corporation
Employees are always under constant survelance
There are actually two strong female characters in the movie instead of just one which is usually the case with cyber punk movies.
Discussion Questions
In what ways is the N.U.R.V. Corporation like Microsoft?
How were the ideals of Skullbocks similar to those at Red Hat?
What are the global communication implications from a program like synapse and it's infringent upon peoples personal privacy?
