30 Second Bottom Line: Two female co-workers, one just out of college and the other a seasoned veteran, are stranded in an airport hotel overnight and become friends. As the evening progresses, the younger woman, whose agenda is unclear, divulges the details of a horrid crime that she claims a man in the bar committed years earlier. The women seek revenge in what becomes a bizarre and violent night.

Story Line: Julie Styron (Stockard Channing) is in a limo talking on her cell phone to her secretary, on her way to another out-of-town sales presentation. She learns from her secretary that her CEO is flying in to meet with her later that evening. Sure that this means she's getting the boot, she immediately calls a headhunter and convinces him to take the shuttle in to meet her before her boss arrives. She`s given her life to climbing the corporate ladder and feels like an old tossed out rag. Her future looks bleak and her past seems like a waste.

Julie arrives for her presentation, but her assistant with the computer-generated visuals doesn't make it. Julie, already feeling fragile, gives a weak presentation to an unsympathetic audience. She leaves, unsuccessful, having wasted her time and encounters the new a/v girl getting out of her taxi from the airport. Paula (Julia Styles) is at the other end of the corporate ladder, both in age, interest and commitment. She starts to give her excuse; her plane was delayed, but is ripped to shreds and fired on the spot by a furious Julie. As Julie's limo pulls away, Paula, left at the curb, yells after her to take a hike.

Back at her hotel, Julie orders a stiff one and meets with Nick (Frederick Weller) the headhunter to talk about her bleak future. There's not much encouragement for her and he heads back to the airport. She envisions herself way down the ladder. She's hurt and angry¾burnt out from giving it all to her thankless climb.

Finally, with no energy or hope, she has her face-to-face with the big boss who tells her she is his choice for CEO. She's unresponsive; he tells her to be happy-this is good news. She has so internalized her hurt and rejection and the pointlessness of it all, that she's too stunned to process this news.

After he leaves, the good news does begin to sink in. She can't seem to think of anyone to call except her secretary who, after years of working like a maniac, may be her only friend. Feeling empty, she heads down to the bar to "celebrate." There she encounters Paula whose flight has been canceled. Guilty about her earlier blow up with Paula, Julie acts friendly, re-hires her and gets her a hotel room for the night. Paula seems ambivalent about this developing friendship and seems to be playing a game of wits. Paula could care less about her "career" with this company-her true interest is in writing. She seems to be mocking Julie for the choice she made-to have spent her whole life making it to the top in this company¾yet seems to be possibly coming onto her. Paula is ultimately challenging Julie's entire life and beliefs.

Paula borrows work out clothes from Julie and while changing in the bathroom in Julie's suite pilfers pharmaceuticals from Julie's toiletry bag. The women end up swimming together and taking a sauna. Paula borrows a dress of Julie's and they head back to the bar where they start partying with lots of businessmen. Nick, the headhunter shows up, having had his flight canceled as well.

Paula acts hostile to Nick and leaves the bar. Julie follows her, concerned. Back in Julie's suite, Paula divulges that Nick raped her friend in college. In about a minute, he's at Julie's door to continue the party. Paula drugs him with the pills she swiped from Julie and convinces Julie it's time for revenge. Throughout their attack the dynamics between Paula and Julie are the real story. Paula is egging Julie on. Julie's only marginally convinced that what Paula's saying is true, but she ultimately becomes the aggressor in their revenge. The attack becomes an orgasmic release for Julie, perhaps a release of her pent-up resentment towards the men she's dealt with in business.

Paula begins to threaten Julie with blackmail, taking Polaroids of a passed-out Nick. Julie ultimately stands up to Paula. We feel her personal power-the power that has gotten her to the CEO level. The movie ultimately ends with ambiguity¾was the night all a game of Paula manipulating Julie? How real are Paula and her story?

Tell Me More About It: The three characters in this movie are exceptionally well created and cast. Julie's character is realistically multi-dimensional, not the stereotypical successful businesswoman. She has compassion, is sexy and fun in the bar. She's quick-witted and spars easily and naturally with Paula-especially in the elevator scenes. Stockard Channing plays the role to perfection, varying her emotions and personality.

Nick is sleazy enough to convince us he's guilty of some crime-we're just not sure it's the one he's been accused of. And we don't really find out how he processes what has happened to him, which adds further mystery to his character.

First time director Patrick Stettner worked as a temp for high-powered women while in film school at NYU. I hope his temp work was as effective as his power of capturing their essence was.

Julie Stryon: Stockard Channing	Frederick Weller: Nick Harris
Paula Murphy: Julia Styles	Director: Patrick Stettner

Stockard Channing: Six Degrees of Separation	Julia Styles: Save The Last Dance
Frederick Weller: Coyote Ugly	Director Patrick Stettner: Debut Film