About Antitrust

Antitrust is a thriller movie that was released in the year 2001. The film is directed by Peter Howitt and the story revolves around a young computer programmer named Milo Hoffman, who is portrayed by actor Ryan Phillippe. Hoffman dreams of creating software that is accessible to everyone. His dream turns into a thrilling reality when he bags a job in NURV, a huge tech company run by Gary Winston, played by Tim Robbins, who presents him a fantastic opportunity. However, as Hoffman digs deeper, he begins to discover less savory truths about Winston and his company, drawing him into a vortex of deceit and corporate mischief.

Making / Production

The film was directed by Peter Howitt and it was shot in the backdrop of the modern-tech world. The screenplay was written by Howard Franklin and the narrative was set during the time when Silicon Valley was gaining momentum i.e., in the late 90s and the early 2000s. The feel of the movie was designed to mirror the corporate culture of big tech firms and also managed to draw attention to the ethical issues around monopolizing software.

Actors

• Ryan Phillippe plays the role of Milo Hoffman, a computer programmer. He portrays a young, ambitious techie who uncovers a large conspiracy hidden behind his dream job.
• Tim Robbins portrays Gary Winston - the charismatic and manipulative boss. Robbins's portrayal of this complex character earned him a lot of appreciation.
• Rachael Leigh Cook portrays Lisa Calighan, the love interest of Hoffman. Cook plays a supportive girlfriend, who stands by Hoffman with his discoveries.
• Claire Forlani is cast as Alice Poulson, a fellow teammate at NURV. Her role is critical to the plot as she adds an element of suspense and mystery.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The film eerily mirrors the competitive landscape of Silicon Valley, blurring the line between fiction and reality.
• The film's main character, played by Ryan Phillippe, shares a striking resemblance in appearance and ambition to the real-life tech mogul, Steve Jobs.
• The film’s antagonist, Gary Winston, shares many business practices with real-life Microsoft co-founder, Bill Gates.

Quotes

• "This isn't a game! In the real world, when you kill people they die - for real!" - Milo Hoffman
• "This business is binary. You're a one or a zero. Alive or dead." - Gary Winston
• "What, you think I'm gonna quit? They'd rather kill me...wouldn't they?" - Milo Hoffman

Music & Soundtrack

• "When It All Goes Wrong Again" performed by Everclear
• "La Pila" performed by Bloque
• "Ditch the Business" performed by Endo