“The Company You Keep,” is an entertaining political thriller that is saved from the screenplay’ shortcomings from its stellar cast.

Directed by and starring Robert Redford the movie is about the process and the lives that become unraveled due to a reporter’s obstinance. 

Based on a novel by Neil Gordon, screenwriter Lem Dobbs adapts the story about the 1960s radicals that were committed to the violent overthrow of the U.S. government. 

The reporter, Ben Shepard (Shia LaBeouf), is all about bringing out the truth no matter who gets taken down in the process. 

The story gets underway as a member of the Weather Underground is captured in New York after 30 years on the run. Sharon Solarz (Susan Sarandon) makes it known that she turned herself in on purpose, even though nobody knows why after her successful evasiveness. 

Solarz admitted to the FBI that she was involved in a 30-year-old Michigan bank robbery that resulted in the death of a security guard. 

Shepard begins investigating for The Albany Sun-Times after Solarz turns herself in and shows up at the home of Jim Grant (Redford), a widowed lawyer with a young daughter, Isabel (Jacqueline Evancho) door. 

Shepard finds out that Grant has been using a false identity and ties him with Solarz on the murder. Grant goes on the run after he is uncovered by Shepard and seeks out his former love Mimi (Julie Christie), an unmellowed revolutionary who is able to clear his name with the FBI. 

All of this starts off the first 25 minutes of the film, then shifts to a pursuit. The audience doesn’t get a lot of clues, but the action is vigorous and important to make it feel vital to the viewer. 

Nick Nolte, Stephen Root, Sam Elliot, Terrence Howard, Anna Kendrick, and Brit Marling round out the cast, delivering solid moments throughout the film. 

Redford builds a riveting, electrifying political thriller that leans on the complexity of its characters and the intelligence of the audience.  

“The Company You Keep,” stands as a smart and engaging thriller with strong performances by Shia LaBeouf and Robert Redford.