THE SEARCH FOR JOHN GISSING American Directions

Mike Binder wrote, directed and stars in this corporate comedy of willfully and ruthlessly induced errors. Binder is greatly assisted by droll co-stars Janeane Garofalo as his put-upon wife and Alan Rickman as the title’s elusive John Gissing.

When innocents abroad Matt and Linda Barnes arrive in London, where Matt has been relocated to oversee a multi-billion dollar transaction, their only contact is the company man Matt believes got him his job, John Gissing. What Matt does not know is that Gissing didn’t hire him. In fact, Matt was hired to replace Gissing, who has no intention of stepping aside graciously. A biting commentary on corporate culture’s intrinsic soulessness.

Like the best social comedies of Sturges and Wilder, this film has that irresistible combination of witty writing and more than game and talented comic actors. Janeane Garofalo’s deadpan is just the right foil for Binder’s high-strung energy, while Alan Rickman as the bitterly blithe Gissing nears perfection.