IMDb 6.2 1996 HD

The Associate

The Associate

1996
Comedy
114 min PG-13 USA
6.232 / 10
6.2 IMDB

Laurel Ayres is a businesswoman trying to make it but unfortunately she works at a investment firm where she does all the work but all the senior investors…

Personnel // Cast & Crew

Director Donald Petrie / Lynne Twentyman / Patrick Markey / Vebe Borge
Starring
Whoopi Goldberg / Dianne Wiest / Eli Wallach / Tim Daly / Bebe Neuwirth / Austin Pendleton / Lainie Kazan / George Martin

How Viewers Describe This Film

Common themes and sentiments

witty charming predictable entertaining frustrating clever light-hearted satirical solid enjoyable dated amusing

Reviews

P
Penelope Croft
May 15, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

A charming and often funny exploration of professional perseverance, 'The Associate' finds Whoopi Goldberg in fine form as Laurel Ayres, a woman determined to make her mark. The film cleverly uses the trope of a fictional partner to…

C
Caleb Finch
May 15, 2026
2.5 / 5
2.5

While 'The Associate' boasts a strong lead in Whoopi Goldberg, the film ultimately feels like a missed opportunity. The premise, involving a businesswoman creating a fictional male partner to succeed, has potential for biting satire, but the execution…

B
Beatrice Thorne
May 15, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

This is a wonderfully witty and surprisingly sharp comedy of errors. Whoopi Goldberg shines as Laurel Ayres, a formidable businesswoman forced into a ludicrous charade by a discriminatory industry. The film's strength lies in its clever premise and…

A
Arthur Penhaligon
May 15, 2026
3.0 / 5
3.0

'The Associate' presents a familiar narrative of ambition versus systemic bias, executed with a light comedic touch. Goldberg is her usual engaging self as Laurel, a businesswoman stifled by the patriarchal structures of her firm. The film's central…

E
Eleanor Vance
May 15, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

Whoopi Goldberg anchors 'The Associate' with her signature charisma, playing Laurel Ayres, a woman whose professional brilliance is consistently overshadowed. The film cleverly sets up a scenario where Laurel must invent a male business partner to gain traction,…

FAQs

As a film from the mid-90s starring a prominent comedian like Whoopi Goldberg, 'The Associate' likely resonated with audiences at the time for its relatable portrayal of workplace struggles and its comedic take on gender dynamics. While it may not be a landmark film in terms of lasting cultural impact, it remains a charming example of the workplace comedy genre, offering a snapshot of societal attitudes and challenges that were prevalent during its release.