Summary: The Associate is a 1996 comedy film directed by Donald Petrie. The movie follows Laurel Ayres, a talented financial analyst who is passed over for a promotion at her firm due to gender discrimination. Determined to prove her worth, Laurel creates a fictional male business partner named Robert S. Cutty and uses him to start her own successful investment firm. As Laurel's alter ego gains recognition, she must navigate the challenges of maintaining her deception while also dealing with a romantic entanglement. The film explores themes of gender inequality, corporate politics, and the power of self-belief in the face of adversity.

Why Watch:

🎥 Film Enthusiasts: The Associate offers a lighthearted and entertaining take on the corporate world, blending comedy, drama, and a unique premise that challenges gender stereotypes.

🧠 Business Professionals: The movie provides an insightful, if fictionalized, look at the challenges faced by women in the financial industry, and how determination and creativity can help overcome such obstacles.

🤔 Social Commentators: The film serves as a thought-provoking commentary on the persistent gender biases and discrimination that women often encounter in the workplace, and the lengths they may need to go to in order to be recognized for their talents.