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The movie is composed of stories gathered from the actual dancers, choreographers, and office staff of the Joffrey Ballet. As a result, the movie is as close to a true "slice-of-life" film as a movie can be. Most of the roles are played by real-life company members. While there are small subplots involving a love story between Neve's character 'Rye' and James Franco 's character, most of the movie focuses on the company as a whole, without any real star or linear plot. The many real-life stories woven together show the dedication and hard work that dancers must put in to their art, even though they are seldom rewarded with fame, fortune, or even a statue, painting, or album on which to look back.
It has been reported that The Company has been an idea of Campbell's for a long time - she began her career as a ballet dancer. Robert Altman was reportedly to be reluctant to take on the directing of the movie initially, but later relented.
The Company is also a common name for the CIA.