In “The Company Men,” we see the effects of the recession from the point of view of the people who go to work one day only to discover that their jobs have been eliminated. It’s not a pretty picture and it’s hard to sit through their agony and frustration. But thanks to writer/director John Wells and a cast that includes Ben Affleck, Tommy Lee Jones and Chris Cooper, their story is a compelling one. The characters are not your average middle-income workers, but upper management types used to excess and privilege. Because of the talented cast, especially Affleck who is particularly good, there’s humanity and universality to their situations.
Bobby Walker (Affleck) lives the good life, working for GTX, a conglomerate whose original business was shipbuilding. Bobby has a great house, drives a Porsche and is a member of the local golf club. As a result of downsizing, he suddenly finds himself unemployed along with Phil Woodward (Cooper), who rose from being a welder to the executive ranks and Gene McClary (Jones), the No. 2 man who helped found the company and is not happy with the direction the company has taken. The story follows the three as they try to create new lives for themselves, Bobby in particular, who quickly learns that he and his family are living beyond their means. Although he once scoffed at an offer for work from Jack (Kevin Costner), his brother-in-law, a general contractor, he finds that’s the only work available. Phil has the hardest time adjusting. He’s near 60 and not likely to find another job whereas Gene hangs on at GTX the longest and has the most comfortable nest egg. It’s pretty predictable that losing material wealth will make Bobby a better person, as husband and as father. Afflick is superb. “The Company Men” is worth seeing even if it’s hard to watch in a lot of places. 1/21/11
"The Company Men" is ANOTHER hard to watch film but this one is better than most of the other. Examples: "Somewhere", "Rabbit Hole", Et Al. This film shows people losing their jobs, their homes, their families and their self-respect. The thing that makes this movie better than some of the others is that there is at least hope at the end. Performances by Ben Affleck, Tommy Lee Jones and Chris Cooper offer us a fine ensemble cast and there is a lot of humor to enjoy here. Overall, I say go see this movie, its pretty good
ReplyDeleteBen Affleck keeps getting better and better as an actor and he has already proved he can direct as well (The Tewn). So what's next for Ben, an Oscar, OH.........he already has one!
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