Watch The Company Men

The Company Men from 2010 is a powerful drama film that depicts the personal and professional struggles of three men who are caught up in the economic downturn of the late 2000s. The movie stars Ben Affleck, Chris Cooper, and Tommy Lee Jones, and is directed by John Wells. The film's story was inspired by the real-life experiences of Wells' friends and acquaintances who lost their jobs during the recession.

Bobby Walker (played by Ben Affleck) is a successful sales executive at GTX, a Boston-based shipping and manufacturing company. Bobby is the quintessential American success story- he has a beautiful wife, a lovely house, a Porsche in the driveway, and a promising career. However, all of this changes when GTX undergoes a major restructuring and Bobby is laid off.

Bobby's life begins to spiral out of control as he struggles to come to terms with his sudden unemployment. He finds himself unable to keep up with his lavish lifestyle, his marriage is strained, and he becomes at odds with his older brother Jack (played by Tommy Lee Jones), who is also an executive at GTX. Jack is struggling to keep the company afloat and is forced to lay off many of his longtime colleagues and friends, including his close friend Gene (played by Chris Cooper).

Gene is a gruff, blue-collar worker who has been with GTX for over thirty years. His wife has cancer, and he is struggling to keep up with his medical bills and maintain his home. When Gene is laid off, he is unable to find work and is forced to sell his home and move in with his adult children. Gene becomes increasingly desperate and frustrated, eventually leading to a tragic mistake.

As Bobby, Jack, and Gene face their respective struggles, they find themselves drawn together by their shared experiences. Together, they reflect on the value of hard work, family, and friendship in a world that is increasingly driven by profit and greed.

One of the most striking aspects of The Company Men is its realism. The film is a sobering reminder of the devastating effects of the recession on the lives of ordinary people. It is a film that is not afraid to ask difficult questions about the morality of corporate responsibility and the impact of greed on the lives of working-class Americans.

The performances in the film are excellent, particularly those of Affleck, Cooper, and Jones. Affleck brings a gritty authenticity to his portrayal of Bobby, as he struggles to come to terms with his own fall from grace. Cooper brings a depth and vulnerability to his role as Gene, a man who has given his life to a company that ultimately betrays him. Jones is also superb as Jack, Bobby's older brother, who is torn between loyalty to his friends and colleagues and the ruthless demands of the corporate world.

The film's visual style is also impressive, with director John Wells using a muted color palette and evocative cinematography to create a sense of melancholy and despair. The film is scored by Aaron Zigman, who uses a haunting piano melody to underscore the film's themes of loss and perseverance.

In conclusion, The Company Men is a powerful and moving film that offers an unflinching look at the human cost of the economic downturn. It is a film that will resonate with anyone who has experienced the trauma of job loss, and it is a reminder that in times of crisis, it is our friends and family who are our greatest strength. The performances are excellent, the direction and cinematography are superb, and the film's themes are timeless and universal. Overall, The Company Men is a film that is both heart-wrenching and hopeful, an essential viewing for anyone who cares about the human side of the global economy.

The Company Men is a 2010 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 45 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7 and a MetaScore of 69.