What happens when those at the top of their
game have to struggle at
the bottom of the heap with the rest of us? Well, it's a theory The
Company Men attempts to show - but does it succeed?
The Company
Men brings together a group of this generation's greatest actors - all
who've been previous Academy Award winners. Bobby Walker (Ben Affleck)
is living the American dream : great job, big salary, beautiful family,
shiny Porsche in the garage.
However, when corporate
downsizing leaves him and co-workers Phil Woodward (Chris Cooper) and
Gene McClary (Tommy Lee Jones) jobless, the three men are forced to
re-define their lives as men, husbands, and fathers... without the
annual $150,000+.
Bobby soon finds himself enduring enthusiastic
life coaching, a job building houses for his brother-in-law (Kevin
Costner) which does not play to his executive skill set, and perhaps
the realisation that there is more to life than chasing the bigger,
better deal.
Writer and director John Wells (who also
helmed ER and The West Wing) works methodically throughout this insight
into the upper class. The film zooms along without ever really losing
it's audience (despite what is a fairlygrey stroyline) thanks to The
Company Men's truly excellent cast.
Affleck gets the most screen time, but that doesn't stop veterans Tommy
Lee Jones, Chris Cooper and the criminally underused Kevin Costner from
utilising every moment they are on screen.
It's a masterclass in acting
and - regardless of your thoughts on the film itself - is worthwhile
buying a copy just to see this much understated talent on screen at
one time.
While the film works for the most part, as an audience member not
raking in $150,000 a year - it's often hard to ever really feel sorry
for the folks that have been handed their severance packages.
These
aren't guys who can't feed their families, these aren't guys who sleep
on the street - these are folks whose major complaint after being fired
is "not being able to play golf" or "can't afford an Xbox".
Call me cynical - but if you're turning down $60,000 a year jobs
because of vanity and pride... you're going to struggle to get an
audience on your side.
Ultimately, The Company Men is a unique look inside the world of the
upper class and the self imposed pressure that comes with the life. For
the rest of us watching - it's simply another reason for us to dislike
those who don't appreciate what they already have.
DVD Special Features
Lots of extras here which is great to see
considering the flick hardly set the box office (less than $5M
worldwide... although, it was never intended to be a hit) or critical
world on fire - so its good to see some stuff on offer here.
There is an Audio Commentary with Writer / Director John Wells, an
excellent Making of "The Company Men", an Alternate Ending, plus
Deleted Scenes and a Theatrical Trailer.
