The Company Men

Review by Sean Lynch

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 ticket 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.

3.5 out of 5

The Company Men
Australian release: 10th March, 2011
Official Site: The Company Men
Cast: Ben Affleck, Tommy Lee Jones, Chris Cooper, Kevin Costner
Director: John Wells