A psychological drama about mid- and high-level executives pushed down—or off—the corporate ladder, The Company Men finds sales exec Bobby Walker (Ben Affleck) “downsized” out of his job at Global Transportation Systems, a Boston-based ship-building firm. While he's still in denial—arrogantly driving his Porsche and trying to play golf at the country club—his savvy wife Maggie (Rosemarie DeWitt) starts reorganizing family expenditures, placing their heavily mortgaged McMansion on the market, while Bobby's blue-collar brother-in-law, Jack (Kevin Costner), urges him to join his construction company. Meanwhile, Phil Woodward (Chris Cooper)—Bobby's veteran older co-worker—sinks into deep despair when his pink slip comes, totally bewildered about the harsh realities of the bleak job market (his outplacement counselor advises him to dye his gray hair, delete his Vietnam War service from his résumé, and not mention any jobs he's held before the 1990s). Even the company co-founder, cantankerous Gene McClary (Tommy Lee Jones), is ruthlessly dismissed by his best friend, cutthroat CEO James Salinger (Craig T. Nelson). Ironically, while Gene's pretentious wife has been preoccupied with their palatial estate, corporate jet, and luxurious holidays, he's been having an affair with the glamorous company hatchet woman (Maria Bello). Writer-director John Wells elicits intelligent performances in this powerful and poignant film that shrewdly reflects the emotional savagery of the recent economic meltdown. Highly recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include audio commentary by writer/director John Wells, a “making-of” featurette (14 min.), an alternate ending (13 min.), and deleted scenes (7 min.). Bottom line: a solid extras package for a winning film.] (S. Granger)
The Company Men
Anchor Bay, 105 min., R, DVD: $29.99, Blu-ray: $39.99, June 7 Volume 26, Issue 2
The Company Men
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