The ethics of big business and concept of men out of work haunt every frame of the morally in tune recession drama The Company Men.
In theme and philosophy, this is an unapologetically liberal movie. Writer/director John Wells (his film debut) was a long time scribe on The West Wing. His cast, an excellent ensemble of actors, are known to be openly Democrat in political affiliation.
But Wells is not interested in a political debate. Instead he asks: What is a man’s worth when he is not working?
Usually the notion of honest work besieged by the Capitalist monster is associated with the working class. What The Company Men does is delve into the other end of the pool, and takes a look at how the lives of middle / upper class employees are affected by the recession, Wells succeeding in gaining our sympathy by stripping away any notion of villainy towards these white collar workers, and offers a poignant examination of suit wearing men facing hard times.
The opening shot features our varied protagonists preparing for the day at GTX, a Boston manufacturing company. But instead of a day’s work and bad coffee, they are met with another round of layoffs.
One of those fired is Bobby (Ben Affleck), a national sales rep who is let go due to cost cutting.
His firing directly affects Gene (Tommy Lee Jones), mentor to Bobby and number two man to CEO James (Craig T. Nelson). Gene is ridden with guilt as if he were an accessory to murder.
It is through these two characters that we see the ripple effects from these layoffs, Wells taking the viewer into the homes and haunts of these men and their families. A sombre mood is felt throughout the majority of the film, Wells effectively comparing the grief of job termination to a permanent state of mourning.
Bobby especially runs the gauntlet of bereavement, Affleck brilliantly hitting those feelings of bitterness, sadness, anger, and (eventually) acceptance.
Jones complements Affleck’s emotionally extroverted turn with a soulfully introverted performance, agonizing over the gluttony of his surroundings which he hates and loves equally.
Supporting performances are just as good. Chris Cooper agonises as a long loyal employee kicked to the curb and confronts ageism; Kevin Costner brings an Earthiness as a blue collar worker who offers salvation; and Rosemarie DeWitt does a lot with very little in her role as Bobby’s wife, spurning him on to never give up.
There is a moment is the film where Bobby is encouraged to repeat the phrase “Faith. Courage. Enthusiasm”, as part of a positive reinforcement exercise. As we see his growth as a man while losing his wealth, those three words transcend their tackiness and become damn near philosophy.
It is that combination of ethically sound themes and stirring character examinations which makes The Company Men not only a rich drama, but a timely and timeless one as well. |