There is little doubt that losing a job is among the most traumatic events that can happen in ones life. Losing a job not only means loss of income and the uncertainty and worry that accompanies such a loss, but also loss of self-esteem and loss of confidence in the future. These themes are effectively dramatized in this movie. The main character, a young, well-paid white collar worker, loses his job and it changes his life, and not necessarily for the better. The movie shows how all of us are subject to economic forces way beyond our ability to control. As the movie shows, nobody is immune to the effects of these economic forces. Huge companies can be downsized, bought up, dismantled and disappear. Sometimes it's easy to believe that these corporate entities will go on forever, but it's an illusion. There is no security; there is no reward for loyalty. And while thousands of workers lose their jobs, corporate executives, that is, those who actually own these companies, pay themselves millions of dollars. Yet, as the movie shows, these huge salaries do not guarantee economic security either, as one's company can be put up for sale. When the movie tries to get moralistic, the story gets a little mushy, but for the most part the story stays on track and avoid that pitfall. Ben Affleck, Tommy Lee Jones and Chris Cooper give strong performances as the company men; the rest of the cast, which includes Craig T. Nelson and Maria Bello, are excellent too. This movie is worth watching.
Review of The Company Men
