Drama
United States of America
The Company Men is a 2010 drama film written and directed by John Wells. Bobby Walker, portrayed by Ben Affleck, is a highly successful sales executive at GTX, a Boston-based shipping and manufacturing company. When GTX undergoes a massive round of layoffs, Bobby is among the employees who are let go.
As Bobby tries to adapt to life without a job, he is forced to confront the realities of his previous lifestyle and the expectations he has for himself and his family. His wife, portrayed by Rosemarie DeWitt, is frustrated by his inability to find work, and his brother-in-law, played by Kevin Costner, urges him to take a job with his construction company.
Meanwhile, Bobby's colleagues Phil and Gene, portrayed by Chris Cooper and Tommy Lee Jones respectively, are also struggling to adapt to their new lives. Phil, who is older and closer to retirement, faces the challenge of finding another job at his age, while Gene, who was a high-level executive at GTX, struggles to come to terms with his loss of power and status.
As the three men try to re-establish themselves in their new roles as husbands and fathers, they also come to recognize the ways in which their identities had become tied to their careers. The Company Men offers a poignant and insightful look at the impact of corporate downsizing on individuals and families, and the difficulty of finding meaning and purpose outside the context of work.
