Review of The Company Men (2010) by Janice K — 14 Jun 2011

This drama centers around several corporate executives several of whom built their business from a shipyard up to a multi-billion dollar business, and their finding themselves surprisingly fired and let go after many years of hard work and dedication when the stock begins to fall, while the man (played skillfully by Craig T.

Nelson) at the top, builds a new multi-million dollar building and gives himself a raise. Corporate greed is the theme here and how those in the industry are affected by it. Ben Afleck as the young business man who is let go and must stand-by helplessly watching his house be sold and family move-in with his in-laws to make ends meet while he is unable to find a new job, gives a grand performance and one of his all time best.

He must find the humility to go to work for his brother-n-law's (a wonderful role for Kevin Costner) construction company where he learns more than how to swing a hammer. We also follow the older gents as they are let go played powerfully by both Chris Cooper and Tommy Lee Jones.

I enjoyed this very much and feel like neither the screenplay nor the performers got their due for this. Excellent film.