Title: The Company Men
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: John Wells
Starring: Ben Affleck, Tommy Lee Jones
Runtime: 1 hr 53 mins

What It Is? Bobby Walker (Affleck) has a great life. He’s got a job he loves that, a beautiful family, and an awesome bankroll to boot. One day though the major corporation he works for decides his services are no longer required during a downsizing spree. All of this to make it’s CEO, and the big wigs MORE profit. Among the other cuts are his co-worker Phil Woodward (Chris Cooper) whose the companies big butt kisser, and his boss (Lee Jones). Now these men must find a new job, luckily the “transitional services” program they’ve been provided SHOULD help. But when it doesn’t Bobby must look to his contractor owning brother-in-law (Costner) for a job. This men are at a crossroads and how they deal with it will define them for the rest of their lives.

What We Think? This was a film that going in I thought would be a bit of a borefest. Instead what I got was a sharp, story with a modern touch that’s not without relevance in today’s social climate. I think it’s biggest flaw is that it often gets in it’s own way. Often times the story sometimes stumbles over it’s own self, but otherwise the message is clear, and the characters are ones you can for the most part feel for.

Our Grade: A – , A great cast working with an awesome script makes for a story that while at times stumbles finishes strong and hold enough surprises to make it interesting. It also does an excellent job of holding your attention throughout it’s 113 minute runtime. Affleck as Walker shows the initial swagger of a big time salesman, but has the range to show off the transition that this man is going through. Well-crafted, and finely acted, a real show piece for all involved.

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