The Company Men

R

Released Jan 21, 2011

1 hr. 55 min.

Drama

List

68%

169 Reviews

Tomatometer

55%

25,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

A young executive at a shipping and manufacturing conglomerate, Bobby Walker (Ben Affleck) is on the fast track to the top. He is a rising star at work and has all the material trappings of success. Then his company goes through a few rounds of layoffs, so Bobby and colleagues Phil (Chris Cooper) and Gene (Tommy Lee Jones) find themselves on the unemployment line. As the year unfolds, all three must redefine their lives as they struggle to survive in a hostile post-career landscape.

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Critics Consensus

It might be hard for most viewers to identify with The Company Men's well-heeled protagonists, but writer/director John Wells uses their plight to make universally resonant points -- and gets the most out of his excellent cast.

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Thomas S

Depressing at times but we'll-acted by a stellar cast

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/29/23

Full Review

David W

The Company Men features a monumentally talented cast playing a set of characters with starkly different personalities and motivations. This allows the film to explore different perspectives of the storyline. The tone is decidedly somber and sinister, which works well for the subject. An attempt to provide an uplifting, hopeful ending feels like a studio executive insisted on a happy ending to increase marketability. The result is an ending that is a jarring departure from the rest of the film both in tone and quality. Ignoring that piece, which ironically may speak to the issues the story is addressing, the overall film is as enjoyable as it is meaningful. I agree with other viewers that the focus on upper class white men may not be relatable to all audiences. But as one of the millions of Americans personally touched by the events the film portrays in the decade since its release. I found the focus on otherwise unrelatable characters makes the film watchable. Had it instead focused on average workers, it would have still been excellent, but personally harder to watch by hitting too close to home. I would definitely watch this one again.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/21/24

Full Review

Michael F

An excellent film that tells the stories that so many have encountered through the unexpected loss of a job

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/15/23

Full Review

corkball

I really liked this film. Not for the action or the twists, or even the drama. It is a solid look at what happens when people with wealth and power are downsized, and they struggle to adjust to a new life without what they had. Some people adapt and learn humility, and some, well... don't. And then life goes on. The movie doesn't really have a point of view. It has each character present their own point of view - even the asshole CEO presents his 'side' (albeit not very sympathetically). If I had to fault this film, it is that in the end, life just... goes on. Nothing really happens. And maybe that is the point.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

jelisije j

A very relatable story.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Solid, touching drama about downsizing and its effect on men who define themselves by their jobs.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/27/23

Full Review

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John Wells

Director

Ben Affleck

Bobby Walker

Chris Cooper

Phil Woodward

Kevin Costner

Jack Dolan

Tommy Lee Jones

Gene McClary

Maria Bello

Sally Wilcox

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Caryn James

Newsday

With harrowing realism, The Company Men captures the raw, personal impact of the economic meltdown.

Feb 7, 2018

Full Review

Kimber Myers

The Playlist

The Company Men, aka "The Supposed Problems of Unsympathetic Rich People" or "Good Actors Stuck in a Mediocre Movie," tries to be timely, but it's as out of touch as Pat Buchanan.

Rated: C

Aug 15, 2013

Full Review

Philip French

Guardian

A serious, schematic, well-acted film about adjusting to new lifestyles in a changing world...

Mar 14, 2011

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Wells explores themes relevant to everyone in America. No one will come out of the film without thinking of someone they know who’s been impacted in the same way as the characters onscreen.

Rated: 3/4

Aug 3, 2023

Full Review

Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

Ben Affleck performs ably for the second time in a year.

Rated: 2.5/4.0

Sep 5, 2020

Full Review

Ed Travis

Hollywood Jesus

I would recommend this one. It rang true to me and it gave me some food for thought about the best way to move forward in this economically tough time.

Apr 2, 2020

Full Review

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Synopsis

A young executive at a shipping and manufacturing conglomerate, Bobby Walker (Ben Affleck) is on the fast track to the top. He is a rising star at work and has all the material trappings of success. Then his company goes through a few rounds of layoffs, so Bobby and colleagues Phil (Chris Cooper) and Gene (Tommy Lee Jones) find themselves on the unemployment line. As the year unfolds, all three must redefine their lives as they struggle to survive in a hostile post-career landscape.

Director: John Wells
Executive Producer: Barbara A. Hall
Screenwriter: John Wells
Distributor: Weinstein Co.
Production Co: Battle Mountain Films
Rating: R (Language|Brief Nudity)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 21, 2011, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 22, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $4.4M
Sound Mix: Dolby

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