The Company Men (2011)
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AUDIENCE SCORE
Critic 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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Bobby soon finds himself enduring enthusiastic life coaching, a job building houses for his brother-in-law (Kevin Costner) which does not play to his executive skill set, and perhaps the realization that there is more to life than chasing the bigger, better deal. With humor, pathos, and keen observation, writer-director John Wells (the creator of "ER") introduces us to the new realities of American life. -- (C) Weinstein
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Cast
as Gene McClary
as Bobby Walker
as Phil Woodward
as Sally Wilcox
as Maggie Walker
as Jack Dolan
as James Salinger
as Danny Mills
as Conal Doherty
as Diane Lindstrom
as Cynthia McClary
as Loma Woodward
as Ken Lake
as Jane
as Gene's Secretary Karen
as Stevens
as Hansen
as Archer
as Hector
as Liam McClary
as Dysert
as Mike
as Mike
as Joanna
as Secretary Carol
as Kevin Walker
as Mark Olson
as Ned Haspel
as Troy Thayer
as Dierdre Dolan
as Fran Walker
as Ed
as Drew Walker
as Joyce Robertson
as Sarah Woodward
as Salinger's Secretary
as Robin
as Mifflin
as Mifflin
as Conners
as Karlson
as Carson Walker
as Dale
as Tom
as Norvell Receptionist
as Dana
as Dick Landry
as Jane Nefeld
as Phil's Assistant Nan
as Lister
as MK+T Receptionist
as Human Resources Specialist
as Pizza Kid
as Testimonial Speaker
as Balding Man
as Project Manager
as Will
as Herb Rittenhour
as Conal's Secretary Barbara
as FMR Receptionist
as John
as Gail
as Testimonial Coordinator
as Stunt Coordinator
News & Interviews for The Company Men
Critic Reviews for The Company Men
All Critics (162) | Top Critics (39) | Fresh (108) | Rotten (54) | DVD (4)
It turns out that middle-ranking executives and even some corporate board members have feelings. Who knew?
Everything is pat, from the stereotyped characters (Kevin Costner plays the noble blue-collar worker) to the obvious plot turns.
There's also little sense of what these characters were like before reality came crashing down on them.
This is a film without spark. The frustrations are real, but they are neither terribly entertaining nor enlightening.
"The Company Men" is a worthwhile outing that takes despair - but also resilience - seriously.
The venerated American export that The Company Men most recalls isn't seagoing vessels -- it's hourlong dramatic television shows.
Audience Reviews for The Company Men
A demanding film that wins us over little by little, tackling a downbeat topic with a slow, careful approach and asking us to be patient because the result will certainly be rewarding, and its main strength lies in three exceptional performances by Jones, Affleck and Cooper.
Super Reviewer
Phil Woodward: My life ended and nobody noticed. "In America, We Give Our Lives To Our Jobs. It's Time To Take Them Back." The Company Men was a surprising movie for me. I didn't have great expectations because of the rather luke warm review it got when initially released. However, I really like it. I liked the story, which was real life and something that sums up many people's lives around the time of the financial repression setting in. Also I like how this shows big corporate giants and their lack of empathy for their workers. It's all about how much they can make, while they put thousands of people who have families out of work all in the name of how high we can get our stock before we cash out. The Company Men shows three men who are negatively effected by the downsizing of the company they have each worked at for years. We see how the downsizing effects not only them, but their families as well, as money, which has never been an issue, is suddenly a problem. The story has political undertones throughout as we constantly hear things about Bush and what he's going to do about the collapse, and news about Goldman possibly being involved in illegal activities. This movie does have some powerful moments as many things represented in it have occurred to many we know. Plants start laying off workers because stocks are dropping and the higher ups have to keep the holders happy. That's the excuse I guess. In the end though all the firings do is allow the CEO and other executives the opportunity to pad their own bank account while every worker who made the company what it is are put on the chopping block. The Company Men is a well made and important movie with a phenomenal cast and great writing. Some moments(mostly family scenes with Affleck) come off a bit misguided, but for the most part, the film is razor sharp and effective in everything it sets out to do. This is definitely one that's worth a look and I'm glad I finally got around to seeing it after pushing it aside for a couple of years.
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The Company Men Quotes
| Bobby Walker: | Hi Sally, Bob Walker. Thanks for not returning any of my phone calls. If you do return my call, I would love to know why you fired me without any notice, you fucking cowardly bitch. |
| Danny Mills: | You wanna be a big cop in a small town? Fuck off up the model village. |
| Danny Mills: | Gee, I wonder why she never calls you back... |
| Danny Mills: | Gee, I wonder why she never calls you back. |
| Bobby Walker: | It feels good though. |
| Danny Mills: | It feels good though. |
| Bobby Walker: | I will win! Why? Because I have Faith! Courage! Enthusiasm! |
| Jack Dolan: | Can I be honest with you Bobby? You should take that job. You're a shitty carpenter. |
| Jack Dolan: | You know if things get tough, I can always use some extra help this winter. |
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