The Company Men (2010)

Content by Tony Macklin. Originally published on December 28, 2010 @ tonymacklin.net.

The Company Men could well be the poster movie of 2010.

Like so many movies this year, it has great possibilities, but ultimately falters and coasts into easy commerciality. The Company Men is better acted than directed, and better directed than written.

This was a year in which gifted actors spoke mediocre dialogue in contrived plots. The actors made an earnest effort, but often were thwarted in the things they had to say and the things they had to do.

The Company Men has a promising premise. It's the story of three executives who are cut adrift when a conglomerate downsizes. Let the irony and satire begin. Not exactly.

John Wells, a tv maven, directing and writing his first theatrical movie, enlists a first-rate cinematographer and a stellar cast, with both star power and some of the best actors in movies today.

But Wells decides to play it safe. He opts to make a movie that becomes more Lifetime than HBO. One might think that Wells -- given his clout -- could risk taking risks. But he's like one of the corporate men whose first criterion is keeping his job. Don't ask Wells to risk his status for mere creativity.

Set in the Boston area, The Company Men follows three men experiencing the turmoil that firing causes for them and their families.

The youngest is the aggressive but blase Bobby Walker (Ben Affleck). He is jolted by the experience but has difficulty dealing with it. His brother-in-law Jack Dolan (Kevin Costner), who is a blue-collar building contractor, tries to offer him help. Bobby struggles with his change in status.

The second "victim" is Phil Woodward (Chris Cooper), whose fate is as familiar as black-and-white silent movies. C'mon Wells, use your imagination.

The third corporate employee is Gene McClary (Tommy Lee Jones), who perhaps is the most interesting character. He desires to be ethical in a world in which that concept is irrelevant. Gene founded the original ship building company with James Salinger (Craig T. Nelson), who has gone down the golden road of success leaving his old friend behind.

Adding to the interest in Gene is his affair with a corporate hatchet lady Sally Wilcox (Maria Bello), and their comfortable sexual liaisons.

Besides the acting, The Company Men has the deft cinematography of Roger Deakins who creates an evocative environment.

But despite the acting and look of the movie, there's still that script. The characters are swallowed up by the plot.

The Company Men is like a fine meal that ends with a saccharine dessert.

At the conclusion there's a swell of unearned and unbelievable uplift. Everybody is ok.

I expected them to have a show in a barn.