The Company Men (2010) Movie Review: Where to Watch Online
The Company Men (2010), directed by John Wells, is a poignant drama that delves into the devastating effects of corporate downsizing during the Great Recession. Featuring an all-star cast led by Ben Affleck, Tommy Lee Jones, Chris Cooper, and Kevin Costner, the film tackles the themes of job loss, identity, and resilience as it follows a group of high-ranking corporate executives whose lives are upended when they are laid off. This deeply human story is a sobering reminder of how fragile financial security can be and how personal and professional lives intertwine in the wake of economic collapse.
In this review, we’ll explore the film’s key elements, the performances, and where you can watch The Company Men online.
Plot Summary
The film focuses on three men, each at different stages in their careers, whose lives are drastically altered by layoffs at a major shipbuilding corporation called GTX.
- Bobby Walker (Ben Affleck) is a young, ambitious sales executive living the American dream. He has a well-paying job, a beautiful house, and a seemingly perfect family. However, when the company begins downsizing to maintain its profits during a financial crisis, Bobby is laid off. His life quickly spirals as he struggles to maintain his lifestyle, deal with his loss of identity, and find new employment in a competitive job market.
- Phil Woodward (Chris Cooper) is an older executive who has worked his way up from the factory floor to management. Having spent his entire career at GTX, he is devastated when he is laid off and faces a bleak job market, which seems particularly unforgiving to someone his age. Phil’s emotional and psychological decline as he struggles with unemployment is one of the film’s most tragic storylines.
- Gene McClary (Tommy Lee Jones) is a senior executive and close friend of GTX’s CEO, James Salinger (Craig T. Nelson). Although Gene is not laid off, he is morally conflicted by the company’s decision to prioritize profits over people. As he watches his colleagues and friends lose their livelihoods, Gene begins to question the ethics of corporate America.
Rounding out the cast is Jack Dolan (Kevin Costner), Bobby’s brother-in-law, who runs a small construction company. Jack offers Bobby a job working with his hands, which Bobby initially sees as beneath him. However, over time, the hard labor and Jack’s no-nonsense approach to life help Bobby rediscover his values and humility.
As the three men navigate their way through unemployment, financial strain, and personal crises, the film presents a powerful exploration of how job loss affects individuals, families, and communities.
Why The Company Men is a Must-Watch
- Relevant and Thought-Provoking Storyline: The Company Men was released in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, making its story all too familiar for many viewers. The film portrays the human side of corporate downsizing, a reality that affected millions of people around the world during the recession. By focusing on the emotional and psychological toll of job loss, the film forces viewers to reflect on how we tie our identities to our careers and what happens when that foundation is taken away.
- Powerful Performances: The film’s greatest strength is its ensemble cast, each actor delivering a nuanced and heartfelt performance. Ben Affleck shines as Bobby, a man forced to confront his own sense of entitlement and identity, while Chris Cooper gives a heartbreaking portrayal of Phil, whose age and loyalty to his company offer no protection in the face of downsizing. Tommy Lee Jones brings depth and moral gravitas to Gene, whose internal struggle adds complexity to the corporate narrative. Kevin Costner, in a smaller but pivotal role, provides a grounded contrast as Jack, the blue-collar worker who represents the value of hard, honest labor.
- Realistic Depiction of Job Loss: The Company Men stands out for its realistic depiction of the emotional and financial fallout from losing a job. The film does not shy away from showing the humiliation, frustration, and despair that come with unemployment. It also explores how job loss impacts relationships, as Bobby’s marriage is strained by the financial pressure and his changing sense of self-worth.
- Themes of Resilience and Reinvention: While the film’s tone is often somber, it also offers hope. Bobby’s journey of self-discovery, and his eventual willingness to work with his hands, demonstrates the value of resilience and the possibility of reinventing oneself after a setback. The film underscores the importance of family, community, and personal integrity in weathering life’s challenges.
Themes Explored in The Company Men
- The Fragility of Success: One of the film’s central themes is the fragility of success and how quickly it can be taken away. Bobby, Phil, and Gene are all high-ranking executives who believe they are secure in their careers, only to find themselves suddenly jobless. This theme resonates with anyone who has ever experienced the shock of losing something they thought was guaranteed.
- Identity and Work: The Company Men explores how much of our identity is tied to our jobs and the existential crisis that follows when we lose them. For Bobby, Phil, and Gene, their sense of self-worth is intrinsically linked to their careers, and their layoffs force them to reevaluate who they are without their titles and salaries.
- Corporate Ethics: Through Gene’s storyline, the film raises important questions about corporate ethics and the morality of putting profits over people. Gene’s internal conflict serves as a critique of the impersonal and often ruthless nature of corporate America, especially in times of economic downturn.
- Family and Support Systems: While the film portrays the individual struggles of its characters, it also emphasizes the importance of family and support systems. Bobby’s relationship with his wife and Jack, Phil’s isolation, and Gene’s distant marriage all illustrate how job loss can either strain or strengthen personal relationships.
Where to Watch The Company Men Online
1. Amazon Prime Video
The Company Men is available to rent or purchase on Amazon Prime Video in HD. You can stream it on various devices, including smart TVs, tablets, and mobile phones.
- Rental Price: $3.99 (HD)
- Purchase Price: $14.99 (HD)
- Availability: Rental and Purchase
2. Apple TV (iTunes)
You can rent or buy The Company Men on Apple TV (iTunes) and watch it across Apple devices like iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV.
- Rental Price: $3.99 (HD)
- Purchase Price: $14.99 (HD)
- Availability: Rental and Purchase
3. Google Play Movies & TV
The film is available for rent or purchase on Google Play Movies & TV and can be streamed on Android devices and smart TVs that support Google Play.
- Rental Price: $3.99 (HD)
- Purchase Price: $14.99 (HD)
- Availability: Rental and Purchase
4. Vudu
The Company Men can be rented or purchased in HD on Vudu, with streaming available on various platforms such as Roku, smart TVs, and gaming consoles.
- Rental Price: $3.99 (HD)
- Purchase Price: $14.99 (HD)
- Availability: Rental and Purchase
5. YouTube Movies
You can rent or buy The Company Men on YouTube Movies in HD and stream it on any device that supports YouTube.
- Rental Price: $3.99 (HD)
- Purchase Price: $14.99 (HD)
- Availability: Rental and Purchase
Is The Company Men on Netflix?
As of now, The Company Men is not available on Netflix. However, with a wide range of options on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and others, it’s easy to access this thoughtful drama online.
Conclusion
The Company Men is a powerful and timely film that addresses the economic realities of the Great Recession through the deeply personal stories of its characters. With standout performances from Ben Affleck, Tommy Lee Jones, Chris Cooper, and Kevin Costner, the movie is both a sobering reflection on corporate America and a hopeful tale of resilience and reinvention.
For anyone interested in a humanizing look at the effects of job loss and the complexities of corporate downsizing, The Company Men is a must-watch. Whether you’re a fan of character-driven dramas or seeking a thought-provoking narrative, this film offers both emotional depth and social relevance.
With availability on multiple streaming platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, and Vudu, you can easily rent or purchase The Company Men and experience this heartfelt story for yourself.
