Skip to main content

Dome Pondering Movie Review: The Company Men (2010)

What is it about?

Three very different men deal with the ramifications and impact on their lives after they lose their jobs during corporate downsizing.

Who is in it? 

Ben Affleck - Bobby Walker

Tommy Lee Jones - Gene McClary

Chris Cooper - Phil Woodward

Favorite Scene: 

After realizing landing a job on the open market was much tougher than he anticipated along with the need for income, Bobby swallows his pride and takes his brother-in-law's carpenter job offer. 

Favorite Quote: 

"You know the worst part? The world didn't stop. The newspaper still came every morning, the automatic sprinklers went off at six. Jerry next door still washed his car every Sunday. My life ended and nobody noticed."

Review:

The Company Men is a good, wholesome, realistic film. It is the perfect for many who have struggled during the hard economic times, especially those who have lost their jobs due to "corporate downsizing". The film's focus on three men, all whom have different situations and are in different point in their lives when they were let go add to the dynamic plot. It is highly relatable, and often, a good dose of truth as well. 

Ben Affleck, who has recently churned out quite a bit of awesome roles over the past few years shines brightly as Bobby Walker, a once thirty seven year old brash professional who made six-figures, provided nice things, but barely had his family. As the movie goes on, and he is humbled and learns not to attach his work with his life, Bobby changes, and the slow change perfected by Affleck's portrayal. 

The Company Men also boasts other top tier talent such as Tommy Lee Jones, Chris Cooper, and Kevin Costner. Rosemaire Dewitt also chimes in nicely supporting as Maggie Walker, Bobby's wife. 

Overall, there aren't any glaring negatives to the Company Men. It isn't perfect, and I'm sure it might be a bit too personal for some depending on their personal experience, and ability to handle it, but The Company Men is a great film that is as solid as they come. Great acting. Great writing. great plot. Great hook. Great story.A can't miss. 

Definitely worth the 104 minute run time.

Grade: 3/5

Recent Favorites

Dome Pondering Movie Review: The After (2023)

What is it about? In a short film, a grieving man confronts his past when he comes face-to-face with a passenger.  Who is in it? David Oyelowo - Dayo Jessica Plummer - Amanda Amelie Dokubo - Laura  Favorite Scene: It's an extremely short film, so...the final few moments.  Favorite Quote:  None. (not much dialogue) Review: This eighteen-minute masterpiece is amazing. You're absolutely taken on this ride of emotions that ultimately leaves you with a great realization of questioning what we value in life.  The lead character, in eighteen minutes, is powerful. His grief is carried through the film, exploding at the end. It very much leaves the viewer with so many questions - what was his life before the tragedy? What was his life after that moment? Did he ever reconnect with that family? Did he rediscover happiness?  Again, a very, VERY, powerful eighteen minutes that will jolt the heart, mind, and soul about life, what is important, and what we overvalue in its place.  Grade: 4/5

2024 NBA All-Star Weekend Thoughts

There's something wrong with the All-Star Game.  Yeah, we've definitely had this conversation before. Expect to pick up this very discussion (again) in July when Major League Baseball has their version in the "Mid-Summer Classic" when it is the ONLY current topic to bounce around in the stratosphere of sports discourse.  What's wrong with the All-Star Game?!  I'm not dismissing the obvious - yes, the NBA All-Star Game is very much at an alarming point of necessary refinement and change - evaluation is needed. What we saw on Sunday night was not disappointing, but outright embarrassing. Also yes, gone are the days when the game flooded your television screen at a respectable 6:30pm on NBC, and you were wowed by the athleticism and star power of the first half of the game, and treated to what felt like the world's best players playing pickup basketball on the grandest stage.  Now? Not so much. So yeah, we got the message. The outrage - and shock TV and hot t

Quick Ponder: Daily Armor

Imagine, if we can see the dents and scratches, the smashes and chaos,  on the daily armor, each of us put on. Just imagine.