While the story in The Company Men is not literally “ripped from the headlines,” the film deals with a current and important problem. Although the film is not without flaws, the subject matter is compelling, the performances are strong and the film really resonated with me.

“It’s a business, not a charity,” states James Salinger (Craig T. Nelson), head honcho of GTX Corporation. Salinger wants to rationalize the company’s massive layoffs to his longtime friend and second in command Gene (Tommy Lee Jones), but Gene is burdened with a conscience, and wants to protect his division. After 12 years of hard word, Bobby Walker (Ben Affleck) is fired during the first wave of layoffs. Bobby’s supportive wife Maggie (Rosemarie DeWitt) tries to help, but Bobby still must face mounting financial pressures, loss of self esteem and a tight job market in a post banking crisis economy. Longtime employee and Viet Nam veteran Phil (Chris Cooper) is having an even harder time finding a job, after he is fired in the next wave. The film follows the career struggles of Gene, Bobby and Phil as they redefine both their goals and their self images.

Respected television producer/ director/ writer John Wells (ER, The West Wing, Third Watch) penned and directs this earnest and timely film. What I like best about The Company Men is how authentic the specific details of the men’s unemployment feel. The perky and condescending outplacement counselor, the painful job interviews and the embarrassment felt by those without a job are rendered with sensitivity. In fact, anyone who has experienced unemployment or has watched loved ones struggle with unemployment, may have a visceral reaction to some of the scenes in this film. I was especially moved by the reaction of Bobby’s coworkers to his firing. Their worry for their own jobs is so great that they are unable to offer Bobby any support. Director Wells does a nice job of showing the effects of unemployment on these characters without a lot of exposition. Instead, we see them in their new and smaller houses and in their new circumstances. I enjoyed seeing Gene’s struggles with his younger girlfriend Sally (Maria Bello), whose job is to do the actual firing in the company, without a lot of dialogue explaining every detail.

Chris Cooper gives an especially good performance as Phil, the aging employee who has given his life to the company. Cooper is heartbreaking as he swallows his pride to beg former contacts for a job. Tommy Lee Jones is stellar as always as the craggy and compassionate Gene. I think I was supposed to be rooting for Bobby, but Tommy Lee Jones kept me wanting to know more about Gene. Ben Affleck makes a very believable corporate guy and does a nice job of not going over the top in his scenes. Rosemarie DeWitt, so wonderful in Rachel Getting Married, is radiant and charismatic here as Maggie. She deserves more leading roles.

My one quibble with the film is that although GTX does lay off some women, we do not really get see the effects of unemployment on them. But the title is The Company Men. It is not a great film, but it is a good one. And in today’s economic climate, it is a film worth seeing.

The Company Men. Directed by John Wells. Ben Affleck (Bobby Walker), Tommy Lee Jones (Gene McClary), Chris Cooper (Phil Woodward), Maria Bello (Sally Wilcox), Craig T. Nelson (James Salinger), Rosemarie DeWitt (Maggie Walker), Eamonn Walker (Danny) and Kevin Costner (Jack Dolan).  The Weinstein Company, 2010.

Gail sees a movie appears every Wednesday.

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