The Film
Ben Affleck is really on a roll. Yes, it's true. After achieving major accolades for his directing efforts, 2007's Gone Baby Gone and 2010's The Town, Affleck is back to being just the star in The Company Men. While the actor has had his share of stinky roles over the years, it's hard to go wrong when your costars include Chris Cooper, Kevin Costner, Tommy Lee Jones and Maria Bello. It also helps that The Company Men is a concept that every one of its viewers can relate to.
The film is set in 2008, with the economy teetering on the edge of the crapper. To balance the budget and please its investors, the GTX Corporation lays off a number of employees, including hotshot salesman Bobby Walker (Affleck). Much to his surprise, Bobby has a hard time finding work, as well as paying for his precious Porsche, golf club, and even essentials for his family.
While Bobby is focused on maintaining appearances, Phil Woodland (Chris Cooper) and Gene McClary (Tommy Lee Jones) must alter theirs, in order to adapt to a working world that they haven't had to stare in the face for quite some time.
It may seem difficult to feel for a guy getting rid of an extravagant sports car, but the concept behind The Company Men is all too familiar. Something else familiar is the flow of the movie. If it feels like a one-hour drama, that may be because writer/director John Wells has deep roots in TV work (ER, Southland, Shameless). However, we've never seen even the most "very special" episode of anything include this caliber of cast, which really elevates The Company Men to a must-see movie.
The Picture
Anchor Bay has a real prize with The Company Men. This is an absolutely gorgeous, demo-worthy image from start to finish. It's not exactly busting with bright colors, but what it does have is very realistic, sharp, and crystal clear. The detail is where this 1.78:1 transfer really excels, from the interior of these gorgeous Boston homes to the close up on the golf green to Affleck's hair (no jokes, please). There are also plenty of perfectly pressed shirts, tie patterns, and worried/pained facial expressions (Jones and Cooper are especially detailed) to focus on.
The Sound
While not as impressive as the image, this release's DTS-HD Master Audio track gets the job done. With the exception of a few minor ambient sounds in the office, on the golf course, and on the construction site, the film is very fixed on dialogue. The track adds a bit of oomph to some of those lines, but the film also has its share of soft-spoken moments, where you'll find yourself reaching for the remote. It's a nice track overall. It's just not the perfect match for the film's stellar image.
The Extras
For a small indie film, The Company Men includes a decent amount of extras. Writer/director John Wells sits for the release's lone commentary. It's not very animated, but is chock full of details about the movie's production. He does spend a lot of time talking about the homes used, location, and the actors in the movie. However, there are plenty of interesting nuggets, including the inspiration for the film, the actual price of that antique table in Gene's home, and the blink-and-you'll-miss-it appearance of Steven Spielberg's daughter Sasha.
Other extras include an alternate ending and deleted scenes (which includes a longer opening). There's also a fairly standard making-of featurette. Even though it looks like some of it was filmed right on the set, most of the principal actors do participate. Also, it's interesting to see who called upon real-life inspiration for their roles in the film.
Final Thoughts
It's a shame that The Company Men never received a wider release. Maybe it's because it offers a heaping dose of reality that's all too familiar to too many. If you're looking to escape reality, this isn't the film for you. If you're looking for a heartfelt, well-acted film, you'll be in good company with The Company Men.
Product Details
Where to Buy:
| Overall | |
|---|---|
| Video | |
| Audio | |
| Movie | |
| Extras |
