I don’t know what the “men” are in the title. “Company people” chewed and spit out by ruthless capitalism. In fact, what millions in the former Soviet Union were so eager for, without even imagining what happiness it is, to live in an apartment that the state gave you, what happiness after graduating from university not to rush around the country in search of work, what happiness not to think at 30 about how you will look for a job at 60 and you will be denied everywhere, because 20 years old will do everything the same only for less money and in less time, and no one needs you, because the insurance and the trade union will ask for more... Well, now everyone gets it. Some do, some don't. This film should be shown in schools in the classroom, so that children do not build illusions and understand immediately that the current economy is not created so that people in it were comfortable – it is people for her nutrient mass and consumables. “Does a man sound proud?” Forget it! Capitalism is more characteristic of “Negroes to work, the sun is still high!”
Have you recently lost your job? Do you work for a large company and do not know how the crisis will affect your workplace? Well, this movie is for you. He dispels all illusions.
I thought for a long time whether to write a review about this film, and what to say in it. I know exactly what to say. Is it necessary to express thoughts on paper? I thought it was worth it.
“In the Company of Men” is one of my favorite movies, although (paradox!) I don’t enjoy it. I guess I shouldn't. The film deals with the difficult situation in which a person finds himself. Not one person. All people. The situation of the financial crisis affects everyone to a greater or lesser extent, and he who says he does not know what it is will lie. Strange thing, but few of my friends have seen this movie. Those who watched, reacted calmly: “Yes, good ...”, “I liked ...”, “Not bad ...” But there is something to talk about, to discuss. The fact that the plot is not trivial does not make the film a masterpiece. It is very important what material it is made of. And this film is very high quality.
There is a popular opinion that, they say, American movies about business can be interesting to watch, but “we are not at all like them”, and therefore you need to divide everything in two, etc. No, friends, everyone is very, very much the same, adjusted for mentality, of course. There are doctors in every country, they are good and bad. In any country there are musicians - talented and incompetent. In any country there are politicians who observe the interests of their society and their own. Everywhere there are ups and downs, stages of prosperity and crises. In almost any developed or developing society, there is business in one form or another. Everyone believes in something (albeit different, but...), and I’m pretty sure they experience plus or minus the same emotions. So "them" is inappropriate here. It’s all about us, people.
Actually, the film is about this – about those emotions, feelings, unfulfilled ambitions faced by a person who is used to a certain “stability” and predictability of being. I would even say that the film is about attitude to life in general. What is so close to me is the fact that if you can not see yourself in every hero, then at least each of them understand. It is one thing to reach out to your head to certain things and capital truths, and another to find confirmation of this. Especially unusual if the confirmation comes from Hollywood movies, although not recent years. In particular, "In the company of men" well demonstrates the fact that the difference between people is dictated not by their financial situation and achieved career heights, although the imprint, of course. This difference grows from within, and everything else is a consequence. Philosophical and wise attitude to life and work perfectly conveys the hero Tommy Lee Jones. He's rich, he's a shareholder, he doesn't have to sell his Jaguar even in times of trouble. Nevertheless, he constantly thinks and analyzes the events happening to him, draws conclusions, places accents, and does not turn away from the chosen path.
In the company of men there are no perfect characters. It's business, baby. Someone is not above the plinth in his development, like the “friend” of the hero Jones. Everyone has weaknesses and stupidities. But some fight and win, and others do not. In general, the film is leisurely, but contains a lot of very accurate and subtle accents and strokes, and that’s the beauty of it. For example, interviews are one, second, third – they are different; return to a decorated Christmas house, when fates are collapsing; the way to overcome their complexes and ambitions, mastering a new profession – from denial to acceptance; in different types of recognition of their mistakes; a small cash bonus to her sister’s husband; gatherings in the morning bar, because “every day you need to go to work”, and then neighbors ...; the distance of the father from his son in a “fed” life, and rapprochement in a difficult period (the role is small, but I played a very liberal boy, but I still have a lot of writing at the table); I would consider the film not as a guide to action (which it is not), but as a textbook on many life situations and to identify symptoms, so to speak.
The atmosphere of the action gives musical design. When life freezes, the music matches. It is calm and transparent, as it has never been before. But we need to keep moving. There will be hope, and, in general, "the road will overcome the walking." After all, when life slows down, a person begins to fall off “everything unnecessary to him.” You have to give up a big house, a fast Porsche, move to your parents. But there remains a loving wife, loyal to Volvo, and there is someone to come to.
I'll conclude here. I'll only object to those who think the end is very Hollywood. Not without it, of course, but in this context it should be. But that's the movie, and the heroes what? Everything is different, so forgive me, as in reality. In general, someone will pass by this film without feeling interested in what is happening. And someone, like me, will see a lot in common with their lives, the lives of loved ones. Or just stop and think about how we live and what it's all about.
9 out of 10
John Wells’ drama film In the Company of Men is the story of how the global economic crisis hit large companies and, to be more precise, the people working for that company. The reality is that no one is immune from risks and everyone can be without a job, be it a department head, a top manager or even a manager.
When the crisis of 2008-2009 hit, Bobby Walker (Ban Affleck) did not think that after 12 years in one of the leading positions in the GTX Corporation, it would not be necessary. It was reduced, like many others who did not fall for the “taste” of the crisis. However, Walker was followed by those who, it would seem, have an unshakable position in the company – those who have gone from a simple employee of the shop to a senior position.
In the company of men is nothing more than another film about a man who lost his job and tries to find a way out. But this is a film about how everyone perceives failure in their own way. Someone is trying to find themselves in a new world, maybe try to master another profession, someone quickly reorients and starts his own business, and someone is crushed by the mere realization that he was not needed after 30 years of faithful service.
The film focuses on several men of different ages and vividly demonstrates each of the above examples. Riding in luxury cars, living in luxury cottages, breakfast for $ 500 – it is difficult to wean yourself from the idea that you will have to part with your favorite car or stop visiting elite sports clubs, however, reality bites.
The film turned out to be quite vital. Despite the fact that here the focus is on rich people and about the poor, probably in the same situation, not said two words, the movie looks with interest, because everyone is subject to emotions, everyone has their own problems despite the amount of money in the wallet.
But look at you. I do not impose my opinion on anyone.
"Corporation of People" or In the Company of Men (2010)
The film is about the crisis of 2008, when everyone lost their jobs, including white collar workers. And how they try to swallow this bitter pill and move on.
One out-of-work clerk with a Porsche loan and a million-dollar mortgage allows a monstrous credit card overdraft to pay his golf club fees. He can not help but maintain the image of a successful person.
Another walks around town from 9 to 18 only to make sure neighbors don't think he's been fired. He even carries a briefcase with him.
And the third takes and hires the unemployed on the facility under construction. True, to pay the guys, he works for free, because he dumped at the tender.
Unexpected joy is an acting bouquet. Even sweet Affleck convinces.
Interview training for seniors:
- Instead of age, specify the position and experience. In the section "military duty" do not write Vietnam, just "infantry". And paint the gray hair.
I understand the commercial failure of this film directed by John Wells. He's not happy-endy, not sugary-sweet about "all overcoming real guys," he's about life. No embellishment. When you find yourself on the street, and all your experience is reduced to paperwork, when the secretary and the social package made life pleasant and the belief that you will find a job so beautiful and successful collapses overnight, and after the Porsche you also lose your house, then you can understand the real you or not. The film shows three people fired at different times from a large company. They are the ones who are in charge of their life and their lives. Once on the street, each of the three characters behaves according to the character, the younger Bobby expects that he is about to be successful again, so he will not exchange for trifles, Phil slowly drinks, because he understands he will not find himself in life, his own uselessness depresses him, Jean concentrates and comprehends what he has lived. The end of the film best shows the essence of the modern world, the weak dies, the strong gather, takes the next step, and a good place in the company can be obtained only by acquaintance. Alpha and modern omega. But how well, vividly and truthfully these moments are shown in the film, I just admired what is happening on the screen.
And about the actors, three fates - three heroes, the rest of the scenery to their stories.
Ben Affleck (Bobby) was just a modern hero, having lost his job, he was lost, his hopes to restore the status quo faded along with the last check of the compensation fund, and having lost the attributes of his former life, he becomes an assistant carpenter to earn a piece of bread for the family, how many emotions and experiences he shows to the viewer, a very good role in the list of this actor. Tommy Lee Jones (Jean) is great, I really want to be like his character, a hard worker who stood at the origins of the company, who laid his life on the corporation, can not accept the fact that in the pursuit of capitalization, human destinies are thrown into the furnace of profit, he fights injustice, but one against the corporation is defeated. He leaves his wife to his mistress and cannot find peace there, his hero concentrates and makes a move by a horse, a strong deed by a strong man.
Chris Cooper (Phil), another hero who rose from the bottom to the chair of director in the corporation, but as soon as he lost his job, this is no longer a young character, far from being a spoiler of fortune, who achieved everything with his work, was not ready for his uselessness. His character is a vivid illustration at the age of 60, life does not begin anew, it tends to sunset, units are able to fight, and most of the material is already worked out. The axiom of life. It's a beautiful image on the screen.
There are two characters I can’t pass by. Maria Bello played Sally Wilkes as a bitchy HR director of a corporation for which the person is only a surname on paper and the amount from the compensation fund. But she is also shown as Gene’s patient lover, who does not interfere with his focus and tries to support him, in this she is very similar to Bobby’s wife, only her tenderness is deep under the layer of corporate ethics. Good role. And of course, Kevin Costner, immersed and rustic, but his Jack is good, he supports Bobby, sometimes to his detriment, but keeps his confidence afloat, does not let him finally collapse into the abyss of self-pity.
That's how the movie turned out. Maybe he has shortcomings, but I made a strong impression, very vitally, they have everything in the States as we have, no one calls a person in any way, work only for good, on a resume of a good job will not be offered, who faced, he will understand, and ambitions and aspirations are best supported by the friendship of influential people. Homo homini lupus est (Man to man wolf) is better and you can not tell, after watching the film, about corporate and friendly relations in the modern world.
10 out of 10
Ben Affleck, Tommy Lee Jones, Chris Cooper, Maria Bello
An excellent, powerful and very masculine film from the brothers V., who, like no one else, manage to collect under one roof all the best of the best and make everything so that it was flawless.
Director John Wells is unknown to me, but he was an executive producer that in Far from Heaven, in Savage Grace, such perfect beauty was created, apparently with his participation, that is more than enough for me.
The film is serious and not so much about the crisis, but about the revaluation of values as to whether the MBA diploma, the elegant beige Porsche 911 Turbo Cabrio and all the multi-million dollar deals concluded over 12 years and whether they save when highly qualified marketing and sales executives push themselves out of the company under the knee and are left alone with their eternal morgue, wife and two teenage children.
In general, Ben Affleck had already played it off Kevin Smith in Jersey Girl, but there it was more intimate and intimate, and here he is one of many thrown out for the sake of optimizing costs. Ben, as usual, is very good in tailor-made suits as a sales director, in checkered shirts and tread shoes as a carpenter, very sincere, emotional and convincing. And suffers, and rejoices, and laughs, and cries from the heart, not because it is written in the script, well, not like Smith, but still very real.
Tommy Lee Jones is here, as usual, inimitable and very human, their duet with Maria Bello is delightful, she is a luxurious woman and a wonderful actress, and it seems that they really like to work in a couple, it feels straight to the skin, they are like just lovers here, but a lot of human and so warm between them, just a miracle.
Chris Cooper, as usual, in the second roles, but so piercingly plays the drama of a man not too strong in spirit that again a lump to the throat, in this he simply has no equal, maybe, if only John C. Riley.
Absolutely remarkable and very different from himself former Kevin Costner, brutal, verbose and understanding, aged only a little.
Serial girl Susanne Rico, playing the wife of Mr. Affleck looks very much like Rebecca Hall and very in business, but there is a suspicion that maybe Rebecca was also called here, the more Ben worked with her in The Town, I think with her all that jazz would be even more spectacular.
A special curtsey to costume artists is a magnificent, very concise and verified work.
British DP Roger Deakins is absolutely stunning, the picture is flawless, very strict and at the same time exactly the way you need it, nothing superfluous, restrained, but very memorable. He shot the last Bond. Brilliant cameraman, sometimes a little like Rodrigo Prieto of Babel and Wall Street 2.
The Company did not have a wide release in Russia, but this is the case when a small budget and an ideal cast and crew are more than enough combination to create a strong, high-quality, concise and very human cinema. I don't care about the box office. Bravo!
A large corporation with a multi-billion dollar turnover is losing profits due to declining business activity associated with the crisis. The board of directors is faced with the choice of either selling excess real estate or reducing staff. The choice fell on the office workers. One of the dismissed was Bobby (Ban Affleck), who made a good career in the firm, which did not prevent him from being thrown overboard and he was not the last victim of the crisis.
Ben Affleck's hero is a manager just above average. His income allowed him to pay for a loan for a good house, property taxes, a good car and membership in a prestigious golf club. All this required considerable financial costs, but it was necessary to maintain the image of a successful American. With all the external well-being, there was practically no money in the bank account, which did not allow making at least some savings. Because very soon the whole entourage evaporated and Bobby was forced to look for work, which is not easy in a crisis. Self-esteem gradually but steadily decreased. As a result, Bobby agreed to work as an accomplice in the construction team of his wife’s brother (Kevin Costner). Ben Affleck did well in this role. He was able to show the inner experiences of his hero, who managed to correctly set life priorities. This is a great achievement for his wife (Maria Bello). Being from a simple family, she quickly got used to her husband’s new job. Pragmatically and without any problems reacted to the lowering of social status. She is happy with her husband even in the parental home and she is glad that his work has become less time-consuming and her husband began to pay more attention to her.
Tommy Lee Jones played the man who stood at the origins of the Corporation. He loved his firm when he made a few hundred dollars and when his salary was in the millions, but he was fired. “Old Wolf” was briefly depressed and once again organized a new business from scratch.
John Wells made a film in the form of a textbook What to do if you were fired? For all its social significance, it turned out to be too edifying, optimistic and slightly superficial. In the end, of course, happy ending. All this does not allow to put a high value on this creation.
One can be surprised how many “stars” of the first magnitude in cinema agreed to participate in a film about the consequences of the global financial crisis. I don’t think that their agreement meant that they had a crisis with profits, but rather it was a generous (sorry for the pathos) attempt to cheer ordinary people in a difficult time of forced downtime and lack of money.
But somehow that support was very vague. The whole picture is set in absolute depressive tones, it seemed the colors of the picture - the gray tonality was chosen - and the musical accompaniment with its low notes, which was more in a depressed state than, on the contrary, gave hope. Only in rare episodes did something resembling a light at the end of the tunnel appear.
In general, "In the company of men" is a completely strong, but purely American melodrama, since for our mentality and lifestyle, all the examples presented in the picture are not suitable.
If you look at the acting, no one was particularly impressed. Playing above the average level, would single out Chris Cooper with his voluminous character drama, the wisdom of the hero from Kevin Costner and the duality of the image of Maria Bello, but the main thing seems to be the actor Ben Effleck and continues to exploit the image with a bulletproof face and a look full of tears, which began with Alien ticket Tommy Lee Jones? He is like a gray cardinal in the tape, a wise old man, ready to give practical life advice to the younger generation.
Personally, I was not hooked by this film, shot with the motto for a man “Never give up”, I did not feel the proper level of drama, internal tension, rather it is just a narrative, and similar ones can be found in almost every adult on the street, and the suffering of Americans in this case does not touch.
6 out of 10
This tape American producer and screenwriter John Wells debuted in a feature film. For the debut, Wells assembled an excellent cast (Ben Affleck, Tommy Lee Jones, Chris Cooper, Craig T. Nelson, Rosemary DeWitt, Maria Bello and Kevin Costner).
One day you earn $50, the second $50,000, the third $5 million. It starts small. At first you only think about how to feed your family, gradually you have everything: the stock market, corporate jets, vacations in the Bahamas, and you start thinking about how not to lose it all.
In 2008, the U.S. financial system continues its decline, followed by the mortgage crisis, a period of recession. In an effort to prevent shareholder outflows, big industrial company GTX is launching the first wave of layoffs and cuts. Even senior managers (CIOs) cannot stay in their seats.
The position of CIO (or IT-Director) is quite young, which has received the greatest development in the last decade, it was during this period that a huge increase in the number of these specialists was noted. At the same time, it is almost impossible to give any precise definition of the functions that fall within the responsibilities of the CIO, because of their multidirectional nature, but one thing can be said with confidence CIO should know all about the state of its company (or department), as well as any situation related to its activities.
In the old days in our factory, in one shift worked 2,000 people, only three shifts, that is, a total of 6,000, they had something that we do not have, their ship. They felt it, felt it, could touch it. What do we have, just numbers on the balance?
Wells confronts the viewer with people of different generations who, for various reasons, were engaged in this field. Without concentrating on the causes, consequences, impact of the economic crisis, but choosing it as the main engine of his story, Wells tells us about the situation in which the entire financial system is crowded with people who are aimed only at obtaining the greatest benefit, people who have lost the ability to live, being outside these goals. In contrast to them, Wells puts Jack Dolan (Kevin Costner) the head of the construction team, a man with a completely different philosophy and different views on life.
P.S.: The Company Men didn’t have much success at the home box office, with a budget of $15,000,000, raising only a third of that amount. In Russian rental tape did not come out.
