The Company Men

“The Company Men,” a drama set in high society present day, begins by laying out the lives of three men working for one company, GTX. Gene, the highest on the company ladder is best friends with the CEO, with whom he started GTX. Gene is Bobby’s boss, who is an up and coming salesman. But within the first ten minutes of the movie, Bobby gets fired from his job by Gene’s best friend, the CEO. Most of the movie centers around Bobby and his family. He has a wife and two kids, and they all live in an enormous house and have a club membership at the golf course. Phil, who has worked for the company for thirty years and began in the warehouse, has an overpaid position, and, once Bobby gets fired, starts worrying. He has a daughter getting ready to go to college at an elite school and a wife who spends most of her days in bed.

Thus begins the downward spiral of events that leads to the two other men being fired, and the remainder of the movie shows how the three men deal with their new lives in different ways.

The reasons why or why not to watch this movie can easily be told by looking at each of the three men. Partway through the movie, we discover Gene is having an affair. This is where the nudity comes in. Though it is brief, it is very clear. I was very disheartened when I learned of the affair, because I had come to respect his character as being the one to stand up for the rights of his employees. Even to the end, he holds his stand for justice.

Then there is Bobby, who was so caught up in the world of wealth and moving up, that he is completely lost when it comes to dealing with the loss of a job, and, for some time, denies its effects. His lesson is one in humility and trust. He must humble himself in order to provide for his family and trust his family, at the same time.

Phil is another case altogether. He is well over 60 years old and sees his life as hopeless. His wife is not supportive and makes him leave the house and return at the same times each day to keep up the farce that he is still employed! He ends his life in a miserable way, and I couldn’t help but think about how many people give up on life like that, because they don’t have the support of their family or choose the support of God.

Clearly, this movie is rated “R” for a good reason. There is no reason why any child or teen, for that matter, should be watching this movie, since there is no moral learning they can glean at such an age. No, this is a movie for adults who are in the same place as these 3 men. But even then, there is no one who chooses to trust God after such a devastating blow. Gene depends on his wealth. Bobby depends on himself and eventually his family. Phil gives into death. I wanted to scream that there is another choice. In that way, I feel the producer did not do a good job of showing a true depiction of what can happen after a layoff—which I felt was the point of the whole movie. This movie had the potential to be truly inspiring, but the most inspiring thing that happens is that Bobby learns to trust his wife. This is a good lesson, but it is not the pinnacle of every man’s life. If it is, then countless men have failed.

No, the only immovable One we can trust is God alone, and He is the only one who loves us irrevocably and unconditionally. Unfortunately, these godly attributes are given to Bobby’s wife.

I would suggest this movie to those in each family who are the ones who feel the most pressure in their jobs. And only then, if the language and nudity don’t offend. Gene can teach that we need to stand up for the little guy. Bobby can teach that sometimes we need some humbling. Phil can teach us not to take our own way out. THERE IS ANOTHER WAY.

“I am the way, the truth and the life” —Jesus (John 14:6).

Violence: Minor / Profanity: Heavy / Sex/Nudity: Moderate

See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.