The Company Men

The Company Men

The Company Men is an honest film that paints a somewhat unpleasant picture of how the corporate world changes many lives by downsizing. It evolves around the lives of three men working for one company, GTX. This movie contains many messages about coping with change, preparing for a realistic financial future, and offers many lessons on the steps one should take and on how to regroup, both practically and emotionally, after losing a job. There is little doubt that losing a job is among the most traumatic events that can happen in one’s life. Losing a job not only means loss of income and the uncertainty and worry that accompanies such a loss, but also loss of self-esteem and loss of confidence in the future. There is no security; there is no reward for loyalty as shown in the movie. And while thousands of workers lose their jobs, corporate executives, that is, those who actually own these companies, pay themselves millions of dollars.

During it all the three men, Bobby, Gene and Phil, feel the highs and lows of life and it's ever changing economic and social climates brought about by the aftermath of getting fired. Bobby, being arrogant and self-assured, thinks that it will take him only a few days to find a new job. At the motivational training seminars, he is reluctant to participate in the group activities, choosing to remain pessimistic. He believes that he can find a new position on his own terms. The importance of bonding with and supporting others in the same boat is something he learns to appreciate. It tells us that we must not assume that we can do things on our own always. One must also learn to rediscover and reinvent one’s self. Phil Cooper also ends up at the job placement center with Bobby. He tries to change up his image and tries to make himself appear more youthful. But Phil remains isolated from the others. He locks himself away in his private office at the center and eventually stops trying to look for work. He cannot see a...