The Company Men

Colour, 35 mm
USA, 2010, 108 min
IP – International premiere
Section: Official Selection - Out of Competition

Synopsis

Bobby Walker, Gene McClary, and Phil Woodward are employees of a large Boston-based company that until recently was prospering. With the economic downturn, however, these three men of differing ages, who diligently served the company, are faced with the reality of being laid off. Over the course of a year, each comes to terms in his own way with feelings of disbelief, absurdity, injustice. They have to try to find new meaning in their lives and, above all, get themselves back on track. This means not only accepting a new living standard but also readjusting their priorities. The task wouldn’t be so hard if it didn’t so painfully affect their family situations, which were created and, till now, thrived in relation to the heroes’ economic status…. This straightforward psychological drama investigates the impact of the global economic crisis on three rather ordinary men. Highly-regarded television producer, screenwriter, and director John Wells cast Ben Affleck, Tommy Lee Jones, and Chris Cooper in his feature directorial debut.

About the director

John Wells (b. 1956) graduated in fine arts (1979), followed by a master’s degree in film and television from the University of Southern California (1982). In the next few decades he worked his way to becoming one of the USA’s most highly-regarded screenwriters, directors, and producers. He was the creative force behind the TV series "ER,” "The West Wing,” "Third Watch,” and "China Beach,” and  executive producer on the NBC crime drama "Southland.” The programs connected to his name have earned 267 Emmy nominations, winning a total of 55 of the prestigious TV awards. In 2003 he directed an episode of the series "The F.B.I. Files,” and between 1998 and 2009 he directed nine episodes of "ER.” He also executive produced Robert Altman’s ballet film The Company (2003) and Todd Haynes’ inventive biopic I’m Not There (2007). The Company Men is his feature film debut.