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Created Aug 09, 2011 10:38AM PST • Edited Aug 09, 2011 10:38AM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Very Good 3.5

   A solid core of actors help convey the sense of panic, frustration, and despair that happens in The Company Men when a shipbuilding company fires employees because of budget cuts. Ben Affleck stars in this motion picture about executives who have their worlds turned upside down after being terminated by a company looking to improve its bottom line. From denial, to panic, to struggling to make ends meet, the horror of sudden termination is captured as Affleck and several other executives lose their jobs.

   In a sense, this movie is a great character study on how we each deal with stress. From denying there is a problem, to using alcohol as an escape, the stress can be overwhelming. As someone who lost my own mid-level Director job at a large hospital, I felt the anguish that was on the screen, with each emotional overture echoing true.

   The reality of our current fiscal crisis is affecting more people each day. This movie should serve as a reminder to those who cut jobs in the interest of creating a larger profit.

4. Acting

   OK 2.5

5. Male Stars Good 3.0

   Affleck is godd in his role as the displaced young executive, struggling to take care of his family. He captures all of the emotions needed for his role.

   Tommy Lee Jones and Chris Cooper put in equally balanced, yet opposite portrayals of men struggling to find meaning in the layoffs.

   Kevin Costner gives what I consider to be his best perfromance in a long while as the blue collar carpenter brother-in-law of Affleck, who has a better understanding of human nature and needs than we intially realize. Impressive job by Mr. Costner.

6. Female Stars OK 2.5

7. Female Costars OK 2.5

8. Male Costars OK 2.5

10. Film

    Good 3.0

    A powerful film that is nicely made by director/writer John Wells. His balance between characters keeps the film from becoming too bogged down in any one particular dilemma, and offers an honest look at a terrible problem.

11. Direction Good 3.0

    See above comments.

12. Play Good 3.0

13. Music Good 3.0

14. Visuals Good 3.0

    The vast emptiness of the closed shipyard is great metaphorical imagery for characters struggling to find their own feelings of self-worth.

15. Content

16. Edge

    Risqué 2.1

17. Sex Titillating 2.5

18. Violence Fierce 1.6

19. Rudeness Salty 2.3

21. Reality

    Natural 1.0

22. Circumstantial Natural 1.0

23. Biological Natural 1.0

24. Physical Natural 1.0