'The Company Men' a sharp commentary on modern life

Wells switches from TV to the big screen as writer and director of this insightful, compassionate even, drama about the trauma of being downsized – that awful term for being dumped from your job, often after long and loyal service – in today’s current financial disaster.

We see how three guys and their families must face the loss of their jobs, and self-respect, when fired from a Boston company.

Such a dilemma is being faced by so many people, ourselves or people we know, that most of us wish merely to keep our heads down and pray the axe doesn’t come swinging in our direction and, anyway, why should we care about characters who still, on the face of it, live well?

Wells with a sympathetic eye makes us care and we care additionally because the performances are so spot on, particularly from the excellent Affleck as the cocky Bobby Walker facing his downfall and Costner who turns in a fine show as the blue-collar, hands-on relative who is turned to for possible salvation.

A timely film for the times we live in.

Star Rating: 4/5