Whose company

In the 1980's America and Britain almost uniquely embraced Milton Friedman's Monetarism and the Chicago School's brand of neo-liberal economic policies became dominant if far from popular. Trickle down economics as it has unaffectionately become to be known as. And so began a massive asset-stripping of both countries industrial bases. The theory was that everyone could move into service jobs, that any shortfalls would be made up by the Financial sector and manufacturing could be done for a pittance in developing countries and we'd all be better off as a result. That was the theory. Cut to thirty years later and Writer and Director John Wells uses the resultant down-sizing experiment as the backdrop to this longish, slightly drawn out tale of post-industrial woe and the male emancipation that accompanies it in what's left of America's shipbuilding industry. The film is called The Company Men.

Unfortunately there's a perfunctory air about the whole picture despite the gravity of the subject. It's upbeat and hope-filled in places, it's smartly done and well-produced, realistic too but somehow there's a forced feeling about the whole affair. All the performances ring true however; especially Tommy Lee-Jones's world-weary Patrician figure struggling against his own demons and that of the company he has helped build which is shedding jobs in full down-sizing glory. As too is the equally fatigued though more distraught Chris Cooper. Ben Affleck is suitably cast as the young and capable upwardly mobile type dealt an unfortunate and frustrating hand in the midst of an otherwise loving marriage and mostly happy home life. And a surprising turn by Kevin Costner as a blue-collar all round good-egg type adds to proceedings in a pretty satisfying way.

I think though that it struggles to reach the emotional heights it obviously sets itself up to and as something of a consequence doesn't ultimately say much despite covering some fairly serious issues. I don't want to knock it too much because it's a relief that Hollywood is taking on such a subject at all but I came away feeling largely unmoved. Perhaps I am too connected to the subject matter as my Grandfather worked in the Shipbuilding industry so I have long dealt with the anger I felt over the betrayal that I believe these men and their communities were subjected to by a bunch of right-wing idealogues more concerned with their place in history than the lives of millions. Perhaps I just wanted too much from it and thus was bound to be disappointed. But it's a brave and not insubstantial attempt to get to the heart of these matters and despite my reservations believe it deserves to be seen.