Elements Bits: The Company Men

Cast:

Ben Affleck - Bobby Walker
Tommy Lee Jones - Gene McClary
Chris Cooper - Phil Woodward
Kevin Costner - Jack Dolan

A couple of years back, almost every country may have been hit by the recession in the United States.

Huge global enterprises downsizing, financial institutions going bankrupt, and mid-sized companies folded up. Several companies around the world had to adapt and make drastic changes to ensure that they stay afloat with the industry they are in and to be at pace with the competition.

The Company Men tells the different lives of men who strive to support their families after being part of a redundancy exercise at their previous employer. All were not spared. Even the characters of TLJ and CC, (Gene and Phil), who are senior executives in this major corporation, were eventually fired.

The movie shows what the struggles are in finding a job, how Bobby (Ben Affleck's character) must lower his pride by taking a position with lesser pay or even two levels down from his previous job title, and eventually ending up working as a carpenter for Kevin Costner. (Bobby's brother-in-law) But it was not that easy for Gene and Phil since they were pushing beyond their golden years already, and although they are seasoned and well-experienced, the market demands for younger, more robust individuals for their companies. And hard labor was definitely not a viable option for the both of them.

Watch how one overcomes unemployment while another one loses hope and explores the thought of ending all his miseries, how one never gives up and continues what they have been doing for so many years. How each family show their support in times of need.

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Elements Bits number 1:
What are you willing to sacrifice? You will probably recognize the drama of the movie since most of us may have experienced this once in our lives. The reality of giving something up, such as a lifestyle you have had for many years just to be able to put food on the table. Living within your means. It's not about maintaining a certain social status anymore by still paying expensive memberships in prestigious golf clubs and mortgages for vacation houses along beaches and in the countrysides. You have to face reality and go down to the bare necessities so you can be able to provide for your family.

Elements Bits number 2:
Jack of all Trades. It doesn't hurt to learn a few tricks here and there. If there are opportunities or training available for you to be able to broaden your skill set, it's best you grab it. It also doesn't hurt to be able to do the grunt work. This way you are well-rounded and can be considered as an asset and an integral part of the company. Worst case scenario, if you are part of a redundancy, you can easily shift from one department or position to another with your diverse sets of competencies.

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Memorable Quotes:

Gene: "Well, what is the criteria for getting canned this time? Gary Hunt's put on a few pounds, maybe we should let him go. And I hear Jill Carter has cancer, we could save a bundle on her insurance premiums, hmm?"
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Paul: "I'm confident all of these dismissals will stand up to outside legal scrutiny."
Gene: "What about ethical scrutiny?"
Paul: "We are not breaking any laws, Gene."
Gene: "I guess I always assumed we were trying for a higher standard than that, Paul."
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Bobby: "I will win. Why? Because I have faith, courage, enthusiasm."
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Bobby: "We work as hard in here everyday as we did trying to get a job, we are gonna be all right. What's the worst thing they could do? Fire us?"