Money’s too tight to mention

– Jason Beck
BEHIND the eyeballs of every man lurks his greatest fear – losing his job, and with it his identity.
“The Company Men” – my early nomination for film of the year – deftly probes this mental open wound.
The human face of the Global Financial Crisis is skillfully brought to the screen here, as the impacts of the economic tsunami on one American company are examined.
But the focus is on the workers – and particularly Ben Affleck’s character, a cocky salesman who cares more about his golf handicap than the balance sheet.
Affleck adds a great emotional range here, reminiscent of his performance in “The Town”.
The audience moves from initially almost enjoying the hubris that leads to his downfall, to sympathy as the big house goes and the Porsche is driven away by its new owner.
Affleck is joined by a stellar cast, who play their roles to perfection.
But it’s the themes and examinations of “real” work, global economics, profit and loss, the emotional role our jobs have in our lives and the need for self-fulfilment that really take centre stage here.
This film engages its audience in a way I have not seen a movie do for some time.
Despite the unashamedly male focus and subject matter, Cinema Europa at Southland was jam-packed with women feasting on these meaty roles.
Currently playing on far too few screens, this film deserved a wider release.