The Company Men Review

Messages: The movie makes the point that many people define themselves by their work and by the stuff they buy with the money they earn at work -- and, in doing so, sometimes neglect more important things, including family and loyalty. The characters in this film learn a new set of values after being stripped of the jobs that are, initially, the core of their identities.

Role models: Some of the executives are notable for their loyalty to their employees, going out of their way to protect jobs and take care of their longtime colleagues. Others are smarmy corporate suits who are happy to take home a fat paycheck while laying off thousands of people in an attempt to boost the company’s stock price. While it’s clear that loyalty is to be valued, those who lack it still get rich. It’s just business.

Violence: One man, dispirited and depressed, throws rocks at his former office building.

Sex: A woman is briefly shown topless after getting out of bed; her naked back is also seen, as are shots of her putting on a bra. Couples are sometimes shown talking in bed, before or after having sex.

Language: Frequent language includes “s--t,” “d--k,” “f--k,” and “motherf--ker.”

Consumerism: Many consumer brands are mentioned or appear on screen, including a Porsche and Titleist golf clubs. One of the film's key themes is the accumulation of expensive consumer products, and some scenes feature people talking about expensive purchases and planning shopping trips.

Drinking, drugs and smoking: Some social drinking. Several scenes take place in bars as disheartened, unemployed people drown their frustrations and are sometimes shown quite drunk. One character smokes occasionally.