Films on Losing a Job – A Drama Collection

Description: This British comedy-drama follows a group of unemployed steelworkers who decide to form a male striptease act to make ends meet. It's a poignant look at unemployment's impact on pride and masculinity.

Fact: The film was a surprise hit, winning an Academy Award for Best Original Musical or Comedy Score. The term "The Full Monty" became synonymous with going all out or doing something completely.

Description: Walter Mitty, a negative assets manager at Life magazine, faces redundancy as the magazine goes digital. His journey to find a missing photograph becomes a quest for self-discovery.

Fact: The film was shot in various locations around the world, including Iceland, Greenland, and New York City, reflecting Mitty's adventurous spirit.

Description: Will Smith delivers a powerful performance as Chris Gardner, a struggling salesman who loses his job and home, embarking on a journey to become a stockbroker while raising his son.

Fact: The film is based on a true story, and the misspelling of "Happiness" in the title is intentional, reflecting a real-life sign that Gardner saw.

Description: While not directly about job loss, this film explores the high stakes of the fashion industry where job security is tenuous, and the protagonist faces the threat of being fired throughout.

Fact: The character of Miranda Priestly was inspired by Vogue editor Anna Wintour, though Wintour herself has denied being the sole inspiration.

Description: Several retirees move to India to live in a supposedly luxurious hotel, only to find it's not what they expected. One character, a former judge, faces the reality of retirement and job loss.

Fact: The film was shot in Jaipur, India, and features a stellar cast of British actors, many of whom were in their later years, reflecting the film's theme of aging and change.

Description: While focusing on the financial crisis, this film shows the personal impact of job loss and economic downturn on various characters, including those who lose their jobs due to the housing market collapse.

Fact: The film uses unconventional narrative techniques, including celebrity cameos to explain complex financial concepts to the audience.

Description: Robert De Niro plays a 70-year-old widower who becomes an intern at a tech startup, facing the challenge of adapting to a new work environment and proving his worth.

Fact: The film was inspired by a real-life program at a tech company where older workers were brought in as interns to share their experience.

Description: George Clooney stars as a corporate downsizer who travels the country firing people, only to face his own redundancy. The film explores the human side of job loss and the search for purpose.

Fact: The film was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture. It was based on a novel by Walter Kirn, but the screenplay significantly altered the plot.

Description: Christian Bale stars as Trevor Reznik, a machinist who hasn't slept in a year and whose life spirals out of control after an accident at work leads to his suspension.

Fact: Bale lost an incredible amount of weight for the role, dropping to around 120 pounds, showcasing his dedication to the character's physical and mental state.

Description: This ensemble drama features Ben Affleck, Tommy Lee Jones, and Chris Cooper as executives who face the harsh reality of corporate downsizing and the struggle to redefine their lives.

Fact: The film was inspired by writer-director John Wells' own experiences with corporate layoffs. It was shot in Massachusetts, where Wells grew up.