THE HEADHUNTER'S CALLING / A FAMILY MAN (2016)

Summary:

Dane Jensen is a driven corporate headhunter in Chicago, relentlessly pursuing his career ambitions while striving to provide for his family. His professional life is a cutthroat battle for supremacy at his firm, where he's vying for the top position against a formidable rival. However, his carefully constructed world is thrown into chaos when his ten-year-old son, Ryan, is diagnosed with cancer.

Forced to confront the fragility of life and his own priorities, Dane finds himself torn between the demands of his high-stakes job and the desperate need to be present for his son and wife during an unimaginable family crisis. The film explores themes of ambition, family sacrifice, and the difficult choices one makes when faced with life-altering circumstances, ultimately questioning what truly defines success and happiness.

Keywords: The Headhunter's Calling, A Family Man, 2016, Gerard Butler, Alison Brie, Willem Dafoe, Drama, Family, Corporate.

Plot:

Dane Jensen is a workaholic headhunter at a top-tier recruitment agency in Chicago, focused on landing lucrative deals and securing a promotion to CEO, a position his boss, Ed Blackridge, is vacating. He is in fierce competition with his equally ambitious colleague, Lynn Wilson. At home, Dane's relentless pursuit of professional success often leaves his wife, Elise, and their three children feeling neglected. His son, Ryan, is particularly sensitive to his father's frequent absences and preoccupation.

The family's life takes a devastating turn when Ryan is diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. This crisis forces Dane to re-evaluate his priorities. While he attempts to balance his demanding job, which includes a critical client pitch for a major tech company, with his son's increasingly intensive medical treatments, the strain on his marriage and family grows. Elise urges him to be more present, while Ryan's condition deteriorates, leading to painful chemotherapy sessions and a difficult prognosis. Dane struggles to be the supportive father Ryan needs, often bringing his work anxieties into the hospital room.

As Ryan's health worsens, Dane is faced with an ultimatum from Elise: choose his family or his career. He eventually makes the difficult decision to step away from the corporate rat race and prioritize his son's remaining time. He dedicates himself fully to Ryan, creating cherished memories and helping him fulfill his last wishes, including a memorable birthday celebration. Though Ryan ultimately succumbs to his illness, Dane finds a new sense of purpose and connection with his family. The film concludes with Dane, having found peace and a deeper understanding of what truly matters, starting his own, more balanced, recruitment business.

Cast (Lead Roles):

• Gerard Butler as Dane Jensen
• Alison Brie as Elise Jensen
• Willem Dafoe as Ed Blackridge
• Alfred Molina as Lou Wheeler
• Max Jenkins as Ryan Jensen
• Gretchen Mol as Lynn Wilson

Crew:

• Director: Mark Williams
• Writer: Bill Dubuque
• Producers: Gerard Butler, Alan Siegel, Mark Williams, Nicolas Chartier
• Cinematography: Eliseo Richards
• Editor: Thom Noble
• Music: Mark Isham

Release Info:

• Original Release Date: July 28, 2017 (United States)
• Language: English
• Genre: Drama
• Running Time: 108 minutes
• Accolades: None significant