"The Town" Film Review
U.S. Bank (Robbers)
3 Stars
As featured in: The Ithacan
Loss, disappointment and dissatisfaction hang heavy over Ben Affleck’s second film “The Town,” an action-drama set in the bank robbery capital of America. A cast featuring Ben Affleck, Chris Cooper and Jeremy Renner fill this film with solid performances. While heist movies like Stephen Soderberg’s “Ocean’s Eleven” feature no realistic consequences for the characters in those film, life changing situations await Ben Affleck and Co. in this emotionally charged picture.
Heist movies seem to center around a criminal committing to one last job before retiring and living a fairy tale life. “The Town” takes this tired premise and tweaks it just a bit, injecting equal parts heart-wrenching drama and high-octane action. Ben Affleck stars as Doug MacRay, a leader of a tight crew that is among the best bank robbers in Boston. In the opening scene MacRay and his partner Jem Coughlin (Jeremy Renner) snatch a pretty bank manager for ransom. Claire Keesey (Rebecca Hall) the manager, is released without injury, but has the ability to identify Coughlin by a tattoo on his neck. MacRay ultimately follows her leading to a romantic entanglement. But the uncanny relationship is enough to make MacRay reconsider if he wants to end up just like his dad (Cooper), locked up for life.
What makes “The Town” stand out is its integration of solid cinematography, editing and direction. Affleck also is a likable lead despite his character being a bad guy for most of the movie. Affleck also uses his intimate knowledge of Boston to create a realistic, thriving setting. In a way Affleck is becoming Boston’s version of New York auteur Martin Scorsese. That being said Boston doesn’t impose itself and distract the viewer as the cliché New York City skyline might. The storyline is front and center due to the methodical unraveling of the action.
Writers Peter Craig, Ben Affleck and Aaron Stockard deliver a fine script, but it does have a few holes. For example in one scene Coughlin (Renner) comes out of nowhere, upsetting MacRay while chatting up Keesey. The anger on Doug’s face is never addressed by his love interest despite the severe implications visit could have caused. MacRay’s crew also robs banks at will despite working full time jobs. No suspicion regarding Doug or Coughlin’s whereabouts is ever raised by anyone besides the FBI.
But the FBI in “The Town” isn’t reliable. The taskforce charged with capturing Doug and his pals seems to be led by the Three Stooges. Jon Hamm, of AMC’s "Mad Men" stars opposite Affleck as Special Agent Adam Frawley. The macho man Hamm plays is downright silly and unbelievable. Despite the countless close calls to capture Affleck, which end with the FBI running around like fools, Frawley just brushes off each failure nonchalantly. If Hamm was given the proper motivation he could have crafted Special Agent Adam Frawley into a character who grows increasingly frustrated, yet motivated, each time MacRay gets away.
In “The Town” visceral car chase scenes combine with urban firefights to wow even the most discriminatory of audiences. And if action doesn’t suit you, appearances by drop dead Gossip Girl actress Blake Lively and Rebecca Hall will. With a tried and true plot invigorated by Ben Affleck’s fresh approach it’s not hard to call "The Town” fall’s first blockbuster.
“The Town” was written by Peter Craig, Ben Affleck and Aaron Stockard and directed by Ben Affleck.
Checkout the trailer below and be sure to check your pockets when you're all done:
https://www.youtube.com/embed/WcXt9aUMbBk"
As always thanks for reading!
©2011 Matthew R. Reis, All rights reserved.
3 Stars
As featured in: The Ithacan
Loss, disappointment and dissatisfaction hang heavy over Ben Affleck’s second film “The Town,” an action-drama set in the bank robbery capital of America. A cast featuring Ben Affleck, Chris Cooper and Jeremy Renner fill this film with solid performances. While heist movies like Stephen Soderberg’s “Ocean’s Eleven” feature no realistic consequences for the characters in those film, life changing situations await Ben Affleck and Co. in this emotionally charged picture.
Heist movies seem to center around a criminal committing to one last job before retiring and living a fairy tale life. “The Town” takes this tired premise and tweaks it just a bit, injecting equal parts heart-wrenching drama and high-octane action. Ben Affleck stars as Doug MacRay, a leader of a tight crew that is among the best bank robbers in Boston. In the opening scene MacRay and his partner Jem Coughlin (Jeremy Renner) snatch a pretty bank manager for ransom. Claire Keesey (Rebecca Hall) the manager, is released without injury, but has the ability to identify Coughlin by a tattoo on his neck. MacRay ultimately follows her leading to a romantic entanglement. But the uncanny relationship is enough to make MacRay reconsider if he wants to end up just like his dad (Cooper), locked up for life.
What makes “The Town” stand out is its integration of solid cinematography, editing and direction. Affleck also is a likable lead despite his character being a bad guy for most of the movie. Affleck also uses his intimate knowledge of Boston to create a realistic, thriving setting. In a way Affleck is becoming Boston’s version of New York auteur Martin Scorsese. That being said Boston doesn’t impose itself and distract the viewer as the cliché New York City skyline might. The storyline is front and center due to the methodical unraveling of the action.
Writers Peter Craig, Ben Affleck and Aaron Stockard deliver a fine script, but it does have a few holes. For example in one scene Coughlin (Renner) comes out of nowhere, upsetting MacRay while chatting up Keesey. The anger on Doug’s face is never addressed by his love interest despite the severe implications visit could have caused. MacRay’s crew also robs banks at will despite working full time jobs. No suspicion regarding Doug or Coughlin’s whereabouts is ever raised by anyone besides the FBI.
But the FBI in “The Town” isn’t reliable. The taskforce charged with capturing Doug and his pals seems to be led by the Three Stooges. Jon Hamm, of AMC’s "Mad Men" stars opposite Affleck as Special Agent Adam Frawley. The macho man Hamm plays is downright silly and unbelievable. Despite the countless close calls to capture Affleck, which end with the FBI running around like fools, Frawley just brushes off each failure nonchalantly. If Hamm was given the proper motivation he could have crafted Special Agent Adam Frawley into a character who grows increasingly frustrated, yet motivated, each time MacRay gets away.
In “The Town” visceral car chase scenes combine with urban firefights to wow even the most discriminatory of audiences. And if action doesn’t suit you, appearances by drop dead Gossip Girl actress Blake Lively and Rebecca Hall will. With a tried and true plot invigorated by Ben Affleck’s fresh approach it’s not hard to call "The Town” fall’s first blockbuster.
“The Town” was written by Peter Craig, Ben Affleck and Aaron Stockard and directed by Ben Affleck.
Checkout the trailer below and be sure to check your pockets when you're all done:
https://www.youtube.com/embed/WcXt9aUMbBk"
As always thanks for reading!
©2011 Matthew R. Reis, All rights reserved.
I liked this movie too. Great review.
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