The Town Movie Review
THE TOWN: NO MORE MONKEY ON BEN'S BACK
Ben Affleck's sophomore picture The Town is about a group of bank robbers and one of the robber's struggle to break free. The film has superb storytelling and raw performances from Affleck and The Hurt Locker's Jeremy Renner. And it is all set in Ben's hometown.
Doug MacRay (Ben Affleck) is a bank robber. Him and his gang are notorious in Charlestown for how many heists they have pulled off. Something went wrong during the last robbery. James Coughlin (Jeremy Renner) decided to take the bank manager (Rebecca Hall) hostage. Doug takes it upon himself to make sure she doesn't know who they are. Instead he ends up falling in love with her and wanting to go straight. As this is happening, FBI agent Adam Frawley (Jon Hamm) is gathering evidence against him and his buddies.
They say to do a job well, go with what you know. Director Affleck has chosen a story that is based on his own turf, Boston. Just like he did with Gone Baby Gone, he has chosen a story about a likable hero who is trying to do the right thing. And the hero realizes that everything isn't always what they seem. Affleck does an outstanding job as the hero, showing his struggle to abandon the only family he has ever known to start a new life. Jeremy Renner as his best friend James gives a dark portrayal that has a one track mind and doesn't let anybody or anything get in his way. His violent nature clearly shows that he is a product of his environment. The film was shot in Massachusetts and it would have been laughable to be anywhere else. Affleck obviously knows the ins and outs of where he grew up. From the working class neighborhoods, the slums, and even Fenway Park, each setting just gives the film more authenticity.
The Town establishes Ben Affleck as a talented director. But he not only directs and plays the lead, he also co-wrote the script. He is to not be underestimated. He has turned out an outstanding drama that provides great action scenes, a real story, and performances that could be considered Oscar-worthy. The Town is not to be missed.
Report Card:
Story-A
Acting-A
Visuals-A
Originality/Innovation-A
Enjoyability Grade–A
Overall Grade-A
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