The Town Review

The Town is an adaptation from the novel The Prince Of Thieves. Ben Affleck plays on it and directs it. And he picked a cast never seemingly to fail. As it turns out, the movie doesn't.

Doug MacRay (Affleck) is the mastermind of a Boston bank robbery crew of four; most notably the wild and trigger-happy James "Jem" Coughlin (Jeremy Renner in yet another stunning performance). They successfully robbed a bank and held hostage a girl, Claire (Rebecca Hall). Turns out Claire lives only a few blocks from their neighborhood in Boston, claimed the bank robbery capital of the world. When Doug stalks poor Claire, things took a turn: he fell for her. Later, they have to make one last heist. Before you say "hey, thats Public Enemy", i say: Ah, but there's more. The "more" part involves me spoiling the movie out. So you'll have to see it for yourself.

The connections of characters in this movie is very believable, thanks to a very astute cast. Blake Lively plays Jem's sister, in love all her life with MacRay (and a splendid job at that by the Gossip Girl alumn). The ever-so-charming Jon Hamm plays Frawley, an FBI agent pursuing the gang of four. Peter Postlewhaite plays the godfather-like The Florist (too bad he doesn't have more screeentime). Affleck himself did a pretty good job. But the most impressive persona in this movie has to be Jeremy Renner.

Emerging from the ashes of The Hurt Locker is the almost-cliche James Coughlin: former inmate, jumpy loose cannon, dependant yet hard-mannered. Renner played the part with such poise we almost forgot he was Sgt. William James, a war-junkie. Almost as impressive is Ben Affleck's direction. The city of Bahs-Ten (i mean Boston) itself is a character. It explains a lot about what goes on. Affleck does a good job capturing the hood of the city. And I like the way the story offers a lot of coincidence and giving chance a break, because not everything in life is so predictable. Lastly, notice the scene where MacRay, Jem and Claire talks in a cornerstreet cafe. It is so chilling, I became so in dillused in the scene, feeling the same way MacRay does about a certain tattoo. If a movie can do that, it sure is a good one in my book.

Of course the movie isn't perfect. It could do more. The ending kinda roasted. Some of the character could've done more. Jon Hamm could play a more aggresive FBI agent. Like I said, The Florist could be given more screen time. And in time, Ben Affleck can (and will) be a more proven director. Just you wait and see.

Verdict: 3.5 stars (out of 5)


Note:
The Town is nominated for a Critics Choice Award for Best Acting Ensemble (this means a group of cast as a whole.
Jeremy Renner is nominated for a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild Award for performances by male in a supporting role.