The Town is the latest venture for Ben Affleck as both director and actor working on a script which came originally from the book, Prince of Thieves by Chuck Hogan. According to the info on the movie, over 300 bank robberies take place in Boston every year which makes this the perfect place for The Town. Affleck has brought together a great cast which includes Rebecca Hall, Jon Hamm, Jeremy Renner, Blake Lively and the late Pete Postlethwaite.
The Town opens with an action packed bank robbery where we get to learn a little about the characters realising that Jem (Renner) could end up turning into the bad guy for the movie where as Affleck (Doug MacRay) plays the level headed gang leader. After the opening sequence, the gang realise that bank employee, Claire (Hall) lives just around the block from Affleck so they have to go through a very careful process of approaching her to find out if she knows anything. The predictable happens, a love affair ensues and the movie opens up into a game of cat and mouse for both the FBI and Affleck & Hall’s love life.
Postlethwaite plays the gang lord who needs the gang to complete one final robbery before they enter retirement and this is where the issues all start with Jem wanting to complete the missions but Doug wanting to hold back until the heat is off them from the previous heist. With the pressure building they have to decide if this final robbery is actually worth it.
The movie is set in and around Affleck’s hometown of Boston (or more specifically, Charlestown hence the title of the movie) bringing out many of the sights and sounds from the city including a rather large closing sequence based around the fabulous Fenway Park, home to the Boston Red Sox.The cast is fabulous with a great performance from Affleck, Blake Lively, Jeremy Renner, Rebeca Hall and Pete Postlethwaite.
I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. Everything about it was spot on with the casting choices, locations and storyline. If you wasn’t a crime action / thriller with a good story then this is a good one for you.
[Rating:4/5]
The Town is available to buy here and rent here. Check out the trailer below.
