Well made, stylish crime caper with a great cast

Rating: 8/10 (22 February 2011)

The Town seems to be highly appreciated, well received film by critics and movie goers a like. It has received some awards although the main awards have only gone to Jeremy Renner as he is a critic favourite since his turn in The Hurt Locker. I think where The Town is successful is that it appeals to the main stream action thriller audience but also has a powerful cast, great performances, a lot of depth and something critics can sink their teeth into and that isn't an easy feat. The film focuses on anti-heroes and you will root for the bad guy despite yourself. Boston, of course, plays a huge part in the film as the entire back drop and makes you feel like you are right there with them feeling the adrenaline of the robberies and the intensity of being chased. Part mystery, part action, part thriller and with a dash of drama it is one of those films that has a little of everything to please everyone. However strange the romance in the film is, it still plays itself out throughout the film.
Ben Affleck directs and stars in the film proving he still has a lot of talent left in a career some were surmising was washed up. Affleck's Doug is a powerful character that is both a bad-ass villain and an anti-hero at the same time. His character has a lot of layers and definitely easy to watch. Jeremy Renner makes Affleck's character look like a hero. Renner's "Jem" is twisted and disturbed and really creepy. He is the perfect villain to the entire story. Renner and Affleck have a palpable chemistry. Rebecca Hall is decent as the bank manager who is victimized unknowingly by Affleck's crew and then begins a relationship with Affleck. Her character is a little less interesting as the male cast, she is more means to an end as far as Affleck's character goes but she does well and has good chemistry with Affleck. I've never found Jon Hamm to be a very versatile actor but the role of business man or in this case a determined FBI Agent fits him very well because he is an intensity about him. The great character actor Pete Postlethwaite is excellent as the mobster of the film. Every scene he is in is terrific and its unfortunate he isn't used more. Another great character actor Chris Cooper has a good cameo as Affleck's father although he doesn't get a lot of screen time.
Say what you will about Ben Affleck's career but as a director and as an actor he has proved he knows how to show some intensity. His previous directorial Gone Baby Gone showed some really great intensity and now this film proves he can direct great action as well. He has a passion for films and sometimes it works and sometimes he stumbles but as long as he keeps finding or making films like The Town he will be the star he deserves to be. To top off the trifecta he also co-wrote The Town ensuring that everything happens the way he wants it to. He knows what people like at the movies and action thriller fans will love The Town. Although it easily fits into the crime caper genre it doesn't feel like a re-hash of other similar films like Heat for instance. The Town stands on its own and is well worth seeing! 8.5/10