Bank robbers in Charlestown, Boston.

Rating: Null/10 (17 January 2011)

The title "The Town" is a reference to that area of Boston, on the north side, called 'Charlestown', or to locals, 'The Town.' It was settled back in the early 1600s, later was annexed by Boston, and built up a heavily Irish Catholic population after the potato famine of the 1840s resulted in many Irish settling there. As the introduction tells, per square mile this area has historically produced more bank robbers than any other area in the world.
It is presumed that robbery is a family trait, passed down to the kids. Ben Affleck is Doug MacRay, his own father is in prison, and his mother disappeared when he was a young boy. In present time he leads a small band of 4 who rob banks, working for the "florist" who comes up with leads and helps to launder the stolen funds.
As the movie opens they are robbing a Boston bank, and in the process find themselves required to take a hostage, British actress Rebecca Hall as Claire Keesey, the assistant bank manager. Blindfolded, she is driven in broad circles and let out near the water, told to walk until her feet feel water. But when they look at her drivers license they stole, find she lives in their neighborhood, and worry that she might recognize them, so they need to consider eliminating her, something they never do.
Through some wise detective work they isolate the guys they think did the crime and begin setting up surveillance to get evidence for a grand jury. This effort is led by Jon Hamm as FBI S.A. Adam Frawley.
This is a very good movie, not simplistic in its approach or in its outcome. There is a sympathetic member of the gang, who wants to make sure Claire does not suffer, and there is a hot-head who seems to have nothing to lose, after 9 years in prison for murder. It is a delicate balancing act to keep the group on task.
Ben Affleck directs and stars, and had a hand in writing the script.
Fine British actor Pete Postlethwaite is a key character as Fergus 'Fergie' Colm, the florist who has his hands on the operations. He died recently, this January 2011, and it was a mixed blessing seeing him in one of his last performances. Chris Cooper was Stephen MacRay, Doug's dad in prison.
SPOILERS: Doug takes it upon himself to watch Claire, to see if she has anything to identify them. Unexpectedly they meet at a laundromat when she asks him if he has change, then they form a friendship which leads to a love affair. She thinks he is a rock-breaker, a laborer. They both decide they want to get out of Boston, maybe to Florida. But when Doug tries to get out of the "business" Fergie threatens him and those he cares about, so he agrees to do the last job, a $3.5Million heist of the Cathedral of Boston, Fenway Park. It doesn't go well, an alarm is tripped, police arrive, a gunfight ensues, eventually all are killed but Doug who escapes in a police uniform. He makes it back to the florist and disposes of him, hides a satchel of money in the community garden that Claire works in, and heads out of town by train. We see that Claire used the money for improvements to a community center for the kids. We see Doug on the bayous of Florida, and the orange he left with the money is her clue to look him up.