Affleck delivers both behind and in front of the camera

Rating: Null/10 (20 October 2010)

Riveting, well-acted cops and robbers crime saga set in the heart of working-class Boston. Doug MacRay—following in the footsteps of his imprisoned, lowlife father—has lived in the neighborhood of Charlestown his entire life and become the brains behind a gang of slick thieves who always get away clean. Doug wants to make a fresh start and put the town he's always known in his rear view mirror, but things get sticky when he falls for the bank manager of his last heist with the feds quickly closing in. Pulls you in from the moment it starts with vivid, one of a kind scenery, all-too-believable characters, and skillful action scenes that create genuine tension and excitement. Echoes Michael Mann's classic genre film Heat, yet still an impressive showing in its own right for Affleck as lead actor, director, and co-writer, creating a worthy follow-up to Gone Baby Gone and adding another memorable addition to the 'Boston crime' genre. Renner is especially potent as Affleck's volatile right-hand man. ***