The Town movie review

Rating: 9/10 (28 December 2010)

Its more invoking than "Gone Baby Gone", brining viewers back into the rough streets of Boston. Charleston has been classified as the bank robbing capital of the world, where the very act has been passed down like a cultural custom. Its streets are plagued by both poverty, drug use, and the desperation of the residents to survivce. Ben Affleck stars as Doug MacRay a man who's time in Charleston is about to come to an end. In an effort to further get out; his new outlook on the life he's been mostly living so far has given him the thoughts of making a change for himself, considering the damage his father Stephen (Cooper) brought him through his own crime spree of tradition. The film opens with a bank robbery, beautifully executed by Doug's crew, in both their timing and research of the guards and the bank itself. Out of a desperation to escape with no chance of getting pinched, the crew decide to take the bank manager Claire Keesey (Hall) for a little hostage joyride. Being both traumatized and riddled with anxiety, Claire finds peace with Doug as he follow up on her, just to tie up loose ends. At first it seemed like a routine process of keeping things balanced, turns into a relationship that further pushed Doug's hopes of leaving town. It may sound nice, being able to say goodbye to a place that did nothing but screw up most of your life, and leave you nothing but bad memories, whether it involved some coke snorting nights with your mule of girlfriend Krista (Lively), or out fighting on some hockey rink with the very teammates you played with. Basically Doug's life has been a living Hell, he only now wishes to escape after his longtime sobriety. It's too bad a thought like that doesn't sit too well with Doug's brother by heart Jem (Renner), a hot head with a temper beyond sanity or control. I'm serious you f with this dude, be ready. Doug's plans to escape the blackened memories of Charlestown go to Hell, for his desires to leave have not only attracted the attention of his bud Jem, or even vicious FBI agent Adam Frawley (Hamm). Fergie (Postlethwaite), a known florist in Charlestown, and furthermore a crime boss who's been the reason for several of Doug's own bank robberies. He may seem like a man regular small timers pay their respects to because he knew several of their father's, but his ability to manipulate anyone on sight for his own goal can be devastating. His resentment towards Doug's refusal to cooperate with him, forces his hand on his new girlfriend, feeling no regret for he's had no problem taking someone from Doug before. It all goes Fergie's way, thus pushing Doug to take the risk that could further push him to dying in a federal prison cell. In an attempt and somewhat success of robbing millions from Fenway Park, the crew barely makes it out with the very few chances of evasion, leaving old Dougie to be the only survivor. Our hero's story comes to end not with his demise, but with his escape to wherever he may be waiting, and waiting, hoping he'll see Claire again. It could be on this side or the other. When watching "The Town" viewers will be invoked by the very story of a tormented man looking to find a chance at better happiness. Ben Affleck's performance can be described a unique way of silent torment, seeking a much more enlightening path, while already taking the right steps. Renner, on the other hand is as astounding as his character, both crazy, and yet charismatic through his wild nature to take a shot or a stab at anything that pisses him off. Director Ben Affleck has once again proved his talent as a Director, that I honestly cannot feel any ounce of patience for whatever he might throw us next.