An exceptionally thrilling, well made crime drama that really works.

Rating: 10/10 (13 September 2010)

I got a chance to see this film at a free screening earlier tonight, and all I could say was, nothing. My mind was sufficiently blown away, and mixed emotions coursed through my body. This film honestly lived up to its hype, a feat so few films have achieved recently besides Avatar and Inception. As we all know, the plot revolves around Doug MacRay(Affleck), the ringleader of a group of bank robbers. In the first scene of the film, he and his men rob a bank, and kidnap the bank manager Claire(Hall). They let her go free, but she remains traumatized from that moment on, with her only clue as to the identity of her kidnappers being a tattoo behind James Coughlin's(Renner) neck. She is visibly shaken when inquired by Special Agent Adam Frawley(Hamm), and ultimately breaks down in front of Macray at the laundromat, where he comforts her, while falling for her as time goes on. Ultimately, the plot thickens, as MacRay goes through his tumultuous relationships with Coughlin and his sister(Lively), his own father, and Claire, while continuing heists and evading agent Frawley. It is a rather well developed plot, albeit not completely original, but that is far from the movie's shining points. First off, the main characters are very well developed. Renner does a great job as Affleck's best friend and second in command. He reflects his role as flawlessly as any actor can. Rebecca Hall displays a fine performance, showing us yet again how great an actress she can be. Affleck, who has been trashed by many over the years, had been slowly regaining a good reputation amongst the masses, receiving good reviews for his performances as a supporting actor in Extract and State of play. As the main character in The Town, he has managed to show us that his acting and directing skills have not diminished much from the time he gifted us with Good Will Hunting. Even Blake Lively delivers a mature performance, proving that she has indeed fruited into a good actress since her days in Gossip Girl. The best performance, however, was from none other than Mr Don Draper himself, John Hamm. He proves to us that his acting is better than just television-worthy. His luring charisma and brutally honest dialogue is good enough to get him an Oscar nod for sure, and may likely do for him and Mad Men what 40-Year Old Virgin did for Steve Carrell and The Office: Get a great show the audience it truly deserves, and turn the actor into a Hollywood star. There are two non-graphic sex scenes(one involving Hall and Affleck, the with Lively and Affleck), and only three heist scenes(the opening bank scene, the hilarious and action packed heist involving the nun masks seen in trailers, and the concluding Fenway Park heist). The action scenes are few and limited, but are all great, especially the one at Fenway park. However, the heist scenes, as well as other violent scenes, regardless of their great impact and sheer brilliance, come remotely close to the brutality of the masterful dialogue of this gem of a film. Each main character gets their own fair share, but the two that stab our hearts with the most powerful thrusts are the ones from Peter Postlethwaite, who plays Affleck's boss, and Chris Cooper in his lone scene in jail as Affleck's father. Both have to do with the way his mother "left" him. Though I have already spoiled many aspects of the film, I cannot spoil those two dialogue sequences. They are both equally cringe-inducing and tear jerking, and you'll easily be able to identify them, not only through your ears, but by the pain your heart goes through. The dialogue is like a SAW trap: It is a hammer that will pound you relentlessly until your are as close to keeling over as possible. The film may sound very grim, which it is, but there is loads of humor in it, too. Most of it is dark and unexpected, due to the irony of the situations, such as some of Hamm and Lively's confrontations, Affleck's conversation with Hall at the laundromat about her kidnappers, the scene where Affleck and Renner talk about Hall, and when they beat up her tormentors and their brief dialogue before that. The funniest moment was by far and away the moment where the robbers, dressed in nun masks, are seen changing and driving by a police officer after the robbery, when he stares at them and does nothing. It should be noted that this film isn't for minors, due to its heavy use of the f-word, amongst other things. It isn't the love story that most have rendered it to be. The romance is yet another subplot to the drama and thrills this movie induces amongst its viewers. This film can definitely clinch at least a few Oscar noms for screenplay, writing, supporting actor, director, film, and should win for screenplay, due to the sharp dialogue which wickedly cuts into you, seeps into you, and rips you to shreds. A perfect film. 10/10
For those of you who want to write your own review for the film, here are a few suggested summaries:Exceptional; Affleck's Redemption; the best film of the year.