Reviewed by Kate Rodger
The Town sees Ben Affleck pull double duty, both as director and star, and in fact also has a hand in the writing as well.
Based on a book called Prince of Thieves, this is effectively a heist/crime/romance movie, with Affleck at its centre as Doug Macray, a thief with a good heart. The same can't be said for the rest of his gang, in particular his childhood buddy Jem, played to perfection by The Hurt Locker's Jeremy Renner.
The story is set on Affleck's home turf of Boston, and in a neighbourhood which prides itself on its high level of bank robberies and car-jackings.
The romance part of this heist movie unfolds after the gang takes Rebecca Hall's character Claire hostage during a botched bank job. After releasing her, Macray takes it upon himself to ensure she doesn’t make trouble for them, and falls for her in the process.
One of the more compelling aspects of this film is the up close and personal way it’s shot, giving the action, and there’s plenty of that, a very real and very intense feel. One of the better car chases in recent memory becomes a complete adrenaline rush, not because of the speed they’re doing, but because we’re made to feel like we’re on the ride ourselves.
Watch out for a couple of great supporting outings. Mad Men star John Hamm plays a detective determined to bring these bad guys down and it’s good to see him take on a big screen role with bite and vigour. And the always excellent British actor Pete Postlethwaite embodies an evil malevolence which is positively creepy, as the local gang linchpin.
I confess I am a big fan of heist movies, and I’m also quietly becoming a bit of a fan of Ben Affleck’s directing. His debut Gone Baby Gone was excellent, and while The Town isn’t quite as good, it’s a very entertaining watch.
Three and a half stars.
The Other Guys
:: Director: Ben Affleck
:: Starring: Ben Affleck, Blake Lively, Jon Hamm, Rebecca Hall and Jeremy Renner
:: Running Time: 125 mins
:: Rating: TBC
:: Release Date: October 14, 2010
:: Trailer: Watch here
