The Town

Boston Illegal....

Ben Affleck has had an erratic career since his Oscar win for original screenplay in 1997 for Good Will Hunting. Along the way he's had duds like 'Gigli' and 'Jersey Girl' to name but a few. In recent years he would be more likely to be a Golden Raspberry nominee than an Oscar nominee. That all changed in 2007 when he turned his hand to writing and directing his first feature film 'Gone Baby Gone'. It went on to have both critical and commercial success.

'The Town' his second directorial offering is once again sat in in Affleck's birth place of Boston. It centres around four working class bank robbers. Affleck plays Doug MacRay, the ringleader who's father is serving life in prison for similar crimes to his son. MacRay (Affleck) has a major hang up over his childhood. His mother abandoned him at an early age and his father never fully explained why!

During a botched heist, the gang temporarily take a female bank manager called Claire (Rebecca Hall) hostage. Upon her release they decide to monitor her movements for a couple of weeks to give themselves peace of mind. MacRay decides to take on this task.
Inevitably, a love story of sorts evolves. MacRay is looking to escape from his violent/criminal life and yearns to leave Boston for Florida with Claire. She is beautiful and educated and seems to fit the criteria for his new beginnings.

His right hand man and childhood friend James (Jeremy Renner) throws a spanner in the works. He has other plans about his friend absconding to Florida for a quiet life. He demands MacRay do one last job in lieu of favours owed to him. MacRay has a dilemna, does he run out on his pal who has stood by him all his life or does he risk his dream of an idyllic future on one last heist.

'The Town' is generally fast paced and is at it's most engrossing when Renner is on screen. He was, in my opinion the reason 'The Hurt Locker' was elevated to and Oscar award level. The same may just apply for this movie. Things do fall flat at times when Affleck and Hall share the screen as there is very little chemistry. The last half hour is thrilling with car chases and shoot out scenes, and culminates in MacRay uncovering the real reason his mother walked out on him and how he goes about avenging the source.

There are a couple of strong supporting performances, notably Blake Lively who tears her 'Gossip Girl' character to shreds playing a drug addict and the wonderful Chris Cooper as MacRay's estranged imprisoned father.

As an actor Ben Affleck can be whiney and wooden and has to work hard to demand screen presence. However, as a writer/director he seems to have found his niche. He has once again delivered an original, entertaining drama.

It seems that 'Gone Baby Gone' was not a fluke!

Score: 7/10