Directed by:
Ben AffleckCinematography:
Robert ElswitCast:
Ben Affleck, Rebecca Hall, Jon Hamm, Jeremy Renner, Blake Lively, Slaine, Owen Burke, Titus Welliver, Pete Postlethwaite, Chris Cooper, Gary Galone, Peter Looney (more)VOD (3)
Plots(1)
Doug MacRay (Ben Affleck) is an unrepentant criminal, the de facto leader of a group of ruthless bank robbers who pride themselves in stealing what they want and getting out clean. With no real attachments, Doug never has to fear losing anyone close to him. But that all changed on the gang’s latest job, when they briefly took a hostage bank manager, Claire Keesey (Rebecca Hall). Though they let her go unharmed, Claire is nervously aware that the robbers know her name and where she lives. But she lets her guard down when she meets an unassuming and rather charming man named Doug not realizing that he is the same man who only days earlier had terrorized her. The instant attraction between them gradually turns into a passionate romance that threatens to take them both down a dangerous, and potentially deadly, path. (Warner Bros. US)
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Reviews (10)
We’ve seen this scheme many times before, and sometimes better (at one point even the main character watches "the" bit on TV), but I like Affleck's sympathetic direction, which doesn't rush the archetypal characters through the plot, but without unnecessary subterfuge, matter-of-factly, and engagingly. The fact that at times it is too tightly gripped in the clenches of tired templates is unfortunate, especially in the moments when the more adept viewer can guess the next steps of the characters before they do. Regardless, that certain old-fashioned style only serves it well. I’m looking forward to Affleck's next film immensely.
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Seen in the extended version --- I struggled with my final rating until the last minute. But I'm faaar from rating this brilliantly directed ride below average, on the grounds that it's all too idealized, predictable, emotional to the point of revulsion in places, and that Affleck "just doesn't have it in him". He delivers more than perfectly in terms of craft and if he can’t keep from some more emotionally intense and at the same time simpler moments here and there :)), what the hell. More than well shot action (the very opening ambush scene is breathtaking), proportionately developed psychology of the main characters (not too "deep" but not too simple or ridiculous), Elswit's excellent cinematography, and Affleck's thorough direction – for me it was enough. :) 90% and I'll see what I think the second time around.
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A decent spectacle, but a few odd illogicalities (the hero never found out himself what happened to his mother), clichés and an overly fairytale ending hurt it somewhat in my eyes. I liked Gone Baby Gone a lot more, and above all it was a film I had to think about for a long time. The Town has nowhere near that impact. But Ben Affleck is a really good director, and especially when it comes to action he does a professional job.
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A melancholic and technically flawless crime drama. The script is not as smart as the script of the masterpiece of the genre, Heat (but I’d rather not compare The Town with it, they are completely different), but it’s still much better than this year’s competition, which is nice. I didn’t like Ben Affleck in the main role so much (I think Jeremy Renner was more charismatic), but he did a great job as director (for instance, I haven’t seen a better car chase this year). In general, I have a problem rooting for the evil characters in films like this, and it was similar in this case. Emotionally, only the last few minutes touched me. It was nice to watch, but it didn’t surprise me at all. In short, a nice, satisfactory thriller, but nothing to write home about. Weak four stars.
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The inspiration from Heat is quite evident, but I wouldn't say this film copies it blindly and attempts to sponge off it, but rather that Ben Affleck is a fan of Mann and his famous film, so he wanted to pay tribute to his role model with his film The Town. Unlike Heat, which was based on the confrontation of two tough men, masters in their field, Affleck focuses more on the romantic relationship between the criminal and his female victim, which gradually turns into love. It can even be said that The Town sometimes inappropriately romanticizes the underworld and relationships between criminals based on friendship and solidarity. Reality is much more down-to-earth, yet in terms of the story, action, and acting performances, I am satisfied and have no problem giving it 4 stars. It's not a film that revolutionizes its genre, but true professionalism emanates from it, and for a genre fan, it's a safe bet. Overall impression: 80%.
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