A Review of "The Town"

Cathy and I went to the movies to see “The Town” on Saturday. It seems we weren't the only ones that saw it. The movie was number one in sales for the week grossing over 23 million dollars.

I procrastinated a bit on writing this review and now I am happy that I did. It allowed me to formulate my thoughts and to come up with my real opinion of the movie.

This movie is a solid; hard hitting; cops and robbers movie. I have a bit of a problem with the plot but I have no problem with the actors or their performances. The movie is set in the Charlestown section of Boston. According to the movie, Charlestown produces more bank robbers than any area of its size in the world. Ben Affleck plays Doug, a second generation bank robber who picked it up from his father, played by one of my all time favorites, Chris Cooper. Doug's father is in prison and he is a hero to the tough guys for doing time instead of giving up his friends. Ben Affleck is excellent in the role, and I would not have expected less. He and Matt Damon are two of Boston's greatest exports. Sorry I'm not much of a fan of the Red Sox, the Patriots, or the Bruins.

Some of you may remember last year when I hailed Jeremy Renner's performance in “The Hurt Locker,” well he proves his quality again playing Doug's best friend Gem. Gem takes their capers to a new level with his viciousness, brutally beating hostages and anyone who gets in the way. Gem did nine years for murder. It seems like it was a senseless crime but there is a reason disclosed as part of the climax of the movie.

Jon Hamm is a federal agent intent on stopping the rash of armored car robberies and bank holdups in Boston. He has his eye on Doug's group and he just waits for a chance to bring them down. Jon Hamm got a shot to move from his award winning role as Don Draper in Mad Men to a blockbuster on the big screen and he made the most of his chance. Here is something interesting to look for; Cathy and I both noticed this. Watch Jon Hamm's facial expressions. They are difficult to describe but they are very unique. There a several great actors with unique facial expressions, at least in my opinion. Denzel Washington has expressions that are all his own, and so does Robert Duvall, and Harrison Ford; that puts Jon Hamm in good company.

Doug and Gem are best friends. Doug had been living with Gem and his sister since his father went to prison. Gem's sister Krista is a mess from alcohol and every drug she can get her hands on. The role of Krista is played very well by Blake Lively. Blake was born to the biz. She is the daughter of director Ernie Lively. Krista has a little girl, but the title mother is not one that she deserved. She went from one buzzed out drug session to another and she thought that Doug would always be around for her.

Doug, Gem and the gang went on their merry way robbing armored cars and having a fun until they made a hit on a bank. In the process the assistant bank manager is taken hostage and eventually released. To the boys' surprise the hostage lived in the neighborhood. Now it was time for some damage control. Gem was ready to make the problem go away, but Doug would not allow it. Doug said he would handle it. A not so chance meeting between Doug and Clair Keesey, played by Rebecca Hall, starts a relationship that complicates Doug's life. Doug also has pressure from the local crime boss named Fergie, played by the great tough guy Pete Postlethwaite, who is the mastermind of the heists.

The movie is definitely worth the price of admission. I have two problems with the plot and neither is that big of a deal. The movie didn't seem to have time to dig into the relationship between Doug and Krista though it is important to show the motivations for Gem and Krista's actions near the end of the movie. I'm sure the book, "Prince of Thieves" by Chuck Hogan, goes into more detail in that area.

I can't actually tell you about the second reason because in involves how it all turns out. It is more of a personal opinion rather than a perceived flaw.

Ben Affleck also directed the movie and I believe this movie will launch him into a circle that contains great actor/directors like Clint Eastwood. I am impressed with how these guys can perform the demanding job of directing while taking on the full load of a main character; it is quite an achievement.