Ben Affleck isn’t exactly the greatest actor in the world. From films like Gigli and Daredevil to movies like Armageddon and Pearl Harbor – Affleck doesn’t exactly have the best track record as it pertains to his acting career. That’s not to say he isn’t a good actor, movies like Dogma and Good Will Hunting are some of his most outstanding performances and his acting in The Town is up there as well. But it’s not just his acting that brings the movie home; it’s his incredible directing as well.
Robbing Banks for a Living – The Plot of The Town
In Charlestown Boston there is an extremely high rate of armed robberies. The thieves doing the robberies never leave Charlestown out of an unwritten code – a code that means looking out for each other. After one bank robber Doug MacRay (Ben Affleck) falls in love with a bank manager (Rebecca Hall) of one of his robberies, things begin to get complicated and MacRay wants out of Charlestown – code or no code.
I’ll See You Again, This Side or the Other – Thoughts and Feelings on The Town
The first thing I have to say about The Town is the amazing way it crafts its characters. Affleck establishes instantly that these main characters are flawed. They aren’t supposed to be idolized or inspiring. They rob banks and hurt people. Yet, throughout the film all you are doing is routing for them to get away. Maybe it’s the sentiment of sympathy or maybe it’s that villains are more interesting but either way, the characters are expertly drawn.
The acting is superb. If you don’t believe me, watch the great acting for free at 123 movies. Every personality is distinct from one another. There is some repetition within Affleck’s posse, but they are minor characters that don’t get much screen time so it’s acceptable. The performances would be easy to come off as cliché and over the top but the way the actors portray their respective characters is subtle and outstandingly done.
The plot isn’t anything to write home about. It’s not exactly ground breaking or original. The music isn’t the best of the year and won’t make you want to go out and buy a copy of the soundtrack. The action scenes aren’t a spectacle or over the top. But that’s what makes this film so good. It is definitely downplayed and doesn’t force itself upon. It’s subtle and under stated and isn’t trying to be something it’s not.
Summing Up The Town
The Town is an excellent crime thriller with a touch of romance. The dialogue is simple and the movie doesn’t force anything upon its audience. The acting is outstanding and the story, especially the ending is incredibly powerful.
- The Town (2010)
- Directed by: Ben Affleck
- Starring: Ben Affleck, Rebecca Hall
- Rating: 4/5
