Doug and Jim are a couple of thieves who end up taking bank manager Claire hostage during their most recent heist. With the local FBI agent starting to put the pieces together and focus on the duo, things only get more complicated when Doug falls for Claire. Add in a demanding boss and things go from dangerous to chaotic in the blink of an eye.
Ben Affleck (Doug), Rebecca Hall (Claire), Jeremy Renner (Jim), Jon Hamm (Frawley), Blake Lively (Krista), Slaine (Gloansy), Owen Burke (Desmond), Titus Welliver (Dino), Pete Postlethwaite (Fergie).
The Town starts off looking like any other East Coast tough guy flick complete with bad accents and snarling faces. Once the plot starts to flow things get a bit better as we become more familiar with the characters. As the action picks up a bit a glimmer of hope for something exciting is seen but never delivered. The high of the film is some medium paced action slammed together with a flicker of romance and some mild suspense. The result is a tepid offering that doesn't bring much new to the genre or do anything strenuous to hold our attention.
Acting was mediocre at best. Although performances were decent, they were only decent. The cast felt as if they just couldn't get much energy into their roles and it held back the entire film. Affleck didn't feel like he had good chemistry with anyone despite Hall and Renner both appearing to give it a shot. Postlethwaite was an interesting choice but showing him from the neck down ruins the attempt at making him out as a tough guy.
Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were all solidly done with a nice realistic feel. Dialogue was okay though the accents could have used some work. Sound and soundtrack were okay.
Overall The Town is a mid-level attempt at a crime thriller that needed more thrill. Die hard Affleck or Renner fans may enjoy this one but most others may find it a bit lacking, particularly with a 2 hour run time.
With plenty of violence, foul language, some sexuality and drug use save this for older teens and above.
The Town is no longer showing in any Littleton Colorado movie theatres.
Released: 2010
Reviewed: 9.13.11
Star rating: 3 out of 5
copyright ©2011 Dave Riedel
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