The Town (2010)

"I need your help. I can't tell you what it is, you can never ask me about it later, and we're gonna hurt some people."
"...Whose car we takin'?"

A group of masked men: the brains of the operation Doug MacRay (Affleck), the ex-con who loves weapons James "Jem" Coughlin (Renner), master car theif Albert "Gloansy" Magloan (Slaine), and computer expert Desmond Elden (Owen Burke); rob a bank in Boston.  When the silent alarm is tripped, they take the bank manager, Claire (Hall), hostage and then drop her by the side of the road.  With the FBI asking Claire questions and investigating the robberies, Doug starts tailing her.  They have a connection and begin a relationship.

Meanwhile, the FBI, led by Agent Adam Frawley (Hamm) and local Agent Dino Ciampa (Welliver), start looking into shady characters in the town of Charlestown, MA, the robbery capital of the United States.  They setup surveillance and narrow the list of suspects... while the team continue to rob banks while wearing masks and destroying evidence.  Will Doug find a way to get the girl and get out... or will old loyalties pull him back into the fray?


Ben Affleck in front of the camera... um, maybe.  Ben Affleck behind the the camera... heck yes.  In his sophomore directing, after 2007's Gone Baby Gone, Affleck proves adept behind the camera.  Creating a gritty crime film that keeps the audience on its toes with all eyes glued on the screen.


Everything works... the story, the accents, the cast, etc.  Jeremy Renner steals the show with his slightly off-balance, violence and weapon obsessed Jem.  You never know what the character will do next or how he will react, and you are captivated.  Jon Hamm, best known for his role on AMC's Mad Men, is also a highlight as Agent Frawley: going for broke as an unconventional FBI agent.  And Blake Lively of the CW's Gossip Girl, fully inhabits Krista... making her seem very real.  It is quite the transformation.  The rest of the cast also works well, although the women don't get to do much.


Excellent action flick.  See it....NOW!


The Town (2010) 125 minutes
Rating: R for strong violence, pervasive language, some sexuality and drug use.
Director: Ben Affleck
Starring: Ben Affleck as Doug MacRay
Rebecca Hall as Claire Keesey
Jon Hamm as Agent Adam Frawley
Jeremy Renner as James Coughlin
Blake Lively as Krista Coughlin
Titus Welliver as Dino Ciampa