Affleck Turns Boston Into A Modern Day Western

Over a decade ago Ben Affleck burst into Hollywood in a film with Robin Williams and his best friend, Matt Damon. Affleck and Damon won an Oscar for their screenplay of Good Will Hunting and the two were an instant famous pair. Later Affleck was known as half of another pair known as “Bennifer,” a relationship that made him a laughing stock in tensile town. Since then Affleck has been clawing his way back with roles in Hollywoodland and Extract. Affleck has even stepped into the director’s chair with his first film, Gone Baby, Gone, starring his brother, Casey. Ben is back in the chair and bringing audiences an old fashion robbery story with The Town. They say westerns are dead, but this film seems to dispute that theory.

Affleck plays Doug MacRay, a man who has spent his whole life in Charlestown, a part of Boston known for bank robberies. Doug and his crew hit up a bank, and to ensure their escape they take the bank manager, Claire, as a hostage. But to make sure she couldn’t give FBI Agent Frawley anything to identify them with Doug decides to get close to her. While he begins to fall for Claire he also must find a way to escape his life of crime without getting wacked by “The Flourist.”

This is Affleck’s sophomore film, and he shows much improvement since Gone Baby, Gone. He deals with a lot of action in this film, and there is a little more emotional intensity as well. I don’t think he has really found out what his signature film style will be like most directors do, but let’s give him a few more films. Affleck’s particular use of the security cameras in this film was a nice touch.

The think what surprised me most was how well the cast held this film together. Of course Affleck both in the star and director chair helped give this film a great core to work with. I didn’t recognize Rebecca Hall from any other film, but after her role as Claire I look forward to seeing her in the future. Jeremy Renner played the angry badass like he always does, which could be useful in his next role as Hawkeye in Joss Whedon’s The Avengers.

Another person in this film who is about to play a comic book character is Blake Lively.  Lively is a train wreck of a mom, and Affleck’s former flame, who had a small, but impressive role for the gossip girl. Jon Hamm showed he can play more than a corporate player on Mad Men as the FBI agent in this film who is trying to catch Doug and his crew. You could never quite tell if he was going to get his man or not. Chris Cooper and Pete Postlethwaite gave small roles, and being the veterans actors that they are somehow find a way to make their scenes last longer in your head than on screen.

 I knew this film had sucked me in when I was on pins and needles during the car chase scene in the middle of the film. Much like Billy the Kid trying to get away on his horse, Doug MacRay tries to get away in his minivan. Based on a book by Chuck Hogan, this film has bank robberies, gun fights, and a lawman looking to take down the criminals. You could set this film in the 1800’s and the only thing that would change would be indoor plumbing.

Although I wish Affleck would have shown more of Doug wooing Claire, I thing he is well on his way of leaving Gigli behind him and on his way to being another actor turned great director. I don’t know about any acting nominees but when Oscar season rolls around I wouldn’t be surprised if this film snags a best director nomination. Affleck also helped write the film's screenplay, and the first rule in writing is sticking to what you know. And what Affleck shows he knows is his hometown of Boston.  And maybe a few things about film making.

Rating:  B