Jason KingThe Town (7/10)
October 31st 2010 01:07
:
Nice Work Ben!!
Category: Reviews
I was meant to put this review up weeks ago but it is sometimes a struggle working 6 days a week, running 3 websites and attempting to go to every media screening I can each week while maintaining a life - I know, I deserve a bloody badge of dedication or similar - all donations to the JK holiday fund will be accepted. But, I digress, as usual I have to thank Sammy who gives me an ear full when I am not posting all my reviews - so thanks Sammy - I will spend my only day off catching up hahahaha.
The Charlestown neighborhood of Boston is renowned for churning out a high number of armed robbers, generation after generation. These robbers never leave their Charlestown life on their own volition, the neighborhood where there is an unwritten code to protect that lifestyle. Such robbers include friends Doug MacRay (Ben Affleck), James Coughlin (Jeremy Renner), Albert 'Gloansy' Magloan (Slaine) and Desmond Elden (Owen Burke). Doug and James in particular treat each other like family, as the Coughlins have realistically been as such to Doug since Doug's mother ran off and Doug's father, Stephen MacRay (Chris Cooper), was sent to prison. James' single mother sister, the drugged out Krista Coughlin (Blake Lively), and Doug have a casual sexual relationship. The foursome carry out a mostly successful bank robbery, but due to circumstances take the bank manager, Claire Keesey (Rebecca Hall), hostage for a short period before releasing her physically unharmed. They find out that Claire lives in Charlestown...
I enjoyed this film but I didn't love it. For me my all time favourite bank robbery film is Michael Mann's Heat with Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro and it is hard for me to watch any bank robbery movie without comparing it to Heat. While completely different in story it also has numerous similarities. Affleck is playing DeNiro against Hamm's Pacino. What really works for this film is the Town itself and its highlighting of showing it's sheltered culture. Why people would choose to stay there is beyond me.
The film highlights that Ben Affelck actually does have talent - after his hideous performances in things like Daredevil, Bounce, Pearl Harbour and Gigli he kind of was on a downhill slide and being bagged by nearly everyone - then he got smart and directed Gone Baby Gone in 2007 getting him critical acclaim then he performed sensationally as George Reeves in Hollywoodland and proved to the world that he does have talent, and an abundance of it. This film, while I did not enjoy it as much as Gone Baby Gone, shows just how talented Affleck can be with multitasking directing, writing and starring in the one film. For that he does a truly amazing job. And his body in this is amazing - he went nuts working out for this film.
Jeremy Renner continues his climb above and beyond good actor to great actor. His performance is strong and he nails the part, you would actually believe him as being one of the true felons that they hired for the film. He has one nasty, angry at the world streak that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Jon Hamm (Madmen) is also great in his role as FBI S.A. Adam Frawley. The thing I loved about his character was that while the good guy he is more ruthless in his approach to his job than Doug is in his approach to bank robbing. Frawley is a mean asshole and you support Doug more so as you want to see him succeed in transversing from bank robber to settled down, married man with his new love. We all love the story of breaking free from your troubles and bettering your life.
Rebecca Hall (The Prestige) did not do much for me but worked well as Doug's love interest and the reason for him wanting to leave it all behind. Blake Lively, from Gossip Girl fame, is brilliant as the junkie groupie of Doug. You won't even recognise her - she is totally immersed in her junkie character
The standout performance for me, while a small part, was Pete Postlethwaite. He is truly chilling and eats the camera when in front of it. He plays "The Florist" and it reminded me of his scenes in Romeo and Juliet when he making potions with all his flowers but this time he is not on the side of the lord, he is satan himself. Even though it's a very small role - I would love to see a Best Supporting Oscar nod for this one.
Affleck's direction is flawless and the film looks great and is tight in its telling of the story and the film works because it stays true to the characters and story and doesn't go over the top with unrealistic action. But what I think lets the film down is that it doesn't do much more than other bank robbery films. There wasn't much more than great performances. When you break everything down to basic level the film is an art house version of Point Break if it had an affair with Heat. This isn't woeful but after Gone Baby Gone I was expecting a little bit more.
Trivia on THE TOWN:
1) Every Boston Police cruiser shown in the film comes from the fictional district A-8, which also existed in Boston's Finest (2010).
2) Shipped to theaters under the code name "Criminal Intent".
3) Jeremy Renner decided to surround himself with actual convicted bank robbers in Charlestown for research reasons and to help him nail the accent.
4) The Charlestown ice arena was filmed at the Harvard's Bright Hockey Center in Allston, MA.
5) Originally set to be directed by Adrian Lyne (Fatal Attraction (1987)) but he had a falling out with Warner Brothers, so they asked Ben Affleck to step in.
6) The premiere for "The Town" was in Boston, and the cast walked a Red Carpet on the baselines of Fenway Park before a game.
7) Cast member Slaine, one of the robbers, was a concession seller at Fenway Park as a teenager. He described going back to shoot the film as "surreal."
8) Matt Damon slipped into the press line at the premiere in Boston, hidden under a Boston Red Sox cap. He and Ben Affleck are childhood friends.
9) Director/Star Ben Affleck was most concerned that the actors not have phony sounding Boston accents. When Blake Lively (Jem's sister Krista) read for the part, she sounded so authentic he asked what part of Boston she grew up in. She was born and raised in California.
10) When Doug gives Claire a necklace you may hear her say "Thanks Ben" instead of calling him by his character name
The Town is OUT NOW and there are lots of films worse than this one. If you like a brilliantly acted film that is very professional in its making then this one for you. Worth (7/10)
The Charlestown neighborhood of Boston is renowned for churning out a high number of armed robbers, generation after generation. These robbers never leave their Charlestown life on their own volition, the neighborhood where there is an unwritten code to protect that lifestyle. Such robbers include friends Doug MacRay (Ben Affleck), James Coughlin (Jeremy Renner), Albert 'Gloansy' Magloan (Slaine) and Desmond Elden (Owen Burke). Doug and James in particular treat each other like family, as the Coughlins have realistically been as such to Doug since Doug's mother ran off and Doug's father, Stephen MacRay (Chris Cooper), was sent to prison. James' single mother sister, the drugged out Krista Coughlin (Blake Lively), and Doug have a casual sexual relationship. The foursome carry out a mostly successful bank robbery, but due to circumstances take the bank manager, Claire Keesey (Rebecca Hall), hostage for a short period before releasing her physically unharmed. They find out that Claire lives in Charlestown...
I enjoyed this film but I didn't love it. For me my all time favourite bank robbery film is Michael Mann's Heat with Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro and it is hard for me to watch any bank robbery movie without comparing it to Heat. While completely different in story it also has numerous similarities. Affleck is playing DeNiro against Hamm's Pacino. What really works for this film is the Town itself and its highlighting of showing it's sheltered culture. Why people would choose to stay there is beyond me.
The film highlights that Ben Affelck actually does have talent - after his hideous performances in things like Daredevil, Bounce, Pearl Harbour and Gigli he kind of was on a downhill slide and being bagged by nearly everyone - then he got smart and directed Gone Baby Gone in 2007 getting him critical acclaim then he performed sensationally as George Reeves in Hollywoodland and proved to the world that he does have talent, and an abundance of it. This film, while I did not enjoy it as much as Gone Baby Gone, shows just how talented Affleck can be with multitasking directing, writing and starring in the one film. For that he does a truly amazing job. And his body in this is amazing - he went nuts working out for this film.
The actor-and-director was shooting scenes for his new movie "The Town" - about a group of bank robbers in Boston - when he forgot he was still in costume and walked into a financial depository, terrifying the customers as he was holding a gun.
Ben - whose character dressed as a skeleton for the movie raids - said: "One day we were shooting near a bank and they wanted to keep the bank open for the day so we tried to accommodate them as best we could."
"And we had this scene where I have my mask on and a machine gun and Jeremy Renner is the same and we're dragging Rebecca Hall into the van."
"I realized that I should start from inside the bank to give myself a place to cut so I went into the bank. I walked in wearing a skeleton mask, holding a machine gun and I have never seen true terror until that moment. Including from the security guard."
Ben - whose character dressed as a skeleton for the movie raids - said: "One day we were shooting near a bank and they wanted to keep the bank open for the day so we tried to accommodate them as best we could."
"And we had this scene where I have my mask on and a machine gun and Jeremy Renner is the same and we're dragging Rebecca Hall into the van."
"I realized that I should start from inside the bank to give myself a place to cut so I went into the bank. I walked in wearing a skeleton mask, holding a machine gun and I have never seen true terror until that moment. Including from the security guard."
However, the 38-year-old actor admitted that he only made things worse when he tried to calm one customer down.
He explained to US TV talk show host Jay Leno: "One lady just screamed so I took my mask off and went 'It's OK, it's just me' and that made her scream even louder!"
Ben also revealed that hiring criminals to take part in the movie in order to make it more realistic proved difficult on set.
He explained: "We had a lot of felons in the movie which caused problems when we were shooting scenes because they're supposed to hold guns and stuff but they're not allowed to. So we had to go to the federal judge and their probation officers. It turns out they take those laws very seriously."
He explained to US TV talk show host Jay Leno: "One lady just screamed so I took my mask off and went 'It's OK, it's just me' and that made her scream even louder!"
Ben also revealed that hiring criminals to take part in the movie in order to make it more realistic proved difficult on set.
He explained: "We had a lot of felons in the movie which caused problems when we were shooting scenes because they're supposed to hold guns and stuff but they're not allowed to. So we had to go to the federal judge and their probation officers. It turns out they take those laws very seriously."
Jeremy Renner continues his climb above and beyond good actor to great actor. His performance is strong and he nails the part, you would actually believe him as being one of the true felons that they hired for the film. He has one nasty, angry at the world streak that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Jon Hamm (Madmen) is also great in his role as FBI S.A. Adam Frawley. The thing I loved about his character was that while the good guy he is more ruthless in his approach to his job than Doug is in his approach to bank robbing. Frawley is a mean asshole and you support Doug more so as you want to see him succeed in transversing from bank robber to settled down, married man with his new love. We all love the story of breaking free from your troubles and bettering your life.
Rebecca Hall (The Prestige) did not do much for me but worked well as Doug's love interest and the reason for him wanting to leave it all behind. Blake Lively, from Gossip Girl fame, is brilliant as the junkie groupie of Doug. You won't even recognise her - she is totally immersed in her junkie character
The standout performance for me, while a small part, was Pete Postlethwaite. He is truly chilling and eats the camera when in front of it. He plays "The Florist" and it reminded me of his scenes in Romeo and Juliet when he making potions with all his flowers but this time he is not on the side of the lord, he is satan himself. Even though it's a very small role - I would love to see a Best Supporting Oscar nod for this one.
Affleck's direction is flawless and the film looks great and is tight in its telling of the story and the film works because it stays true to the characters and story and doesn't go over the top with unrealistic action. But what I think lets the film down is that it doesn't do much more than other bank robbery films. There wasn't much more than great performances. When you break everything down to basic level the film is an art house version of Point Break if it had an affair with Heat. This isn't woeful but after Gone Baby Gone I was expecting a little bit more.
Trivia on THE TOWN:
1) Every Boston Police cruiser shown in the film comes from the fictional district A-8, which also existed in Boston's Finest (2010).
2) Shipped to theaters under the code name "Criminal Intent".
3) Jeremy Renner decided to surround himself with actual convicted bank robbers in Charlestown for research reasons and to help him nail the accent.
4) The Charlestown ice arena was filmed at the Harvard's Bright Hockey Center in Allston, MA.
5) Originally set to be directed by Adrian Lyne (Fatal Attraction (1987)) but he had a falling out with Warner Brothers, so they asked Ben Affleck to step in.
6) The premiere for "The Town" was in Boston, and the cast walked a Red Carpet on the baselines of Fenway Park before a game.
7) Cast member Slaine, one of the robbers, was a concession seller at Fenway Park as a teenager. He described going back to shoot the film as "surreal."
8) Matt Damon slipped into the press line at the premiere in Boston, hidden under a Boston Red Sox cap. He and Ben Affleck are childhood friends.
9) Director/Star Ben Affleck was most concerned that the actors not have phony sounding Boston accents. When Blake Lively (Jem's sister Krista) read for the part, she sounded so authentic he asked what part of Boston she grew up in. She was born and raised in California.
10) When Doug gives Claire a necklace you may hear her say "Thanks Ben" instead of calling him by his character name
The Town is OUT NOW and there are lots of films worse than this one. If you like a brilliantly acted film that is very professional in its making then this one for you. Worth (7/10)
| 71 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
subscribe to this blog
Comment by ShaunK
Screen Adventure
Here's my review
oh and I also did a cracking little 3 word review for Saw 3D which may amuse
Comment by Jason King
Sydney Table
Salty Popcorn
Total Randomness
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Anonymous
Moreover, The Town sends some very troubling messages:
A) That it's okay to rob innocent people of money that they've got no right to, and put their lives and very safety at risk in order to do so.
B) That it's okay to be an associate with Doug's crimes and help him escape the law, and obstruct Justice, the way Claire Keesey did, and to spend stolen money that wasn't hers to spend, on the renovation of a seedy ice hockey rink..
C) That relationships that arise from the "Lima Syndrome" (the stockholm Syndrome in reverse) are normal and healthy, when, in fact, they're not.