Out on The Town

Sorry for the absence of reviews. Big things are coming from Joe Claw and I, and we have been spending our time working on our new website (she’s close to up and running!).


What are two guys to do when their lady friends are out of town? You guessed it, go on a mid-week movie date. For our MANdate, Joe and I saw the new Ben Affleck film, The Town. Set in a town on the outskirts of Boston, the movie follows a group of blue collar bank robbers on their criminal expeditions.

The movie opens with a bang as the foursome, clad in Skeletor masks, hit a bank in Boston. The team has the heist down to a science and the efficiency with which they work is an intriguing element of the movie. As they “work” it becomes apparent that they are not violent in their burglaries, presumably an attempt at encouraging the viewers to root for the convicts. The first major conflict between the groups leaders Doug MacRay (Affleck) and James Coughlin (Jeremy Renner) further drives this home as their opinions differ on the extent to which violence should be employed. It also exalts Affleck as the film’s protagonist.

Affleck’s character has a depth that drives much of the plot (and he is absolutely shredded, ladies, shield your eyes). His bond with Coughlin and his good heart serve to endear him to the viewer. Like most films in this genre, the plot focuses on the attempt to stay one step ahead as the FBI close in on our criminals. However, as aforementioned, the development of Affleck’s character differentiates this film. His character’s inner struggle stems from the conflict between a desire for a new life and the feeling of being shackled to the life that has been given to him as a result of his upbringing and circumstances out of his control (real Freudian for you psychology nuts). An interesting scene at some type of self-help group meeting may be overlooked, but it brings some of this struggle to the forefront. The discussion at the meeting raises some interesting religious/moral questions and seems to be a catalyst for Doug’s desire for reformation.

As the film is written, directed, produced, and starred in by Affleck, it is no surprise that his character plays such an integral role. But he skillfully carries the plot in such a way that it is not a case of shining the spotlight on himself just for the sake of it. The Town is an ok story that becomes a good movie because of great character development. I don’t want to get to crazy (remember Gigli was atrocious) but Ben may have put himself back on the map.