The Town Review

Film-o-Rama Review by August Meyer

Without a doubt, "The Town" is a thoroughly good, thoroughly enjoyable movie. From edge of your seat action and suspense to gratuitous love scenes, this movie really has it all. Directed by and starring Ben Afleck, coming out of this movie with a smile was a pleasant surprise. After his recent drop from the spotlight, I wasn't expecting much from this movie, seeing it more as an attempted comeback by a once great star. But I can say with confidence and admiration that he did a damn good job.

The thing that brought me into the magic of the movie was the atmosphere. Set in Charlestown, an outskirt of Boston, Massachusetts, the film follows a few weeks in the lives of a family of bank robbers. Supposedly Charlestown is the bank robbing capital of the world, and this is what the film illustrates beautifully. The cinematography, the music, and for the most part, the accents spoken by the characters bring the audience into a gritty world as realistic as there own. One thing that stood out for me was the use of masks during the bank robberies. After The Dark Knight's introduction scene, I have really had a hankering for some wonderfully creepy disguises. Instead of the cliche former president Nixon masks one would think Afleck and his gang would use, they wear unsettling skeleton masks, and in one especially tense scene, nun masks. It is these kind of touches that really add to the dark atmosphere that pushes this crime thriller forward with bleeding fast speed.

Leading the ensemble cast, Ben Afleck brings a surprising emotional punch in the gut with his brooding character, debating whether or not to leave the family business he's spent his whole life being a part of. His step brother, Jeremy Renner, is just as, if not more explosive than he was in "The Hurt Locker". One minute he'll be arm in arm with Afleck, and the next he'll be beating the head of a bank teller in with the butt of his assault rifle.

The supporting cast is phenomenal as well. Jon Hamm, or as some of you may know him, Don Draper, is a tough guy FBI agent dead set on bringing down Afleck and his crew. Already renown for his role in AMC's Mad Men, Hamm really brings it to the table. And for any of you familiar with his 1960's Ad Man character, there is even a scene where he sits down and makes himself a Mad Men-esque drink.

The one problem I have with the cast is Blake Lively's performance as a young, drug addicted single mother. Her role was meant to bring gut wrenching reality to the screen, but the finished product of her work leaves one liking her makeup more than her character. And on top of this, it is distracting watching this "Gossip Girl", who recently starred in the chick flick, "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" parade around propositioning everyone in sight for a sexual favor.

She looks much too young and fake to be living in bars all around town, hooking up with Ben Afleck periodically.There is a plethora of other actresses who could have done tenfold the job. Rachel McAdams for instance, or dare I say "Greenberg" actress Greta Gerwig, could have brought the vulnerablity and heartbreak that was needed to really show off this character.

"The Town" also showcases Afleck's writing talent. He co-wrote the script with Peter Craig, and really reminded me how great, if at times misguided, an artist he really is. And at this point, I'm tempted to forget all about his performance in "Pearl Harbor", collaborating with Michael Bay in the worst way possible.

With all of these great elements blended together in this convoluted crime drama, one can't help but love it. The suspense, the dark humor, and the myriad of absolutely superb acting will leave you with a smile on your face, as it did for me. That is, unless you're one of the few who actually liked Pearl Harbor. And if that is the case, I can do nothing but hope for you and your misguided movie tastes, and hope for the rest of us that Ben Afleck continues to do what he's doing. We love you Ben. Keep up the good work.