Kristin Reviews The Town

The Town was a damn fine piece of movie-making. From its visual style to its complex characters to its complete lack of pretention, it is a solid and satisfying film.

A lot of people are Ben Affleck haters. I’m not sure why. I’ve never had any strong feelings about the actor one way or the other. He’s turned in some good performances, and he did win an Oscar for his part in penning Good Will Hunting, although the haters will insist that he was responsible for coming up with the title and co-writer, Matt Damon, wrote the rest. If he needed redeeming, I’d say The Town covers him.

Co-written and directed by Affleck, The Town is a pretty straight-forward story about a group of thieves – bank and armored truck robbers to be more precise – and their struggles to remain a step ahead of the law (represented by the ridiculously handsome and stoic Jon Hamm) and their ‘crime boss.’

Of course, there’s a girl, and then there’s conflict, and then there’s resolution. And, in less talented hands, that could have been all this was. But, instead, the story is gripping. Every character is real, and possessing of identifiable objectives. Affleck and his team succeed in earning sympathy for each main character, so the conclusion, while satisfying, is simultaneously heartbreaking.

And so I say, “Well done, Mr. Affleck. Well done.”

I think The Town has an excellent chance of earning one of those ten Best Picture nominations, although, having seen some of the competition, I do not believe it can win. The screenplay, adapted from Chuck Hogan novel called “Prince of Thieves,” should definitely earn a nomination as well.

-Kristin
11.29.2010