The Town (2010)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Scott G

  
  Im suprised that Ben Affleck took the road, by no means has not done him good but he would be much more credited for making action films like this.

• Film C

  
  Wow this movie completely isnt memorable, i cant remember even once scene from this movie even though i know ive seen it! Thank god i didnt waste my time watching it till the end!

• Albert K

  
  "The T-aw-on" It's funny; when I was much younger, I've always imagined scenarios that I'd love to shoot on the big screen. Ben Affleck beat me to it. His first outing, "Gone Baby Gone" took a familiar premise and took a sharp turn away from… More
  "The T-aw-on" It's funny; when I was much younger, I've always imagined scenarios that I'd love to shoot on the big screen. Ben Affleck beat me to it. His first outing, "Gone Baby Gone" took a familiar premise and took a sharp turn away from conventional storylines. "The Town" comes around and it solidly sticks on a common narrative that we've all seen plenty of times. But this isn't to say "The Town" is a horrible movie. In fact, Ben Affleck has quickly become one of the most approved directors. Yeah, its not Academy Award winning worthy, but its easy to spot that "The Town" is crafted by experienced hands. Here's where it gets ugly. The screenplay gets cheesy at times and the performance by Ben Affleck himself is alarmingly bad... so much to the point where the tension the movie tries to build is shattered because of this weak performance. I really wanted to like this movie; I enjoyed "Gone Baby Gone" and it seems like a premise that I would embrace, but this movie failed to deliver in terms of its narrative. In the end, I didn't care about the characters. However, the action scenes are definitely pulse-pounding and rumblingly entertaining. Definitely worth watching for I know many would say that the shortcomings are easy to overlook; unfortunately, I'm not one of those critics.

• Candy R

  
  Reminded me of the Inside Man and the Bandits. Ben Affleck plays a bad guy. He is a bank robber who seeks out a bank manager whom his gang had taken hostage in a robbery. Long drawn out and violent movie.

• shahmeer h

  
  The Town, is simple words, is not what I expected. In a so-so way. I guess what I did was expect way to much out of a movie that was supposed to be taken as an average film, but when you saw it you experienced something else. What I supposedly thought was that this film was an amazing… More
  The Town, is simple words, is not what I expected. In a so-so way. I guess what I did was expect way to much out of a movie that was supposed to be taken as an average film, but when you saw it you experienced something else. What I supposedly thought was that this film was an amazing heist viewing experience, a fast-paced exciting action film with illustriously amazing drama and emotional touches. But what I got was three suspenseful robberies with a bunch of annoying Jon Hamm and some intense dialogue here and there. But other than that, this movie was fine to me. It seemed like an every day average film. the acting was alright, and Jeremy Renner had the best acting indeed, but in my opinion it was still average acting. I loved the action sequences the most, with a hell of a lot of suspense and a bunch of gun shooting. My favorite robberies, though, in my opinion had to be the first and second one. I just couldn't love the last one, for I think it dragged out to long but it was nice. The car chase was the best action scene in the whole movie. Every turn was an great thrill ride for me, and I was extremely disappointed when it ended. One thing I think made people love this movie a lot was the emotional relationship within it. I didn't like it all that much, for I thought that falling in love with a former hostage was a bit cheesy and kind of predictable. I didn't enjoy Rebecca Hall's acting at all, and thought she could've done a much better job. Jon Hamm was flat out annoying, and I couldn't get used to his pathetic Boston accent. But Blake Lavely did a nice job as a former prostitute, and I have to give her credit for that. The cinematography was excellent, and so were the aerial views of Charleston. All in The Town was a nice film that may have been degraded because of my high expectations. I think I just need a second viewing. The Town-70% , B+

• Jason C

  
  "The Town" is outstanding. In fact, I think that I enjoyed it more the second time that I watched it. It has everything that you could possibly ask for in an action movie. It offers suspense, good writing, unforgiving characters, and a healthy dose of violence. If this… More
  "The Town" is outstanding. In fact, I think that I enjoyed it more the second time that I watched it. It has everything that you could possibly ask for in an action movie. It offers suspense, good writing, unforgiving characters, and a healthy dose of violence. If this film is a glimpse into the future, and If he dedicated himself to the position, Ben Affleck might develop into one of the world's best directors. The fact that this didn't merit Oscar consideration is, well, a robbery. I guess you have to have someone in the film with an English accent to qualify for Best Picture. In any event, this deserves the highest possible recommendation.

• xGary X

  
  A crew of professional thieves are threatened by the FBI agent pursuing them when he realises that the gang's mastermind has engaged in a relationship with a potential witness. I was extremely impressed with Ben Affleck's directorial debut Gone Baby Gone and was looking… More
  A crew of professional thieves are threatened by the FBI agent pursuing them when he realises that the gang's mastermind has engaged in a relationship with a potential witness. I was extremely impressed with Ben Affleck's directorial debut Gone Baby Gone and was looking forward to this one immensely. This may have coloured my viewpoint slightly, but I found it a little bit of a let down. It's not that it's in any way bad; on the contrary, it's an extremely well engineered heist movie with a full compliment of solid performances, well written characters and dialogue. It's just missing that spark of originality and inspiration that made his previous film something special. It clearly takes a lot of cues from Heat, but the rather generic plot means it is a rather less layered and complex affair. It's still easily one of the best examples of the genre since Mann's film was released and is well worth seeing; I was just hoping for a little more. No pleasing some people...

• Clintus M

  
  In the mold of his earlier Gone Baby Gone, Ben Affleck's The Town delivers powerful performances in an authentic style. This was one of the best films of 2010; Affleck has really found his niche. He's credible in his role here; I've seen better acting but not much… More
  In the mold of his earlier Gone Baby Gone, Ben Affleck's The Town delivers powerful performances in an authentic style. This was one of the best films of 2010; Affleck has really found his niche. He's credible in his role here; I've seen better acting but not much better filmmaking. All the supporting actors are good, maybe not quite as good as in Gone Baby Gone. Jeremy Renner is fantastic. He's completely believable as Jim, Doug's (Affleck's) murderous friend and henchman. My wife loved Blake Lively as Krista, Doug's drug-addled former girlfriend, and as a happy coincidence, Jim's sister. Rebecca Hall as Claire the bank manager works well too. This strange pairing (Doug and Claire) works in a quirky way. For a similar take on this quirky situation, I recommend the 2001 Bruce Willis film Bandits. Back to The Town, the setting, Charlestown, MA) is so significant, that a case could be made that it is actually the main character. The remarkable authenticity, similar to Eastwood's Mystic River, is the key to the film. The heist story is familiar as is the "one more job and I'm getting out" theme. Another reviewer likened this movie to Heat, and I find that comparison valid too. So, even though The Town isn't terribly original, I enjoyed every minute of the film. Highly Recommended.

• Matt G

  
  Great film, great action. Had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. One of the best movies ever made! Ben Affleck does great in his second film in the directors chair, first being Gone Baby Gone, which is a wonderful film featuring Amy Ryan in my favorite performance from an… More
  Great film, great action. Had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. One of the best movies ever made! Ben Affleck does great in his second film in the directors chair, first being Gone Baby Gone, which is a wonderful film featuring Amy Ryan in my favorite performance from an actress. The extended cut of the movie is way too long and has way too many prolonged scenes. I'd recommend watching it on HBO if you get the opportunity, as this is a very fun flick.

• Nav K

  
  A fantastic, contemporary take on the modern cops vs robbers story. Very much in the mode of 'Heat', Ben Affleck shows us that his directing career may very well prove to be a far more successful venture that his acting career. The film appeals to all the senses, both… More
  A fantastic, contemporary take on the modern cops vs robbers story. Very much in the mode of 'Heat', Ben Affleck shows us that his directing career may very well prove to be a far more successful venture that his acting career. The film appeals to all the senses, both viscerally in a number of well directed action set-pieces, and emotionally with a fledgling romance and the pains of broken relationships. Well acted and directed. Special mentions go to Jeremy Renner who once again has proved he is an acting tour de force to be reckoned with.

• Max C

  
  Affleck's working class fetishism is embarrassing and insulting

• paul s

  
  Not only doing a fine job of filming several heist scenes, The Town adds a nice dimension by throwing in the early stages of a love affair between one of the robbers (Ben Affleck who also co-wrote and directed) and the assistant bank manager he's just robbed (Rebecca Hall).… More
  Not only doing a fine job of filming several heist scenes, The Town adds a nice dimension by throwing in the early stages of a love affair between one of the robbers (Ben Affleck who also co-wrote and directed) and the assistant bank manager he's just robbed (Rebecca Hall). Their meeting and subsequent entanglement seems plausible as are the motivations throughout this well paced and well shot film. In a nutshell, Affleck's character was born into a life of crime, so he and his crew work for a mobster who provides the background info in return for a piece of the action. After Affleck's closest friend goes over the top and then makes a mistake on a job, Affleck starts to see the light that it's only a matter or time before something goes seriously wrong and they all end up behind bars. This revelation is furthered as he gets to know the bank manager (who he was covertly checking out to see if she could offer any info to the police). Through her he begins to see a reason to exist outside of the crime family, but (no spoiler here really) getting out isn't as easy as it seems. A second, ill advised heist and subsequent chase scene are very well filmed - good tension without the Hollywood big - let's smash up a bunch of cars - chase scene. The final heist however seems a bit absurd, as do some of the actions during the final confrontation, but the film banked enough really good stuff to allow me to ignore the final bits and still recommend this film, even if I wondered how the gang was able to procure those accurate looking police outfits. Regardless, the film holds several really nice performances; from Jeremy Renner as Affleck's best friend, to Blake Lively as Renner's slutty sister, to John Hamm as the FBI agent in charge - smart enough to figure out all the players, but then resorting to typical bureaucratic overkill that will allow Affleck the possibility to smell out a trap. The film isn't without flaws, but is plausible enough until the end that you don't really have to suspend belief - all while providing solid entertainment.

• Jameson W

  
  So excellent! I would have loved to see this film grad the 10th Best Picture nominee slot last year...one of the best films of 2010.

• Lenny M

  
  Verbatim QueenCityFilms review echoing Heat with Southie projects accents. Last 30 minutes or so served up some wicked awesome chowder.

• Eric A

  
  Wow who would've thought that Ben Affleck could direct such a good film! I feel like this movie didn't get the proper recognition it deserved though. However, the movie is awesome and Affleck as an actor actually did a great job.

• Letitia L

  
  Saw it 4 times on the plane. It's sexy, gripping, the characters are solid and their strong personalities guide you firmly towards the story's explosive conclusion, bringing you on 3 gutsy, swashbuckling bank heists along the way.

• Anthony L

  
  I have to say I'm impressed with Ben Affleck's directional talents. He's not such a bad actor either but to do both well in only his second film as director is commendable. The Town is a decent heist film, with a great cast, all giving great performances and with great… More
  I have to say I'm impressed with Ben Affleck's directional talents. He's not such a bad actor either but to do both well in only his second film as director is commendable. The Town is a decent heist film, with a great cast, all giving great performances and with great cinematography etc etc. I was entertained throughout and yet, due to all the hype I have to say I expected more. The story is good but a little wishy washy, I can't say I have much sympathy for armed bank-robbers, even if they are slightly charming. The very end shot was quite disappointing considering the excitement that just came before it - much like Gone, baby gone, I would have liked a darker ending but all in all, a decent enough crime thriller, just not particularly original or groundbreaking but entertaining all the same.

• Sunny D

  
  Ben Affleck's breakout directing performance, 'The Town' will be remembered as his ode to Boston, and his finest lead work to date. Jeremy Renner plays a role which suits him perfectly, as the tough guy, bank robbing best friend, and the dynamic between him and Affleck… More
  Ben Affleck's breakout directing performance, 'The Town' will be remembered as his ode to Boston, and his finest lead work to date. Jeremy Renner plays a role which suits him perfectly, as the tough guy, bank robbing best friend, and the dynamic between him and Affleck takes the movie to another level. While watching the film, I couldn't help but draw many parallels with the plot from 'Heat', but ultimately the story, action, and directing make this movie a must-watch. Grade only gets docked for moments of shaky dialogue, and maybe one too many helicopter shots. Grade: A-

• Christopher H

  
  Actor and screenplay writer Ben Affleck returns to the directors chair for the second time in this crime-thriller set among the tough streets of Charlestown, Massachusetts. Ben Affleck stars as Doug MacRay, a long time bank robber who tries to balance his feelings for a bank manager… More
  Actor and screenplay writer Ben Affleck returns to the directors chair for the second time in this crime-thriller set among the tough streets of Charlestown, Massachusetts. Ben Affleck stars as Doug MacRay, a long time bank robber who tries to balance his feelings for a bank manager connected to a previous heist and evade arrest by a determined FBI agent. I am not the biggest fan of Ben Affleck as an actor but he gives a surprisingly solid performance in this movie. The movie also has a strong supporting cast. Actor Jeremy Renner shines as MacRays edgy partner in crime, and the scenes with the two together are both riveting and emotionally engaging. John Hamm plays the FBI agent. The guy steals every scene he is in with great dialogue and an intimidating attitude. His character is not developed too much but then again, he is the cop chasing MacRay so he probably did not need to be developed extensively. Even Chris Cooper who plays MacRays father gives a memorable performance, and he is only in one scene. This movie combines the gritty realistically portrayed action of movies such as Heat along with the great characters and dialogue of The Departed. The bank robbery scenes are exciting, the gun fights are intense and a car chase that had me at the edge of my seat. One of the things that makes this movie special is at its core, even though it is a story we have seen many times before. What makes this film unique however, is the audience truly cares for Doug MacRay and whether he will escape the life of crime so accepted in this rough and tough neighborhood in Charlestown. This movie gives fresh air to an old concept. It also sends the viewer through a roller-coaster ride of emotion, drama and a few moments of subtle humor. Ben Affleck proves in this film that he is a very talented director.

• Sanjay R

  
  Not as good as it could have been. Scenes of people planning a robbery and then pulling it off are very interesting, but there are not as many of those as you would think. There is also little suspense throughout the film.

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