The Town

[Beate]

The funny thing is I was waiting for a plot twist all the way through, thinking the girl might have been involved from the beginning somehow or something, but it never came - it was just a straightforward action thriller, and Affleck and Hall really make the whole story work.

[filmfeb]

Saw this today--well-crafted and well acted. very violent in parts but necessary for the storyline.
In view of his previous criminal history found Ben Affleck's overnight change of character slightly unbelievable but this did not spoil my enjoyment of the film-recommend it.

[kevinknapman]

An impressive thriller that rises above it's potentially generic subject matter with a combination of excellent acting, a sharp script, confident direction and a sure sense of place. Yes we've seen the story of a criminal trying to put a life of crime behind him but it's done with such skill it rarely matters.
Affleck proves that 'Gone Baby Gone' wasn't a one off and shows that a Clint Eastwood like career trajectory is his for the taking. Affleck is low key and charming in front of the camera which leaves a lot of room for other actors to make an impression. Rebecca Hall's combination of toughness and vulnerability works well, Jon Hamm stakes his claim for the A-List with an impressive turn as the FBI agent and Jeremy Renner does dangerous and unpredictable so well without dipping into caricature. Smaller but no less assured turns from Blake Lively (a world away from Gossip Girl), Chris Cooper, Titus Welliver and Pete Postlethwaite make this one cast with no weak links, showing that Ben Affleck is a real actor's director.
The action scenes are muscular and effective without getting too Hollywood (A car chase through narrow streets feels very real).
If I have a criticism it comes from it's move from page to screen (It's based on Chuck Hogan's novel 'Prince of Thieves'). The relationship between Doug and Claire has more room to breathe in the book and feels a little more convincing. It's a bit more rushed on screen and feels a little more contrived. There's more to Claire's relationship with the FBI agent in the book too which makes the relationship triangle more intriguing there. Doug's alcoholism is also only hinted at in the film but is given more importance in the book showing that Doug has more than just a life of crime to escape from. As a result the character of Doug's AA Sponsor/surrogate father gets lost entirely. Also gone is a cinema takings heist that makes a nice change in the book from banks and armoured trucks and could have done the same here.
These are small niggles though and understandable given it's quite a long film already, a pretty long book and some things needed to go.
Still, what's left is highly watchable and very entertaining.

[tilly]

Seen this today in clapham.

I thought the film was good but it was rather long!. I also agree that it was pretty violent but I guess the film needed that due to the nature of the story. It did start off a bit slow but I was rooting for Ben affleck at the end! Overall not a bad film for a sunday morning. 7.5/10

[a_person]

Watched this in the morning at PH Greenwich. I'm such a dufus, I didn't read my ticket properly. Being used to Odeon Greenwich on a Sunday morning, I had thought this started at 10:30am. I got there at 10:15 while I waited ten minutes thinking "why aren't they letting me in?" They lady was speaking to me from the other side and expected me to lip read what she was saying. As I was getting bored, I looked at my ticket to realise it actually starts at 11:00am!!!! I was so annoyed I lost an hour of sleep and then realised my pa*d parking may not extend until then!!!!!!!

Beate came with her OH and just as she was crossing the road, she ran back across. I thought she had lost her oyster card until her OH told me she left the ticket behind so we talked for a while. He always manages to make me smile!!! Finally milkchocmonk texted me to tell me she saw me.

Eventually went into the cinema, for a first, I happened to be one of the first! Got myself two of these reclining seats Beate talks about and saved her two on my side and another two on my mates side for MCM. Some lady decided to come and move my stuff without even having the audacity to ask me to which I had to tell her, two people are already sitting there to which she argumentatively replied "but they're not here yet" and I was like "actually they are." Really irritated me whilst I was thinking, "what has it got to do with you where the %^&$ they are". If it were the other way around and I said that, I'm sure she would have started a full blown argument.

I thought the film was enjoyable. I didn't think there was anything special about it or anything that makes it strike out against other action films but enjoyed this sort of an action on Sunday morning. It was really funny when they were dressed as nuns and were staring at the boston police office who, after looking so dazzled, eventually looked away. My friend quite enjoyed it too and said it reminded him alot of "Mystic Rivers" (I have no idea what that's about as I haven't watched it!). 8/10 from me, I've already given tickets for my brother in law tomorrow to go watch it at WIQ. I'm sure he's going to really enjoy it!

[Beate]

Beate came with her OH and just as she was crossing the road, she ran back across. I thought she had lost her oyster card until her OH told me she left the ticket behind so we talked for a while. He always manages to make me smile!!!

Oh gawd, what did he say this time?? I don't think he makes much sense most of the time, LOL.

[marjoreemarjora]

Saw this in Edinburgh this morning in Cameo 2. Have to say prefer the larger cinema. Was very busy as was last week.

Agree with Kevinknapman re Clint Eastwood comparison. Tho only downside is Ben's accent and that of some of the others which in parts was difficult to follow.

Bit violent for a Sunday morning, but did not feel it was gratuitous, more that it was part of the film.

Liked to see Pete Postlewaite too, he is doing well these days too.

Did not feel quite as good as Gone Baby Gone so 7.5/10 from me

[a_person]

Oh gawd, what did he say this time?? I don't think he makes much sense most of the time, LOL.

He's lovelyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy, leave him alone!

[big_bad_wolf]

Watched this sunday morning at a 3/4 filled Southampton cinema and really enjoyed every minute of it. A bit violent in places and some swearing which did'nt interfere with the enjoyment of the film. We all found ourselves willing the bank robbers to beat the FBI. Overall a great one to watch again and again FANTASTIC.

[Beate]

I thought this one was entertaining but, unlike Gone Baby Gone, instantly forgettable.