Review of The Town

Congratulations should go out to Ben Affleck. He's directed a very good film here. I've never much enjoyed him on screen, but this is the about the best performance I've seen from him. The Town is exciting, smart, and sentimental without being sappy. The film has a very sober, blue-collar feel to it, and is completely cheese-factor free. It doesn't reach too far to find its drama and the tension between the characters is expertly written and directed. The chase scenes, action sequences and shoot-outs are all taut, gripping, and great-looking and while comparisons to Heat and The Departed are inevitable, The Town is a very distinct, original movie. 25th Hour comes to my mind as well, which can only be a good thing. A bit self-indulgent at times, but hey, Affleck deserves to make the movie he wants, and at least he had the good taste to refrain from obnoxious Drop Kick Murphy soundtrack pieces. The Town is one of the better major-studio films of the year, but ultimately there's not enough at stake, and lacks enough fresh, noteworthy approaches at meaningful themes or ideas to be considered truly great. But that said, assuming you like movies, make a point to see it before it leaves theatres if you can.