Ben Affleck branded Charlestown the “bank robbery capital” of America in his movie about the neighbourhood, The Town. Neither cops nor statistics actually bear that statement out, but he certainly painted a picture of a rough neighbourhood where its inhabitants (“townies”) scowl at outsiders and steal everything that’s not nailed down. Sean and I have been to Boston a few times so I can’t quite recall which time we ventured out to “the town” for some dinner but I do recall deliberating whether we should. Sure the internet was calling this Moroccan restaurant one of Boston’s best, but did we feel safe?
Clearly things have changed since Ben Affleck last spent the night in Charlestown. When we visited, it was gentrified as hell, Beamers parked up and down the street. It’s also been a while since we last watched the film, so without the benefit of bellydancers or couscous, we gave it a re-watch.
Ben Affleck came on board as director only after someone else bowed out. His original cut of the movie was 4 hours long, and if you’re interested, it’s available to watch on the Blu-Ray. The studio convinced him to cut it down to 2 hours, 8 minutes for our sake, still a lengthy movie, but one that just flies by. Affleck’s character assembles a team of ruffians who brazenly rob banks and armoured trucks. He’s wanting to get out of this life, but neither his friends nor his enemies are willing to let him go. So that’s a complication. Another little wrinkle: the woman he’s currently in a relationship with is a former hostage of his, only she doesn’t know it. So that’s awkward.
You can tell Affleck is an actor-director; the action scenes are electric but the editing slows way down during character-driven scenes. He lingers over them. And he knows a great performance when he sees one. In The Town, the scene stealer was Jeremy Renner, who Casey Affleck recommended when Ben couldn’t get Mark Walhberg. Affleck has since said that Renner’s performance was so strong that he could literally save a scene by cutting to Renner looking down at a napkin.
Anyway, whether or not The Town is an accurate portrayal of the people and criminals who live there, it’s an excellent film, slick and well-paced, and it definitely benefits from great on-location shooting. The Boston on screen no longer exists, if it ever did, but it’s a great cinematic accomplishment for a hometown boy.
ASSHOLES WATCHING MOVIES 
I love this film. Affleck is building a reputation as a great director.
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Yeah it’s surprising that he’s made this jump so seamlessly, especially at a time when it seemed his acting career was maybe tanking.
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“Affleck has since said that Renner’s performance was so strong that he could literally save a scene by cutting to Renner looking down at a napkin.”
That sums it up perfectly.
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Excellent crime film and one of the reason’s I’ll watch just about anything Affleck directs.
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The Town is one of my favorite Affleck films. While Charlestown definitely has undergone a huge metamorphosis, once upon a time, especially in the 70s and 80s, it did resemble what was depicted in the film.
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Never heard of it but want to see this. Love Mr.Renner.
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Thanks Jay.. it’s on the list
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Good review. The Town was a surprise hit for me. I didn’t expect to like it as much. Affleck was great in it as was Renner.
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Excellent review. I am glad you liked this movie too. I find it interesting how you could understand his processed as a director by the way he edited the performances. You have a great eye for detail😊
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Sounds like one to catch. Thanks!
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With Affleck I find that it’s hit or miss… some films are great and others are, well, not… I’ll have to give this one a viewing 🙂
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“…the woman he’s currently in a relationship with is a former hostage of his, only she doesn’t know it.” <–Eeek.
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I thought this was a really great flick, even if Affleck never quite convinced me. He’s right about Renner, though. 4 hour cut on the Blu-Ray, eh? That’s mighty intriguing…
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I’ve seen this a few times over the years and don’t mind it.
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