"Driver's name is Arthur Shea. Former Metro Police officer, fifty-seven years old. Soon as his partner leaves with the coal bag, Artie cracks a Herald, and he don't look up 'til the guy gets back. Marty Maguire. Cummins Armored courier. Five-ten, two-twenty, fifty-two years old. Picks up every Wednesday and Friday at exactly 8:12, makes a hundred and ten dollars a day, carries a Sig nine. And he's about to get robbed."
That, my friend, is how the movie opened, with Ben Affleck's voice narrating.
Just so you know, I had never liked Mr. Affleck. I hate his big shiny smile, I hate his perfectly sculpted face, I hate his lame movies ('Daredevil'? 'Gigli'? Come on!). I simply hate him. Period.
But I recently have a change of heart, particularly after I saw his latest movie, 'The Town.' I know he's got 'Gone Baby Gone' as his debut in directing before this one, but I don't really like the movie.
Co-written and directed by Affleck him self, 'The Town' is adapted from Chuck Hogan's novel, 'Prince of Thieves.' Starring Affleck as central character (Doug MacRay), along with Jeremy Renner (James Coughlin), Slaine (Albert Magloan), and Owen Burke (Desmond Elden), this quartet played a long time thieves from the dangerous streets of Charlestown. The gang had successfully managed to rob several banks, before their last action forced Coughlin to take the bank manager, Claire Keesey (played by Rebecca Hall), as hostage.
While in action, these robbers always wearing masks to hide their true identities. Unfortunately for them, Keesey saw Coughlin's tattoo on his neck. After they released her in a shore, she's been interrogated by FBI. But she didn't say anything about the tattoo, afraid of what the robbers might do to her if she talk.
The complication arised as they found that that girl lives just four blocks away from their neighborhood. MacRay began to stalking on Keesey, to make sure she kept her mouth shut and that she didn't have any clue about them.
But, as the opposite of Stockholm syndrome, wherein hostages express adulation and have positive feelings towards their captors, MacRay found that he had fallen in love with this Keesey girl.
What I like about this movie is that they can mix crime, violance, and love story altogether in a perfect composition. Yes, it's an action flick with men and guns and fire, but without the we-are-cool-so-let's-just-walk-away-in-slow-motion-from-the-blown-up-car-on-the-background cliche.
Affleck showing his best in 'The Town.' He skilfully acts, writes, and directs the movie. As for Renner, in another case, I've always had this thing about this guy. He has such a badass material, that makes him a perfect actor to play the role of the villain. And he's a musician too! *drooling
I won't be surprised if this movie becomes one of the Oscar contenders. Good job, Mr. Affleck!
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