“The Town” directed by Ben Affleck, starring Ben Affleck, Rebecca Hall, Jon Hamm & Jeremy Renner / Z-View

The Town (2010)

Director:  Ben Affleck

Screenplay: Peter Craig, Ben Affleck, Aaron Stockard based on PRINCE OF THIEVES by Chuck Hogan

Stars: Ben Affleck, Rebecca Hall, Jon Hamm, Jeremy Renner, Blake Lively, George Carroll, Owen Burke, Titus Welliver, Pete Postlethwaite, Chris Cooper and Victor Garber.

Tagline: Welcome to the bank robbery capital of America.

The Plot…

Doug MacRay (Affleck), “Jem” Coughlin (Renner), “Gloansy” MacGloan (Carroll) and “Dez” Elden (Burke) have been friends for years.  Now in their early twenties they are accomplished bank robbers.  When the latest heist goes sideways, Jem takes bank teller Claire Keesey (Hall) hostage during their getaway.

When Claire is released unharmed, FBI agents think she may have been working with the bank robbers.  Because Claire may have information she’s given to the FBI, the thieves decide Doug should “get close” to her.  Doug sets up a random encounter.  He and Claire hit it off.  Soon Doug finds himself falling for her.

As the FBI begin to close in, Doug and his crew are given their next robbery assignment.  When Doug refuses the job, Claire’s life is threatened.  No matter what Doug chooses, things are not going to end well.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Jeremy Renner was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role. He was also nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture.  Renner was also a nominee for the Best Supporting Actor Award by the National Society of Film Critics, USA.  The Screen Actors Guild also nominated him as Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role.

Pete Postlethwaite was nominated for a British Academy Film Award as Best Supporting Actor.

Kudos to Ben Affleck who shows his prowess as a director.

The Town (2010) rates 5 of 5 stars.