The Town

Based on the Chuck Hogan novel, Prince of Thieves, The Town follows a daring band of bank robbers as they work the town of Charlestown, Boston. Following a job on a Cambridge bank, Doug (Affleck), Jem (Renner), Gloansy (Slaine) and Dez (Owen Burke) find themselves hostage takers having kidnapped the bank’s manager Claire (Hall). After her release, Doug and Claire become romantically involved. However, things fail to proceed smoothly for the crew of robbers as Doug’s past and present begin to clash, and FBI agent Frawley (Hamm) starts investigating the robberies.

Of particular note is the appearance of Jon Hamm in a significant, critically acclaimed film production. Having won numerous awards for his work on the AMC television drama Mad Men, it is a delight to see Hamm’s career go from strength to strength as he finally appears in a film of this calibre. Similarly refreshing is the appearance of Jeremy Renner. Following his dramatic ascendance to fame following The Hurt Locker, Renner has become a greatly sought after commodity, and there is little sign of this changing any time soon. Flanked by the likes of Blake Lively of Gossip Girl fame, it is clear that Affleck has assembled a cast of the freshest and most desired talent in Hollywood and created something very special with them.

Spurred by excitement surrounding Affleck’s return to the director’s chair, The Town has garnered almost unanimous positive praise from the critics. The public have sided with this favourable verdict of new film, having generously voted with their wallets to push The Town to huge commercial success and to Number 1 at the Box Office in its week of release. Ben Affleck invitation to the bank robber capital of America is guaranteed not to disappoint.

David Burroughs