Adapted from Chuck Hogan’s novel, Prince of Thieves, this film follows the exploits of four lifelong friends in crime as they make their way through a series of armed robberies and attempt to avoid the heat of law enforcement. While the plot behind this bank heist thriller may not be very original, the method in which it was filmed makes up for that.
With a suburb cast and a great location, The Town captures your attention from start to finish. Director Ben Affleck shows his strength both on the screen as one of the main characters and behind the camera. In The Town he’s created a sense of community and brotherhood that unravels throughout the film. This depth of character development is what sets this film apart from other heist movies in years past.
There is a great amount going on here, without it seeming cluttered or overwhelming. You see the brotherhood between the group of thieves, the FBI operations trying to take them down, the dark forces behind each job and much more. At many stages an important choice must be made, such as when the main character wrestles with putting his life of crime behind him and starting over or taking on one final job. In addition to the character development, these moments of decision are what drive The Town forward.
All together, I strongly recommend The Town if you want to see a well-acted and well-directed movie with certain scenes that will leave you with an impression that will be difficult to forget. I can see this gem picking up an Oscar or two down the road.
