There is something to be said about putting the one thing you know and love (in any kind of strange way) into your creations. This is why I think Ben Affleck wastes no time when trying to show us what the city of Boston means, what being from Charlestown ("The Town") means. You just know, through many of Affleck's movies so far, that Boston is his playground of creations, no matter what road he takes.
Born in Charlestown is being born into a lifelong profession of crime. Without any exit routes, other than the prison. Or maybe not? Maybe there is a way out, through an outside link, even if that link just happens to be the one hostage you take in your latest robbery. Somehow life lands us those coincidences, I presume. "The Town" grabs you from the beginning, with its factual surprising statistic about Charlestown - home to more armored car and bank robbers than anywhere else in America (and we thought we knew almost everything there is to know about big crime clusters through the many mob films). Then taking you from Charlestown's fact, to Boston's skyline, to a Cambridge overture. After that, it is a thrilling ride. Meticulously planned jobs, with a masterfully executed final crescendo. Doug MacRay (Ben Affleck), our "hero", wants out this time. And you know the drill. There is always one last time. There is always one romance to fill in the rough edges. But there was not always the best neighborhood friend that owns every single second of the screen in such a way that after the movie, you keep thinking about his character and not that much about the hero. Jeremy Renner, well done. Jem (Renner), playing the partner in crime (the usual role) delivers the unusual. Unusual mastery. Keeping us perplexed about his next move. Whether it is going to be a geniously plotted escape, or an impulsive kick at the victim or his team buddies, or a scream just because he feels like it. You just don't know. But you know that there is fearlessness as well as fear of staying trapped in this life, in this environment. You know that there is loyalty, brotherly loyalty that he cannot compromise, even if others can. And you want to see more.
I haven't mentioned Jon Hamm (Agent Frawley) at all. And I won't mention Jon Hamm unless I am reviewing the way he drinks his whisky and other shenanigans in Don Draper's spacious office. Enough said.
Finally, I hope Affleck is ruminating his next project and starting is soon. Because after Good Will Hunting (as co-writer with Matt Damon), directing Gone Baby Gone and The Town, I can't wait for the next Affleck Boston ride.
