The Town

“The Town” is an action filled film taking place in and referencing Charlestown, a pocket suburb of Boston, where more bank robberies take place per capita square mile than almost anywhere else in the US. This is Ben Affleck’s movie for he not only directs and stars in the film but co-wrote the screenplay together with Aaron Stockard Peter Craig and Chuck Hogan, the author of the book “Prince of Thieves” upon which the story is based. Ben Affleck last directed “Gone Baby Gone” to critical acclaims and this film proves that his stellar directorial debut then was no accident or chance of fate. Ben Affleck directs with clarity, ease and a willingness to give his other actors, Jon Hamm (“Mad Men”) and Rebecca Hall, the space and opportunity to each shine in his or her own right. There are lots of action scenes in this film and perhaps a bit more violence than one would care to witness but, bottom line, the film will hold your interest and even allow you to root for the “bad guys” as they battle and rob their way through the movie. I give the film 3 stars with a salute to Mr. Affleck who excels in all of the 3 assignments he undertook..