The Town (2010) R - 4½ Stars

I really really enjoyed this entertaining movie based on the novel by Dennis Lehane aka, "Prince of Thieves." I'm not a huge Affleck fan but he's at his best both acting and directing this modern day classic about bank robbers. With great action, suspense and romance, an award winning cast and the perfect visual costume and set design, "The Town," really delivers one of the best heist movies in a long time. The chase scenes are perfect without being overdone and you'll find yourself rooting for the bad guy. Jeremy Renner is superb. If you didn't have a chance to see it in the theater, make sure you rent it. I feel it's got Oscar written somewhere in it.

Set in the Charleston, MA., suburbs of Boston, Doug MacRay, (Ben Affleck), leads a group of ruthless bank robbers made up of James "Jem" Coughlin (Jeremy Renner), Albert "Gloansy" Magloan, (Slaine), and Desmond Elden, (Owen Burke). His group is very good at what they do getting in and out leaving no loose ends. After all, Doug's learned from the best, his father Stephen,(Chris Cooper) a former Charleston's thief doing time in jail.

On one of their heists, Doug encounters the pretty bank manager Claire Keesey, (Rebecca Hall). Plans start to fall apart as Claire trips the alarm and the gang is forced to take her hostage in order to escape. After letting her go, they discover Claire lives in the same part of town as they do. Even though they pull off their jobs under full costume, they're hoping she won't be able to recognize any of them. Always one step ahead of FBI special agent Adam Frawley, (Jon Hamm), Doug slowly approaches Claire feeling compelled to comfort the residual effects the robbery has etched into her soul. He volunteers to keep an eye on her and forms an instant attraction to her. Jem is eager to see her completely removed from the picture but Doug stops him and is willing to give up all of his bad habits for her. Now if the two can only escape from the town.

Awards:
2010 - National Board of Review - Best Ensemble Cast
2010 - Washington DC Area Film Critics Association Awards - WAFCA Award

GK Films, Legendary Pictures, Inc., Thunder Road Pictures, Warner Brothers Pictures
Directors: Adrian Lyne, Ben Affleck
Writers: Chuck Hogan, Aaron Stockard, Sheldon Turner
Producers: Basil Iwanyk, Graham King

I viewed 12/10