Wednesday 9 March 2011

GREAT NIGHT IN: THE TOWN (DVD) ****


"There are over 300 bank robberies in Boston every year. Staggeringly, a one-square-mile neighbourhood in Boston, called Charlestown, has produced more bank robbers than anywhere in the U.S. One of them is Doug MacRay, the leader of a crew of ruthless bank robbers who pride themselves on taking what they want and getting out clean.

The only family Doug has are his partners in crime, especially Jem, the closest thing he ever had to a brother. But Jem makes a mistake by taking a blindfolded hostage, bank manager Claire Keesey, who happens to live just a couple of blocks away from the criminals. Doug seeks out Claire, merely to check up on her and to make sure she won't talk, but she has no idea that this charming stranger is one of the men who terrorized her only days before.

As their relationship deepens into a passionate romance, Doug wants out of his life and the town to start afresh. But with the Feds, led by Agent Frawley, closing in and Jem questioning his loyalty, Doug realizes that getting out will not be easy and, worse still, may put Claire in the line of fire.

The Town is a gripping thriller with some spectacular set-pieces, a wonderful story, and twists that will have you on the edge of your seat. The cast is strong, with Affleck on top form, even if John Hamm's Irish accent disappears every so often, but it's touching to see Pete Postlethwaite do what he always did best in one of his final roles before his death.  Wrapped around the movie is a fantastic score, complementing car chases and shoot-outs a plenty, while the bank raids are creepily effective. All in all, a hugely enjoyable, well-acted piece of storytelling, and one of the best films of last year."

  

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