Poor Ben Affleck. After receiving an Oscar, along with co-writer and co-star Matt Damon, for Good Will Hunting, the fortunes of Ben and Matt have headed in two seperate directions. While Damon opted for acting projects with quality directors Redford, Soderberg, Eastwood, Greengrass and Scorsese, Affleck took the bullshit blockbuster root with films like Deception, Forces Of Nature, Pearl Harbour, Gigli, Paycheck and Daredevil. Some of them made plenty of money (Armageddon) and a few of them received some acclaim (Changing Lanes / The Sum Of All Fears) but the general feeling was that Ben didn't have much range as an actor or that he'd sold out, taking the 'movie star' route to film acting. And I think I'd go along with that.
But then Ben made a decision. He started rebuilding his credibility in the movie world, first by taking prestigious roles in edgier fare like Smokin' Aces, State Of Play and Hollywoodland. Then he turned his hand to directing with the critically acclaimed Gone Baby Gone. His follow up directorial effort to that, The Town in which he stars as well, is a triumph.
You can see why producer Christopher Nolan had Affleck on his wish list to direct the upcoming Superman flick as Affleck's direction is accomplished, mature and assured. As with most crime capers, The Town is about a professional thief who wants to go straight...the twist here being that he's fallen in love with a former hostage from a recent bank job. Every performance is top notch from an understated Affleck, hothead Jeremy Renner, determined cop John Hamm, neighbourhood tart Blake Lively and Rebecca Hall's fragile victim. It's tense, thrilling, gritty and absorbing...The Town is reminisent of crime classics like Heat and The Departed. Who'd have thought that arrogant twat from Armageddon could have it in him.
On a final note, I'm a little worried about the hype surrounding Jeremy Renner. Now he's been brilliant in both this and Hurt Locker to be sure, but rumours of him being groomed to be a leading man...potentially feel premature and foolish. I've not seen anything that would make me think he's capable of playing a character that's sympathetic or likable enough to carry a major franchise like Mission Impossible. Even rumours of him taking on the rebooted Snake Pliskin role fill me with dread as Kurt Russell's Snake was at least charming. Renner has yet to show any charm. So Hollywood...I hope you know what you're doing...
1 comment:
This was great. A very good film from Mr Affleck. I was engrossed.
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