Ben Affleck is back behind the camera and has a starring role in his latest crime drama “The Town”, set in Boston. “The Town” is based on the book by Chuck Hogan “Prince of Thieves: A Novel”. Affleck (Doug) is a hardened criminal type who finds he is deeply conflicted when he falls in love with Claire (Rebbecca Hall) a victim of their latest bank robbery. Aspects of the movie are reminiscent of techniques used in “The Departed”, Mann’s “Heat” and “The Dark Knight”.

“The Town” showcases the neighbourhood of Charlestown, touted as one of the most crime infested places in the United States. Doug MacRay (Affleck) is part of a local gang that robs banks to survive. Something goes wrong on the gang’s latest heist. The bank manager, Claire sees more then she should, forcing the gang to briefly take her hostage. Aware that the bank robbers know a lot about her Claire is unaware that Doug is one of them when she happens to meet him a few days later.  The immediate chemical attraction between them leads to a passionate romance that will capitulate the couple into dangerous territory.

The strongest aspect of “The Town” is its stellar supporting cast which include: Rebecca Hall, Jon Hamm, Jeremy Renner, Titus Welliver, Pete Postlethwaite and Chris Cooper. Jeremy Renner plays James Coughin, MacRay’s closest friend and fellow gang member. Renner (“Hurt Locker”) portrays a wild man with a short fuse. Renner steals the show as a convincing and unpredictable criminal you can’t help but love and fear.  “The Town” is a good second directorial effort for Affleck overall, but it is the performances he pulls out of his supporting cast that truly show he has potential to shine in the director’s chair.