One of the ‘best heist movies ever made’ that was nominated for an Oscar is conisdered as ‘Ben Affleck’s best’.
The Town is being rediscovered by fans after being added to Netflix for US users. However, UK based viewers can instead watch it via Amazon Prime service.
First released in 2010, it was the second film directed by Affleck himself, while he also led a star-studded cast.
Joining him on screen were Jeremy Renner, Blake Lively, Jon Hamm, Rebecca Hall and Pete Postlethwaite.
Affleck portrays one of four thieves who rob a bank and take the bank manager hostage.
They eventually release her but one of them keeps an eye on her movements to ensure she doesn’t decide to report to the police.
He soon finds himself falling for her, reports the Mirror US.
The film is based on the 2004 novel Prince of Thieves by Chuck Hogan. Affleck co-wrote the script with Aaron Stockard and Peter Craig, who would later write the screen stories for films such as The Batman, Top Gun Maverick and Gladiator II.
Jeremy Renner received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in the film. Pete Postlethwaite was nominated for a BAFTA in the same category, although he sadly passed away less than a year after the film’s cinema release.
The Town, with its impressive 91% Rotten Tomatoes rating, remains a favourite among cinephiles, often compared to the classic Heat for its gripping action and heist sequences.
One enthusiast took to the internet to express their admiration: “Ben Affleck’s The Town is not just another heist film-it’s a gripping story of loyalty, betrayal, and the inescapable ties to one’s past. With a stellar cast led by Affleck himself, along with Jeremy Renner, Rebecca Hall, and Blake Lively, the film delivers intense action, deep emotions, and some unforgettable performances.”
Another fan boldly claimed: “Second only to Heat for the greatest heist movie ever made.”
Echoing this sentiment, someone else remarked: “One of the best thriller movies ever.”
A different viewer praised the film’s homage to Boston: “An iconic American bank robbery film that pays homage to Boston. Not many movies can do that. It’s not Heat, but it tries to be and deserves recognition for what it achieves. The creepy nun mask bank robbers burn an image into the mind of the viewers that keep them remembering this film for years to come.”
Many argue that The Town is Ben Affleck’s finest work as both actor and director, surpassing his subsequent projects such as Argo, Live By Night, and Air.
As one fan put it: “This is the best movie made by Ben Affleck, stressing and moving. Affleck, Hamm and Hall makes a great job, but Jeremy Rennet leave his soul in this performance, what a great film.”
Another individual shared a comparable opinion: “The Town is still one of my favourites and still Ben Affleck’s best. A simple gangster movie, with a lot of depth and memorable performances (Especially Jeremy Renner). The robbery sequences are fantastic. Always worth a re-watch.”
The Town is streaming on Amazon Prime.