So, I just came across the teaser for Ben Affleck's brand new film 'The Town', which is actually based on the book 'Prince of Thieves' by crime writer Chuck Hogan. It's a gritty, well written film and looks like it will keep you hooked from start to finish.
The dark third novel by the author of The Standoff isn't the fast-paced thriller it's marketed to be. It is, rather, a story of doomed love focusing on Doug MacRay, a Boston-based career thief (he comes from Charlestown, "a breeding ground for bank and armored-car robbers") who becomes enamored with the manager of the bank he and his pals have just robbed. Claire Keesey, who has been badly traumatized by the robbery, later begins to develop feelings for him as well, unaware that a masked MacRay was the lead perpetrator in the heist that turned her life upside down. Hogan then leads readers through a long-winded labyrinth of inner reflection as Doug spends much of the book pondering whether he should quit the criminal life in order to pursue a deeper relationship with Claire. This undermines the suspense that crime fiction requires, and the novel is overlong by more than half. Although some characters are quite lively, most of them (including Doug) are not very sympathetic, and the end brings tragedy for many of them. All the same, the author's original writing style and knack for unusual metaphors can make for engaging reading, and the book's cinematic quality and grittily realistic action sequences bode well for its day on screen.
The film boasts a stelllar cast with Ben Affleck at the helm, but joining him are Jon Hamm [Mad Men], Rebecca Hall [Vicky Cristina Barcelona], Jeremy Renner [The Hurt Locker], Blake Lively [Gossip Girl], Chris Cooper [Remember Me] and Pete Posthelwaithe [Romeo & Juliet].
- Ben Affleck as Doug MacRay, a career criminal
- Jon Hamm as Special Agent Adam Frawley, an FBI agent pursuing the team of criminals
- Rebecca Hall as Claire, a bank manager who falls in love with Doug
- Jeremy Renner as Jem Coughlin, a member of Doug's team
- Blake Lively as Krista Coughlin, the sister of Jem; and Doug's ex-girlfriend who has a 19-month old daughter, Shyne
- Chris Cooper as Doug's father
- Slaine as Gloansy, a member of Doug's team.
- Pete Postelthwaite TBA
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