☆★☆★☆★☆★
Roger Ebert’s three-star review is discussed for praising Renner and Affleck’s direction.
In the discussion (2)
- Ebert awarded The Town three stars.
- The review praised Jeremy Renner’s performance and Ben Affleck’s direction.
Adrian Lyne nearly directed; Mark Wahlberg was wanted for Jim before Casey Affleck suggested Jeremy Renner.
In the discussion (5)
- Adrian Lyne was considered as director.
- Affleck originally wanted Mark Wahlberg for Jim.
- Wahlberg was unavailable while making The Fighter.
- Casey Affleck suggested Jeremy Renner after working with him.
- Renner had completed The Hurt Locker before The Town’s release.
Research covers the Melrose bank location, prison filming, and the disputed Charlestown bank-robbery statistics.
In the discussion (6)
- A former MassBank branch in Melrose was used for the opening robbery.
- The Chris Cooper scene was filmed at MCI Cedar Junction, reportedly a first for the prison.
- The trailer claimed more than 300 annual bank robberies centered in Charlestown.
- Contemporary Massachusetts robbery statistics were much lower.
- Charlestown residents objected to the portrayal.
- The source book was set in the mid-1990s, when the reputation fit better.
Chris’s DWI timing, heist disclosure, sibling casting, Claire, voices, uniforms, hockey, and rink funding produce distinct nitpicks.
In the discussion (8)
- Chris is thrown out of the Fenway hotel and gets a DWI almost immediately.
- Chris knowing and disclosing the Fenway plan is confusing without deleted scenes.
- Renner and Lively’s physical mismatch as siblings is questioned.
- Jim not killing Claire is questioned.
- Claire’s exposure to the investigation should make her a larger police target.
- Claire should recognize Doug’s voice from the robbery.
- Doug’s abrupt end as a third-round Bruins pick is questioned.
- The ice-rink donation funded with stolen money is questioned.
Uniforms, the rink, Shine’s future, Fenway cash, role swaps, and Doug’s hockey ability drive the questions.
In the discussion (8)
- Where did the gang get all the official uniforms?
- How did Claire establish the rink with stolen money?
- What happens to Shine Coughlin as a teenager?
- Why would Red Sox ownership show Fenway as easy to rob?
- Would swapping Blake Lively and Rebecca Hall improve the film?
- Would swapping Affleck and Renner improve the film?
- How good at hockey was Doug?
- Would a local Bruins draft pick be too recognizable to become a bank robber?
Roger Ebert's review