Most Rewatchable Scene · 32:05
The North End heist
The opening bank robbery is nominated.
Bill Simmons: The pre-robbery meeting and practical details are praised.
‹ All movies
30:18
1:17:29
1:27:45
1:33:37
1:42:43
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Roger Ebert
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Dion Waiters Award
Blake Lively
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“That Guy” Award
Slaine
The Neil McCauley “A Book about Metals” Award for Best Line from the Movie · 1:38:09
“There goes college soccer”
Bill Simmons: The Jack Clark line is nominated.
Cast
Selected cast credits · Film reference
Ben Affleck
Douglas "Doug" MacRay
Rebecca Hall
Claire Keesey
Jon Hamm
Special Agent Adam Frawley
Jeremy Renner
James "Jem" Coughlin
Blake Lively
Krista "Kris" Coughlin
Chris Cooper
Stephen "Big Mac" MacRay
Pete Postlethwaite
Fergus "Fergie" Colm
Slaine
Albert "Gloansy" MacGloan
Owen Burke
Desmond "Dez" Elden
Titus Welliver
Det. Dino Ciampa
Everything from the episode
In the order the hosts got to it. Open a row for the discussion.
30:18
Roger Ebert's review
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:30:18Read transcript
- Ebert awarded The Town three stars. — Bill Simmons
- The review praised Jeremy Renner’s performance and Ben Affleck’s direction. — Bill Simmons
1:17:29
Casting What-Ifs
Adrian Lyne nearly directed; Mark Wahlberg was wanted for Jim before Casey Affleck suggested Jeremy Renner.
Adrian Lyne nearly directed; Mark Wahlberg was wanted for Jim before Casey Affleck suggested Jeremy Renner.
In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 01:17:29Read transcript
- Adrian Lyne was considered as director. — Bill Simmons
- Affleck originally wanted Mark Wahlberg for Jim. — Bill Simmons
- Wahlberg was unavailable while making The Fighter. — Bill Simmons
- Casey Affleck suggested Jeremy Renner after working with him. — Bill Simmons
- Renner had completed The Hurt Locker before The Town’s release.
1:27:45
Half-Assed Internet Research
The Melrose bank location, prison filming, and the disputed Charlestown bank-robbery statistics
The Melrose bank location, prison filming, and the disputed Charlestown bank-robbery statistics
In the discussion (6)
Approx. transcript time · 01:27:45Read transcript
- A former MassBank branch in Melrose was used for the opening robbery. — Bill Simmons
- The Chris Cooper scene was filmed at MCI Cedar Junction, reportedly a first for the prison. — Bill Simmons
- The trailer claimed more than 300 annual bank robberies centered in Charlestown. — Bill Simmons
- Contemporary Massachusetts robbery statistics were much lower. — Bill Simmons
- Charlestown residents objected to the portrayal. — Bill Simmons
- The source book was set in the mid-1990s, when the reputation fit better. — Bill Simmons
1:33:37
Picking Nits
Chris’s DWI timing, heist disclosure, sibling casting, Claire, voices, uniforms, hockey, and rink funding produce dis...
Chris’s DWI timing, heist disclosure, sibling casting, Claire, voices, uniforms, hockey, and rink funding produce distinct nitpicks.
In the discussion (8)
Approx. transcript time · 01:33:37Read transcript
- 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. — Bill Simmons
- Renner and Lively’s physical mismatch as siblings is questioned. — Bill Simmons
- Jim not killing Claire is questioned.
- Claire’s exposure to the investigation should make her a larger police target. — Bill Simmons
- 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.
1:42:43
Probably Unanswerable Questions
Uniforms, the rink, Shine’s future, Fenway cash, role swaps, and Doug’s hockey ability
Uniforms, the rink, Shine’s future, Fenway cash, role swaps, and Doug’s hockey ability
In the discussion (8)
Approx. transcript time · 01:42:43Read transcript
- Where did the gang get all the official uniforms?
- How did Claire establish the rink with stolen money? — Bill Simmons
- 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? — Bill Simmons
- How good at hockey was Doug? — Bill Simmons
- Would a local Bruins draft pick be too recognizable to become a bank robber?