Anyhoo, this whole shindig is a light hearted thing so to sum it up, the Bad Medicine title should really be saying Bad Times. However, since I cannot for the life of me think of an artist who wrote a song called 'Bad Times', Bad Medicine has to do. I'm pretty down right now. And it's cause Blogspot deleted my last post. It was on the first season of Mad Men and it was splendid shit. I was nearly done. Then it disappeared......I mourned its loss. Then realised I could do better. So tomorrow, since its going to be a long blog, I will re-write it. And there you have it, the brief story of my failed blog. Now down to brass tax gentlemen. And ladies.
Within the last hour, I've literally just finished watching the new Ben Affleck-directed "The Town". You know what time it is! Time to review that shit!! *applause from my humble minions*
In the last five years, Affleck has been taking cinema by storm. In all seriousness, he's a force to be reckoned with and he's doing it in spectacular fashion. Ever see his debut "Gone Baby Gone" back in 2007? Independant production, starred his younger brother Casey and involved a very controversial story of child abduction....Yes, very touchy themes. Very adult themes. But it was executed properly. It was motivating, it was emotional, it was dramatic, it was powerful.....There's ways in which to make films and Affleck takes an otherwise conventional story and turns it on its head. You have to watch his films to understand my point but believe me, his main attribute is story and characters. And nothing else. You want a good film? Invest in the characters. You can never go wrong. Whilst "Gone Baby Gone" was fantastic, there were a few downsides most of them stemming from his lack of skill behind the camera. Nonetheless, it was a bold effort that raised eyebrows amongst the industry as to what to expect from him next and this brings us back to "The Town".
Set once again in his native Boston, "The Town" embraces a typical narrative yet Affleck electrifies it with character developement and an emtional story at its core. Not only do you like these characters, you want them to survive the dangers they face despite their criminal outlooks. Enter Jon Hamm, star of TV's Mad Men (Check my other blog posting), playing the FBI Agent on the prowl to take Affleck's crew down. Once again, all very familiar. FBI Agent tracking a group of robbers. Hamm's character is unusual. He doesn't behave like a real agent. He's aggressive, an authoritarian but expresses techniques to catch them that aren't exactly by the book. You don't like his character. So you shouldn't. You're not in any way aligned with him; it's all about Affleck and Renner. You spend time with them and there the good guys. It's spectacular stuff; an great piece of ensemble acting and yet its amazing how often this fails in the movies. With the right cast, you've got the right film.
Technically, Affleck chooses a traditional use of camerawork with continuity editing, 180 degree line rules and shot types to connote a character's feelings. There isn't much to see in his camerawork; its all very conventional. But let that not subtract you from the story. The camera is your eye into their world. Its important that it stays simple.
I doubt this film will get the awards buzz that Affleck's previous effort received or even the heights he hit with "Good Will Hunting" but it is once again a solid addition to his aspiring directing career. Its much more accomplished than "Gone Baby Gone" and as a result, I look forward to his future releases.
One of the best of 2010. Thoroughly enjoyable and well worth the watch. A fabulous 4 out of 5 film. Please take the time to watch it!
Peace out!
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