 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Town
- Review Date: September 14, 2010
- R
- Genre: Drama
- 2010
Common Sense Media says
Strong, suspenseful, mature drama about a life of crime.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this gritty, tension-filled thriller directed by Ben Affleck about a crew of Boston bank robbers has plenty of excitement -- and plenty of graphic violence. The main characters are drawn into high-powered shoot-outs with the cops that leave several people dead or dying in pools of blood (two characters are shot in the head on screen). There are several bar scenes with a good bit of drinking, as well as near-constant swearing ("f--k" "s--t," and more). There are a few sex scenes, too, but, ultimately, it’s the realistic, intense violence that parents really need to watch out for.
What's the story?
Doug MacRay (Ben Affleck) leads a band of professional bank robbers that includes his childhood best friend, Jem (Jeremy Renner). It's all he knows after botching a future in pro hockey (thanks to drugs), and it's a life he treasures -- even though it has both nurtured and wrecked him. On one of their heists, the gang abducts a bank manager, Claire (Rebecca Hall), whom they let go once they're clear of the cops. But Jem's convinced that she'll get them in trouble, so Doug, sensing Jem's instability, decides to shadow her to see whether she'll become a liability. After getting to know her, Doug begins to entertain the possibility of starting over, perhaps with her -- a plan that Jem may not allow. Meanwhile, time is running out: An FBI agent (Jon Hamm) is nipping at their heels.
Is it any good?
With a deft hand, Affleck, who also directs, creates a fully rendered picture in THE TOWN of a man poised at a crossroads: Should he put the life he has lived thus far in, as he says, "the rear view," or commit to the path that has both nurtured and wrecked him? We sympathize with him despite the fact that he's essentially the bad guy -- even though he's not the baddest of the bunch. That "honor" falls to Jem, who frightens with his unpredictability and volatility, a cocktail that discomfits the audience thanks to Renner's enormous talent.
Most everyone, in fact, brings their A-game, from Hall to the bit players. (The gifted Hamm, however, surprisingly rates a B-plus; he's strong, but he doesn't seem as comfortable in this skin as he playing Mad Men's Don Draper.) So it's no wonder the disappointment that comes with the ending feels like a sucker punch: The last three minutes are too Hollywood, too Shawshank Redemption (without the originality), so far removed from the authentic Charlestown that Affleck has masterfully depicted during the 122 minutes that came before it. The wrap-up undercuts the fim -- though luckily, not entirely. What a statement The Town would have been had Affleck not given into the inclination for a tidy, bow-tied ending.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about "good guys" vs. "bad guys." Do you think someone who steals for a living should be portrayed as the “hero” of a movie? Do you think the criminals in this film come across as more competent than the cops?
Are there any obvious role models in this movie? What message do you think it's trying to send?
Do you think Doug MacRay is destined to become a bank robber like his father? How hard is it for him to escape this lifestyle?
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AGE
Intense, mature heist drama could have been better
Ben Affleck has proven that he knows what scenes to keep in an intense, powerful film. But what he hasn't proven is what to leave out. If a little fat had been trimmed from this film, it would have been an amazing heist movie. The acting was superb from almost everyone. The action is intense and well-directed; in fact, this film has some of the best heist scnees I have ever witnessed. But, it's the dialogue that makes the film seem less than it's worth. Don't get me wrong; a lot of the dialogue was well written and relevant to the story, but some could have been left out and no one would tell the difference. Parents: this film contains quite a bit of bloody violence, including two graphic head shots. The hostage situations are intense and long, and the aftermath shows police and robbers using lots of firepower to stop each other. There's also loads of f-bombs, plus other swears, some sexual content, and drug use. Bottom Line: Sophisticated, intense, and often graphic, this powerful heist film is worth your money, if you can make it through some unneeded dialogue scenes. Thanks for reading! - Movie Man
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AGE
only suitable for 16+ kids
I think this movie is very good and inspirational. I liked it but I don't think this movie is suitable for kids under 16 because it has too much violence, blood, sex, drugs and alochol use, and stong language. But I think this movie is suitable for kids 16+ because kids 16 and older are mature enough to watch movie like this. This movie is about 4 friends who are robbers and rob banks because they are forced to do it. They've been taught to rob since they were kids and if they don't follow orders from the boss then they are threatened to be killed. This movie is about love, violence, betrayal, friendship, sex, money, and power. I thought overall this movie was good and that's why I gave it 5 stars. But my suggestion is that this movie is very inappropriate and violent for kids under 16 to watch this movie.
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AGE
great action movie
this is a good movie lots of violence shooting lots of bad language no kids some nudity 16 and over
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AGE
No thank you.
I felt like I got dumber the longer I watched. Ridiculous premise. The "good" bank robber, being the charming romantic, and then also being the hero was mind numbing. There were some good car chases, but also some ridiculous ones. The gun battles with police were totally unrealistic. Pass on this one unless you are in for a laugh at Ben Affleck attempting some self worship.
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AGE
a great film i belive
This movie was very good possibly a great film i belive
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AGE
Great heist movie for adults
This is a really great heist movie for adults. The acting is well done. The plot moves along at a nice clip. It is on the gritty side. If you want to escape, this is a great movie for you.
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AGE
lots of language but really good action scenes
the grit of the film helps itself, but as for kids its a no. I would say that a mature 16 year old would be ok for this but it really depends on the teen.
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AGE
A hard-hitting action thriller that highlights the life of a criminal
The Town is a phenomenal film that both excites the audience and moves them. The acting is fantastic by all in the film- Ben Affleck, Jeremy Renner, Rebecca Hall, Blake Lively and Jon Hamm all stand out. The storyline is thrilling and the protagonist (a sort of antihero) makes you root for him despite the life of crime he leads. The role models in The Town are incredibly negative. They have all turned to drugs and crime in order to maintain their way of life. The main character, Doug (Affleck), is trying to get away from this life of crime but still robs banks and kidnaps people throughout the film. He is the 'nice guy' robber, pulling his psychotic best friend (Renner) off a bank manager he was beating to death, and protecting a witness of the crime from the rest of the group. As he falls in love with the bank manager (Hall) of a bank they robbed, Doug must evade a dogged FBI agent (Hamm) and keep his criminal life away from his new life with the bank manager. Doug is a good role model in some aspects because he values human life and is trying to find legal ways to live, outside of crime. He also goes to great lengths to protect the woman he loves from those who would hurt her. In conclusion, The Town is a great film with not-so-great role models and a heart-pounding storyline that keeps the audience on their toes. The violence and language is too extreme for younger kids, so this one is a gem for ages 15 and up.
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AGE
Great, amazing, a spectacle, and also very, very dark
This movie is the bomb! Although, it does contain scenes of violent killings, beatings, shootings, and a graphic scene in which the villain describes to the hero he drugged the hero's mother to stop the hero's father from leaving a gang, and how he threatens to do the same to the hero's lover if he tries to bail. This is a terrifically acted, written, and directed film, with dark action and peril, but a compelling and sympathetic cast of characters, The Town is a major thumbs up!
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AGE
The Town is a straight adrenaline rush. From the opening scene to the very end The Town will have you captivated and on the edge of your seat. The storyline keeps you hooked and the script is very well written. Affleck has put himself into Speilberg status with only two films under his belt. Affleck always has a stroy to tell in his films and the way he tells it is phenomenal. I recomend The Town to anyone who enjoys crime solving movies. The Town is certainly one of 2010's best films.
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| Studio: | Warner Bros. |
| Director: | Ben Affleck |
| Cast: | Ben Affleck, Jeremy Renner, Jon Hamm, Rebecca Hall |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 125 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | September 17, 2010 |
| DVD release date: | December 17, 2010 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | strong violence, pervasive language, some sexuality and drug use |
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