Now then, Ben Affleck...has a mixed reputation, shall we say, and the fact that he directs this as well as stars in it may be enough to put some people off.
The film is set in Charlestown, Boston and the main premise is that Charlestown has a long tradition of Irish-American criminality. Affleck is a bank robber, and the film begins with a heist. So far, so low-budget Heat.
Things that get you interested:
a) The gang take the bank manager hostage and then release her. One of the gang is all for doing her in (witness and so forth) but Affleck instead takes it upon himself to "keep an eye on her"...with predictable romantic developments. The inevitable tension between Sweetheart Affleck and Criminal Affleck is no surprise, but despite this the scenes in question are cleverly handled and leave you wondering exactly how this is going to play out.
b) Pete Postlethwaite in his last-but-one screen role. He's the mastermind of the operations, but as you come to realise the hold he's had over the gang - and their fathers before them - he emerges as a truly sinister figure. Memorable last scene too - the guy could act.
c) Jon Hamm - plays an FBI agent, smartly enough to let you believe that he can always get there first, right to the final scenes.
More a worth-a-watch than a must-see, but not a bad evening's entertainment.
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