Rory and Cobby are unlikely partners thrown together for a heist. But when it goes awry, they team up to outrun police, backward bureaucrats, and a vengeful crime boss.
15 Aug The Instigators (2024)
Boston Underachievers
Here’s what I think happened.
These sorts of films are all about the characters, and some substantial part of that is either the skill of the actor, or whether the actor is more or less like the character. Willis, McQueen, Newman, Bogart, Wayne for example all did well when parts were written just for them as they are.
Damon/and Brother Affleck co-wrote Good Will Hunting, that I think was massively fixed by the filmmaker, but it worked because these guys could be close to who they really were, kids from the working class of Boston. Many of the successes Ben and Matt have had, are where they only slightly extend their identities, while filling the emotional notes the story requires. Casey has been left behind, at least on the A List.
So he writes his own script for himself as a homey from Quincy. He gets friends to support, as costars and filmmaker. Apple requires that it be punched up with car chases (two!), explosions (two), shootouts (two). Okay.
So the thing comes through as a buddy character piece, plus the ever-popular action comedy but not quite harmonised.
I will credit Damon, who like Clooney, will bend over backwards for fellow actors. That is a narrative layer on top and implicit, but it matters enough to me to think this had some interesting elements.
Can’t tell you why the thing is named as it is. That must be a legacy title that the movie shifted from.
Posted in 2024
Ted’s Evaluation — 2 of 3: Has some interesting elements.
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