Now that “The Town” has just joined Max's catalog, we're back to one of the robbery scenes inspired by a true story.
The 2010 film The Town directed by Ben Affleck has built a good reputation among heist films over the years. It is full of intense moments and precisely in its heist scenes.
However, one of the most interesting anecdotes surrounding the film is hidden at the 56th minute. Ben Affleck, director and lead actor, was inspired by a true story that he learned about while preparing the film. This story was told to him by a prisoner he met in a Massachusetts prison, a man convicted of armed robbery. He related this anecdote during an interview with Entertainment Weekly for the film's 10th anniversary.
A moment of truth
Ben Affleck, seeking to make his film as authentic as possible, spoke with this prisoner for two hours. At the end of their conversation, he asked him if there was a particularly significant moment in his criminal career. The prisoner, after reflection, recounted an improbable scene:
“I remember one time we robbed a truck, got back in the car, pulled up to the signal box, got out still wearing masks, and saw a lazy cop on duty at a construction site. We stopped, looked at him; he looked at us, took a minute, and drove off in the other direction.“This story immediately fascinated Ben Affleck, who knew he had to incorporate this moment of absurdity into his film.
Max Screenshot
This moment is represented at 56 minutes in The Town, where Doug MacRay, played by Ben Affleck, and his gang have just escaped the police after a robbery and a hellish chase. After changing vehicles, they arrive at their destination, still with their masks on their heads. On the sidewalk opposite, a policeman in his car sees them. A brief moment of hesitation sets in on both sides of the street, then the policeman turns his head to the other side. The robbers then leave, again in another vehicle.
While one might think this scene was exaggerated, it is indeed inspired by reality.
The Town is currently available on Max.