Several personalities come together in The Town. The film focuses on Ben Affleck’s Doug MacRay as his crew performs robberies around Boston. They meet other characters outside of the crew like Rebecca Hall’s Claire Keesey. The people audiences meet present their intelligence in with their actions.
The Town is heralded by many as one of the greatest heist movies ever made. The plot stems from these robberies, and some characters show their smarts during these thrilling sequences. Others present their wits in the other actions of the film.
Krista “Kris” Coughlin
Kris is Doug’s ex-girlfriend. Blake Lively plays Kris, in one of her highest-rated roles. She presents her intelligence in the actions she takes. Her foolishness is on display several times throughout the movie. When Agent Frawley talks to her at a local bar, she fails to see through his ruse.
Kris shows her lack of emotional intelligence through her outbursts in confrontations with Doug. She is too thick-headed to process his continual rejections. She lacks foresight, driving her car with her child when she is intoxicated, landing her in the hospital. Kris rarely presents intelligent moments.
Stephen “Big Mac” MacRay
Big Mac is Doug’s father, and audiences hear about the character more than they see him on screen. Big Mac gives Chris Cooper one of his highest-rated movies. Mac is introduced when he and Doug talk through a wall of glass in prison. He is less developed than many of the characters in The Town, but fans learn his intelligence from his actions.
When Big Mac talks to Doug, he shows his lack of emotional intelligence with his unfeeling attitude and inability to understand Doug’s concerns. Furthermore, he foolishly crosses the powerful florist, resulting in the destruction of his family.
Albert “Gloansy” MacGloan
Slaine’s Gloansy is one of the members of Doug’s crew. He is a supporting character. However, he presents his smarts a few times. When he is interrogated by the police, he showcases his lack of education. When asked to read lines fed by the police, he tells them he is trying to make them sound “authenticious,” searching for the word “authentic.”
He presents various skills, like excellent driving, which require certain smarts. He also comes up with the final plan to save Doug during the Fenway Park robbery. He creates a distraction driving an ambulance van while Doug and Jem slip out of a side door in police uniforms. However, his smart moments are sporadic.
James “Jem” Coughlin
Jeremy Renner’s Jem is one of Doug’s good friends. He shows his lack of emotional intelligence in his violent outbursts and short temper. However, he also highlights his smarts in several actions. He helps plan the heists and presents his quick thinking in their operation.
Jem isn’t the most likable character in The Town. However, he shows intelligence in some of his devious behavior. After the first robbery, he shows foresight and wants to be certain of no eye witness, knowing they have the potential to land him in prison.
Claire Keesey
Claire is Doug’s love interest, played by Rebecca Hall. She’s introduced after bearing witness to the first robbery at her job as the bank’s assistant manager. She is pleasant but shows her lack of smarts in her naivité.
She trusts Doug blindly, unable to figure out he is involved in the robbery until FBI Special Agent Adam Frawley reveals his identity to her. However, she shows her emotional intelligence when she stands up to Doug after learning the truth.
Fergus “Fergie” Colm
Pete Postlethwaite’s Fergie is a powerful member of the Irish mob. Also known as “the florist,” he organizes jobs for Doug and his crew. His personality is showcased most clearly in his confrontation with Doug after he tries to back out of the Fenway Park robbery.
Fergie speaks eloquently when he threatens Doug. He uses intimidation and says just the right things to scare Doug into working his job and succeeds in the process. He gives the added detail of sending a funeral arrangement to him, underscoring his critical thinking. However, his arrogance clouds his mind from preparing for Doug’s revenge which leads to his death.
FBI Special Agent Adam Frawley
Agent Frawley is head of the investigation of Doug’s crew. Jon Hamm plays the character, and his smarts are showcased in his pursuit of Doug. He tricks Kris into giving him information at the bar, after telling her he works for the FBI knowing she’ll think he’s joking.
He is able to put together clues and uncover the Fenway Park robbery, taking down nearly every member of the team in the process. However, he isn’t smart enough to outthink Doug’s final plan of escape.
Douglas “Doug” MacRay
Ben Affleck’s Doug is the protagonist and reveals himself to be one of the movie’s smartest characters. He presents his lack of emotional intelligence in his outbursts with Kris, Jem, and Fergie. However, he shows his intelligence in his calculated robberies.
Doug is spotlit as one of The Town‘s brightest characters at the end of his arc. He manages to outsmart Frawley and the FBI and make his escape from Boston. He thinks ahead and manages to send Claire some of his money. Furthermore, he smartly leaves the clue of a Tangerine to signal where he will be in Florida, so Claire can come to see him, with the FBI none the wiser.
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