The instigators: a fun ride beside Matt Damon and Casey Affleck
Doug Liman's latest film The Instigators chronicles the tale of Rory (Matt Damon), a despondent former Marine, and Cobby (Casey Affleck), a drunk former criminal, who are thrown into a poorly thought out Boston mayoral robbery on election night. Their attempt at a big theft swiftly turns into anarchy, sending them running and into unanticipated results.
A Messy but Fascinating Narrative
Though not a huge heist movie as first expected, The Instigators is a gripping story that captures the turbulent character of its heroes. For a tale about two first-time criminals, Affleck and Chuck Maclean's writing is interesting and shockingly strong. Although the movie mostly concentrates on the relationship between Rory and Cobby, a great supporting cast helps to give the developing events complexity and depth.
The Institigators Battle Tone.
The Instigators excels when it explores Rory's mental health issues among the chaos of the failed robbery. Among the best parts in the movie are those where Rory negotiates Cobby's antics with his therapist, Dr. Donna Rivera (Hong Chau). The spectator is left wanting more by the interesting and off-kilter interplay among these three people.
Still, these sequences make only a small portion of the movie. With a corrupt mayor, a mafia leader trying to save the situation, and threatening underlings, the surviving story tries to show a grim crime drama. Although the Instigators wants to copy Guy Ritchie's crime dramas' approach, it fails to produce either parody or authenticity. The outcome is a rather inconsistent tone, trying to ground itself between drama, comedy, and action.
Matt Damon and Casey Affleck Give Excellent Performances
The Instigators has excellent performances from its major actors, Matt Damon and Casey Affleck, albeit tonal discrepancies. Damon plays the stern straight man to Affleck's loud and often disruptive persona, and their comic connection is indisputable. Cobby's constant attempt to make Rory laugh runs across as a recurring gag.
The pair's chemistry excels in the more dramatic parts as well. The scenes are more intriguing than the more complex action sequences when Rory and Cobby open to one another and expose their prior events. The drama and comedy are much enhanced by Dr. Rivera's presence, which gives these exchanges complexity and depth.
a strong supporting cast
Though they spend less screen time, the supporting actors in The Instigators produce quite remarkable performances. As Mayor Miccelli, Ron Perlman shines capturing the dishonest politician with a commanding presence and a tinge of threat. Notable among the crime bosses and right-hand men are Michael Stuhlbarg and Alfred Molina. Playing his characteristically intense part, Ving Rhames completes the ensemble. Though they have little on screen time, Paul Walter Hauser and Jack Harlow maximize their brief parts.
Worth a Look for Damon and Affleck Fans
For fans of Matt Damon and Casey Affleck, The Instigators is an enjoyable and amusing movie even if it isn't a breakthrough. Their great performances and explosive chemistry help the movie to surpass its tonal irregularities. Even if the movie might not be a must-see theater release, it is most definitely worth seeing when it shows out on Apple TV+.
The Instigators launches for a limited theatrical release on August 2nd then streams on Apple TV+ on August 9th. Its rating for pervasive language and some violence is R.
