The Instigators (2024) Review!!

Synopsis – Follows two robbers who must go on the run with the help of one of their therapists after a theft doesn’t go as planned.

My Take – While it looks like at this point Matt Damon and Casey Affleck won’t be reuniting for another Ocean’s installment, considering a new sequel/prequel is being developed with ‘Barbie’ leads Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, Apple TV+ has delivered a new opportunity for fans (like myself) to at least have a good time watching the duo in another Heist caper, with much lower stakes, but much more hilarity.

Directed by Doug Liman (Road House, The Bourne Identity), this is one of those films where everything that could go wrong for the protagonists, does go wrong. And in response I found myself chuckling at the ineptitude and misfortune of the main characters, and willing them on to achieve their goal.

Much of the charm of the breezy crime caper rests almost entirely on the mostly untapped chemistry between the two (despite sharing screen in 2002’s mostly unwatched Gerry) and thankfully they are very much on their game.

Yes, it’s not a brilliant film but is also not that predictable as you suppose it would be. It has all the elements to create a fine heist comedy with two Imbeciles, but it stays in the level of harmless fun without evolving into something more. Delivering as a couple of hours of escapism, and managing to be satisfyingly competent as you could hope for.

Set in Boston, the story follows two down-on-their-luck men who aren’t strangers to crime. On one hand we have Rory (Matt Damon), a former Marine mechanic, who needs exactly $32,480 to reboot his life by paying of child support, alimony, mortgage, etc., so that he can reconnect with his teenage son and watch him play hockey. But at this time, his therapist, Dr. Donna Rivera (Hong Chau) is his only supporter, urging him into trying everything before giving up.

On the other hand we have Cobby (Casey Affleck), an alcoholic ex-con who doesn’t really seem to have any goals in life other than cracking jokes (and drinking). So when a job comes up the two are contacted by Scalvo (Jack Harlow), who’s in trouble with his mafia bosses, Mr. Besegai (Michael Stuhlbarg) and Richie Dechico (Alfred Molina), and needs some help pulling off a heist for them.

They are told that the heist involves infiltrating the office of corrupt incumbent Mayor Miccelli (Ron Perlman) on election night and the robbing of all the undisclosed cash donations he’s been receiving during his reelection campaign. However, what sounds like an easy task quickly turns into a series of mistakes and problems that send both Rory and Cobby on the run through the city with no real plans to escape their dilemma.

At one point they are even joined by Donna as they dodge the likes of Booch (Paul Walter Hauser), a goon sent by Dechico, and Frank Toomey (Ving Rhames), the mayor’s much feared personal enforcer.

Under Doug Liman’s direction the film proves that with good execution, even the simplest formula that includes two charismatic leads, a chaotic plot, and plenty of laughs can add up to an entertaining caper comedy. Here, by appropriately racing through the heist plot, director Liman leaves the most fun for the fallout, particularly as his two leads engage in sharing peppy chemistry and believable snark.

It helps that the script co-written by Chuck MacLean (City on a Hill) and Casey Affleck, is filled with well-timed one-liners that make every scene, even the ones wherein very little is happening, quite a pleasure. Structured as a buddy-comedy, part-heist thriller, part-action film, the film in total ends up being none of these things in their entirety. Yet what’s remarkable, in fact, is that it’s so middle-of-the-road that it’s actually very satisfying.

Agreed, director Doug Liman brings a certain discount Steven Soderbergh energy to the action, with the chase scene in the 3rd act being a definite highlight. But it must be said that there’s never enough tension built up to matter as each new temporary safe house or villain is just an excuse for more quips.

That’s the charm of the whole setup. It’s a laidback caper that doesn’t take itself very seriously, is just designed to entertain and is content to coast along on its stars’ chemistry and be a generally good time.

Performance wise, Matt Damon brings some gravitas to his role, and Casey Affleck counterbalances it with his deadpan humor. Affleck and Damon are longtime friends, and you can tell. Its fun to watch them bicker and stew and drive each other a bit crazy.

Together, they are a delight to watch, in supporting roles, Hong Chau’s deadpan, incredulous shrink managed to be a lot of fun, while Ron Perlman steals every single one of his scenes as the slimy mayor.

In smaller roles, Michael Stuhlbarg, Alfred Molina, Jack Harlow, Toby Jones, Paul Walter Hauser and Ving Rhames contribute in their own ways. On the whole, ‘The Instigators‘ is an enjoyable crime caper highly elevated by its great cast.