Our JP has his take on the teaming of Matt Damon and Casey Affleck for the Apple TV+ film, “The Instigators.”
THE INSTIGATORS
(Apple TV+ / Apple Original Films / Artists Equity)
- Directed by Doug Liman
- Written by Chuck Maclean, Casey Affleck
- Produced by Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Jeff Robinov, John Graham, Kevin J. Walsh
- Starring Matt Damon, Casey Affleck, Hong Chau, Michael Stuhlbarg, Paul Walter Hauser, Ving Rhames, Alfred Molina, Toby Jones, Jack Harlow, Ron Perlman
Studio Synopsis:
Rory (Matt Damon) and Cobby (Casey Affleck) are reluctant partners: a desperate father and an ex-con thrown together to rob a corrupt politician’s ill-gained earnings. But when the heist goes wrong, the two find themselves engulfed in a whirlwind of chaos, pursued not only by police but also by backward bureaucrats and vengeful crime bosses. Completely out of their depth, they convince Rory’s therapist (Hong Chau) to join their riotous getaway through the city, where they must put aside their differences and work together to evade capture — or worse.
J.P.’s Take:
There are buddy-cop films, then there is the rare breed of buddy-caper films. “The Instigators” is that unconventional crime comedy that pairs Casey Affleck and Matt Damon as two inept wannabe criminals, who stir up a hornet’s nest of trouble … with somewhat anti-climactic results.
Yet, there is something slightly – for lack of a better word – endearing about a quirky buddy-crook film that follows an everyday guy just trying to make ends meet. We meet Rory (Matt Damon), a depressed ex-soldier, who wants to make amends with his estranged son. He hasn’t been able to pay child support for quite some time, so he turns to a life of crime, with his partner, the wisecracking Cobby (Casey Affleck). Cobby’s flippant attitude reveals some underlying issues stemming from his childhood.
When they team up with the knuckleheaded Scalvo (Jack Harlow) for a heist to rob Mayor Miccelli (Ron Pearlman), things go sideways. Now Rory and Cobby are left holding the bag, so to speak, and they become Boston’s most wanted. We, the viewers, have a good laugh at their pain and suffering in the process, even if it’s an understated one.
Part of this film’s charm is its attention to Boston roots. It plays up the stereotypical bravado of its male characters, while its smart-mouthed demeanor grants us subversive comical moments. On the other hand, some inside jokes become esoteric to the point where they fly over your head. The lingo, outfits, and other idioms are indicative of the environment from which they are spawned. Not to worry, the plot won’t leave you in the dust. Director Doug Liman (“The Bourne Identity,” “Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” 2024’s “Road House”) is known for creating encapsulating atmospheres that focus on quirky yet likable characters and subject matter. It’s written by Chuck Maclean (TV’s “City on a Hill”) and co-written by Casey Affleck, who concocts an idiosyncratic script as if the characters know they’re playing up Boston stereotypes for chuckles.
I must admit I was absorbed in the harebrained schemes of Rory and Cobby. Matt Damon embodies an agreeable, depressive Rory, who gets in over his head in the criminal world. Casey Affleck pours on the chatterbox Cobby with authenticity.
The cast, who is along for the ride, include Michael Stuhlbarg as crime boss Mr. Besegai, Alfred Molina as Richie Dechico, Harlow as Scalvo, and Paul Walter Hauser as Booch. Adding to the off-center caper is Ving Rhames as bull-headed and corrupt Boston chief of police Frank Toomey, while Pearlman plays the “Trump-like” Mayor Miccelli.
Rounding out the rest of the cast list is Toby Jones as Alan Flynn, the loyal assistant to Mayor Miccelli; Andre De Shields as the father figure to Cobby, Mr. Kelly; Hong Chau is Rory’s devoted psychologist Dr. Donna Rivera; and Toby Onwumere is John Wayne. Making an appearance as himself is Rob Gronkowski.
“The Instigators,” which had a limited theatrical release in the United States on August 2, 2024, before making its streaming debut on Apple TV+, will have you going from moment to moment, especially when you’re scratching your head as to how Rory and Cobby will make their great escape. Yet, it starts to lose momentum towards the end, and I am uncertain if the payoff justifies the journey. Then again, this is one of those off-the-wall capers that you may have to watch a couple of times to digest the subject.
Official Site: The Instigators
