A pair of unqualified “bums from Quincy” get in big trouble after the spectacularly botched robbery of Boston’s corrupt mayor on election night.The InstigatorshasMatt Damon and Casey Affleckleading a star-studded cast down a rabbit hole of laugh-out-loud, bungling ineptitude. Hijinks ensue from the start and never let up ina breezy comedy that embraces absurdity. A fairly clever opening act admittedly loses narrative steamas the film struggles to find a cohesive conclusion. That’s normally a cinematic deal-breaker, butThe Instigators’likable leads and consistent gags keep the humor flowing throughout.
Rory (Damon), an ex-Marine going through a bitter divorce, expresses his sorrows to the caring Dr. Rivera (Hong Chau). He’s saddled with debt and hasn’t seen his son in ages. Meanwhile, at Bova’s Bakery, the gangster owner, Mr. B (Michael Stuhlbarg), expresses his extreme displeasure at lackeys Scalvo (Jack Harlow) and Richie (Alfred Molina) for not finding a crew in time.He’s got the easiest score of a lifetime and needs to find help fast.
The recently paroled Cobby (Casey Affleck) sits in his adopted father’s bar, broke and aimless. He’s got a bone to pick with Scalvo, but decides to take his call. Cobby’s surprised to find Rory also waiting at a derelict beach club. Who is this guy? What’s he doing here? Cobby curses Scalvo on sight, but the always angry Mr. B won’t have any nonsense. There’s a fortune to be stolen if they can get the plan together fast.
Matt Damon & Casey Affleck Go on the Run
The Instigators
Rory and Cobby are unlikely partners thrown together for a heist. However, when it goes awry, they team up to outrun police, backward bureaucrats, and a vengeful crime boss.
Mayor Miccelli (Ron Perlman) is a shoo-in to win another term. His victory party will be held at the wharf. Mr. B knows that everyone who wants the mayor’s favor will be dropping off wads of untraceable cash. All they have to do is walk in, stick-up a few people, and leave with bags of money. What could possibly go wrong?
Director Doug Liman (Swingers, Amazon’sRoad House) reunites with Damon fromThe Bourne Identity, but Rory is the farthest thing from an elite secret agent. He was a mechanic in the Marines and had never done anything illegal in his life. Cobby has a smidgen of nefarious experience, but also isn’t a hardcore criminal. They’re literally the only guys available for the job with the clock ticking.
Rory and Cobby are thrust together as complete strangers who must depend on each other in a potentially dangerous situation. Neither are under the illusion the heist will be a cakewalk, but they could never have foreseen the debacle that follows. To say the worst case scenario happens is a vast understatement.
Damon and Affleck haven’t lost a step and have hilarious chemistry playing against type. That said, Rory and Cobby aren’t totally clueless. They’re street smart enough to know getting caught is a death sentence. The film’s best bits come from them staying one step ahead of their dogged pursuers.Perlman and Stuhlbarg nearly steal the show with their unmitigated fury. They’ve got everything to lose if Rory and Cobby aren’t caught. The supremely talented Molina also stands out by being laughably calm. His steady delivery of escalating bad news is a highlight.
Affleck and Chuck Maclean’s(City on a Hill) script hits second act bumps tying the loose threads together. Rory and Cobby can only run for so long before something else has to happen. Unfortunately, the narrative relies on ludicrous decisions and ridiculous situations to get to its head-scratching climax that makes no sense whatsoever.
The Instigatorscan be dissected to pieces, but the goal here isn’t an airtight plot or wild action scenes. Damon, Affleck, and the fantastic supporting ensemble are a laugh riot.The film never has a dull moment. It entertains with memorable characters that leave an impression. Stick around during the credits.
The Instigatorsis a production of Apple Studios, Artists Equity, Studio 8, and The Walsh Company. It will have a one-week theatrical run on August 2nd. Check out the trailer below:
