'The Instigators' review: Matt Damon and Casey Affleck stuck in lazy heist comedy
Courtesy of Apple TV+
On paper, seeing Doug Liman, director of “Edge of Tomorrow,” reteam with his “Bourne Identity” star Matt Damon opposite an insane cast that includes (deep breath), Casey Affleck (who co-wrote the script), Ron Perlman, Paul Walter Hauser, Alfred Molina, Michael Stuhlbarg, Jack Harlow, Toby Jones, and Hong Chau, should have been the easiest slam dunk of the summer. But alas, the new action-comedy entitled “The Instigators,” is a total wash, an uninspired, disjointed, buddy caper where not even the charisma of Damon can elevate the film.
Produced by Damon and Ben Affleck under their Artist Equity banner, “The Instigators,” follows two down-on-their luck blue collar workers Rory (Damon sporting that Bahston accent) and Cobbly (Affleck) as they embark on what was supposed to be an easy snatch and grab from a crooked mayoral candidate (Perlman). The job, of course, goes south pretty quick and sends the duo on a mad dash through the city of Boston trying to outrun local authorities, and a hired gun named Frank (Ving Rhames) whose mission is to intercept a bracelet the duo stumbled into that has major implications for the mayor’s shady business dealing.
Somewhere along the journey, Rory gets the bright idea to kidnap his therapist (Chau) to help patch up Cobbly after being shot, but the movie changes gears and ends up becoming about their dynamic and it loses sight of the plot, and, other characters (like Molina and Stuhlbarg) who show up in the beginning of the movie and then are never seen or heard from again. I guess when you have Apple money, you can lure respectable actors for throwaway roles.
None of the movie has any real stakes nor did I ever once feel compelled about the wobbly backstories pigeonholed into the movie regarding Cobbly and Rory (not to mention some truly questionable needle drops). It’s disappointing considering Liman’s solid filmography (including this year’s decent “Road House” remake). The only thing that ends up feeling stolen is the immense potential this movie and its cast possessed. When it lands on streaming, I can’t imagine it’ll make that much noise.
Grade: C-
THE INSTIGATORS debuts on Apple TV+ Friday, August 9th
Before we start we’ll take a look at what you need to be aware of before the hiring of an Janakpuri Call Girl. First, when you contact us to make an appointment with our girls for escorting, you won’t have to be concerned about whether she’s kind or if she’ll enjoy spending moments with you.