A couple of unqualified “bums from Quincy” end up in big trouble for attempting to rob Boston’s corrupt mayor on the night of an election that goes horribly wrong. With Matt Damon and Casey Affleck, The Instigators boasts a star-studded ensemble taking us through an amusingly hapless descent into chaos. In a breezy comedy full of absurdity, comedy ensues early and lasts throughout. The film starts well with some fairly clever opening acts but loses narrative steam towards the end when it starts struggling to find the right conclusion. But this is not your usual movie deal breaker as The Instigators maintains its sense of humor all through due to lovable main characters and running gags.
Rory (Damon), a recently divorced ex-Marine, confides his troubles in Dr. Rivera (Hong Chau) who is sympathetic toward his pain He has huge debts and has hardly seen his son since then. Nonetheless at Bova’s Bakery, Mr.B (Michael Stuhlbarg) an owner of a gangster company expresses his extreme dissatisfaction over lackeys Scalvo (Jack Harlow) and Richie (Alfred Molina) who were unable to recruit crew on time for him. He’s got the easiest score of a lifetime and needs to find help fast.
Cobby (Casey Affleck), fresh out on parole, sits broke in his foster dad’s bar with no plans whatsoever. He knows he hates Scalvo but decides he can answer his call. Rory waits there too as Cobby discovers upon entering a dilapidated beach club: Who is this guy? What is he doing here? Cobby curses Scalvo on sight while ever-angry Mr.B will have none of that bullshit; they could amass a fortune if only they can get this plan together quickly enough.
A doppelganger completes Ron Perlman’s Mayor Miccelli who will win another term with ease. Then at the wharf, his victory party will take place. Mr. B knows that all those seeking Mayor’s favour will be bringing untraceable cash in bags. It is simply a matter of walking into the room to hold-up some people and then walk away with money bags. What could possibly go wrong?
Director Doug Liman (Swingers, Amazon’s Road House) reunites with Damon from The Bourne Identity but Rory is nothing like a top secret agent. He was a marine mechanic and had never engaged in any illegal activities before this time. Cobby does have a little experience with crime but he isn’t exactly an old school crook either. As the clock is ticking, they are literally only people around when you need them for a job.
Rory and Cobby find themselves strangers who must rely on one another while being thrust into danger. Neither one thinks twice about how easy it might be to pull off such heist; however, nobody could have anticipated what went wrong afterwards. That would be putting it mildly to say things played out as badly as they did.
Damon and Affleck are still great together and their performances are truly hilarious given their persona Still, Rory and Cobby aren’t total idiots They know that if they get caught, there won’t be any second chances for them street smart enough not to get caught means death for them The best parts of the film come from them staying ahead of their relentless pursuers Perlman and Stuhlbarg also nearly steal the show with their unfettered rage If Rory and Cobby escape justice, Perlman has everything to lose Molina’s character also stands out because of his ridiculous calmness The highlight of his part is a regular delivery of bad news getting progressively worse
The second act of Affleck and Chuck Maclean’s script (City on a Hill) is bumpy as it tries to tie up the loose ends. Rory and Cobby cannot run forever before something else should happen. Unfortunately, it is just that the narrative depends on preposterous choices and absurd situations to reach its incomprehensible climax.
The point of The Instigators isn’t precise plotting or crazy action scenes; if anything, these are more like excuses for what happens next. Damon, Affleck, along with an awesome support ensemble cast that provides comedic effect. This is not a boring movie in any way. With unforgettable characters that linger in your mind long after the film ends, it holds interest. Stick around till after credits roll past you!
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