The Instigators

Directed by Doug Liman, The Instigators follows a pair of inept criminals (Matt Damon’s Rory and Casey Affleck’s Cobby) as they find themselves caught up in an increasingly larger-than-life attempt to steal money from the mayor (Ron Perlman’s Mayor Miccelli). It’s familiar, fun subject matter that’s employed to persistently watchable (if entirely forgettable) effect by Liman, as the filmmaker, armed with a script by Affleck and Chuck MacLean, delivers a briskly-paced comedy thriller that benefits substantially from the often irresistible efforts of its two stars – with Damon and Affleck turning in thoroughly charming work that’s heightened by their palpable chemistry together. (It’s clear, too, that Liman does a terrific job of eliciting first-class performances from an eclectic supporting cast, with Michael Stuhlbarg’s scene-stealing appearance as a brash mobster standing as a continuing highlight within the proceedings.) And while the narrative has been packed with fun detours and memorable asides (eg Rory and Cobby attempt to determine if there’s a guard inside an armored truck), The Instigators is never able to become as wholeheartedly entertaining and engaging as one might’ve initially anticipated – which ultimately does confirm the picture’s place as a decent-enough diversion that boasts, at least, terrific work from its leads.

**1/2 out of ****