House Republicans used a scene from Ben Affleck's bank robber flick, The Town, on Tuesday to rally support for Speaker John Boehner's debt ceiling plan. Responding to the unexpected use of his film, Affleck told the Huffington Post that he was perplexed by the randomness of the scenario.

In a conference meeting, House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy showed a scene from The Town in which Doug MacRay, a criminal played by Affleck, asks for his friend's help in a revenge mission. "I need your help. I can’t tell you what it is. You can never ask me about it later," MacRay pleads. “Whose car are we gonna take,” his friend responds with tough-guy swagger. Even stranger, the gimmick actually worked – at least partially. Once the clip was over, Rep. Allen West, formerly one of the most outspoken critics among the Republican freshmen, stood up to say, "I'm ready to drive the car," voicing his support for the plan.

Recommending one of his films – about middle-aged men who get laid off during the recession – as a more topical choice for this conversation, Affleck expressed his confusion about McCarthy's choice. "I don't know if this is a compliment or the ultimate repudiation," said Affleck, who directed and co-wrote The Town. "But if they're going to be watching movies, I think The Company Men is more appropriate."

Read more about:
UInterview

Article by UInterview

Leave a comment

Subscribe to the uInterview newsletter