Matt Damon and Casey Affleck are born and bred Bostonians. It’s where they grew up, lived together and then starred in their breakout hit (for which Damon won an Oscar with his co-writer, that other Affleck – and Casey’s older brother – Ben). But when Damon and Affleck returned to Boston to shoot their new film , the reaction from locals was less starstruck and more nonplussed.
“It’s right in the neighbourhood, so you might as well,” shrugged one woman, who told local news site she was a “little bit” of a Damon fan as she waited to watch filming. Another complained, “What a mess. Freakin’ Boston, you guys.
” Seems they’re not so much hometown heroes as just inconveniently in the way. “Boston has its own tall poppy syndrome, like Australia, you know, it’s the same thing,” says Damon, laughing. “Look, it’s a very blue-collar town.
It’s like, don’t get too big for your britches, you know, stay humble. Don’t start thinking you’re better than anybody. That’s very baked into the culture and who we are.
You know [and here he slips into a peak Boston accent], ‘You’re not better than me.’ That’s a very Boston thing.” Affleck: “Matt, you were saying [Chris] Hemsworth has gotten too big for his britches.
” Damon: “Definitely. You gotta cut him down.” The pair, who I am talking to over Zoom, are sitting next to each other in director’s chairs, Affleck wearing a cap and slightly slumped, while Damon leans forward, always eage.