Director: Zach Braff
Writer: Theodore Melfi (Screenplay) Edward Cannon (Story)
Starring: Michael Caine, Alan Arkin, Morgan Freeman, Matt Dillon, Joey King, Christopher Lloyd, Ann-Margret
Plot: Desperate to pay the bills and come through for their loved ones, three lifelong pals risk it all by embarking on a daring bid to knock off the very bank that absconded with their money.
Tagline – You’re never too old to get even.
Runtime: 1 Hour 36 Minutes
There may be spoilers in the rest of the review
Verdict: Delightful Comedy
Story: Going in Style starts when Joe (Caine) learns his mortgage payments have trebled, forcing him to talk to confront the bank, this sees him witness a bank robbery, to make matters worse his best friends Albert (Arkin) and Willie (Freeman) are all going to lose their pensions.
Facing a future with no money, the three decide to rob a bank only to get enough to cover what they would be owned and not super rich, which leads them to head down a path meeting the criminals of the world as they try to solve their own problems.
Thoughts on Going in Style
Characters – Joe Harding has worked his whole life, he has his own home where he lets his struggling daughter and granddaughter live to help with their job and education, this becomes difficult when he learns that he might lose his home after a mortgage hike. He sees a bank robbery happen and decides it is the best option for the friends to get the money they are about to lose. Willie is about to lose his pension, he is sick and needs a transplant, he wants nothing more than to be able to spend time with his family, who are on the other side of the country. Albert is the reluctant member of the friends, but once he learns about where his pension is going he jumps at the chance to get even. We do meet the family they are working to help, though the film never creates a human villain, it is the idea of the bank being the villain.
Performances – Michael Caine is always a man that can lead a heist movie, this is no different has is smooth delivery gets to poke fun, while remaining strong through the film, Morgan Freeman and Alan Arkin continue the old man humor which Arkin is has made himself the star of this genre.
Story – The story follows three elderly men that decide to rob the bank that has been taking the money they haven’t earnt fairly in life. We get to see how a heist is planned out, with the comedy coming from just how the speed element is going to be more difficult for anyone of their age. We see them turning to the life of crime for a good reason and only going after what they need to survive. Having them being honest men who had never thought of turning to crime makes the story stand out too because we can support their actions through the film. This may not be the most original or realistic, but it does entertain.
Comedy/Crime – The comedy is mostly a mix of old man humor which surrounds the different actions the three must go through, it works and will get the required laugh. The crime side of the film follows how the robbery is planned and just how they aim to get it done without hurting anyone or getting caught.
Settings – The film is set in Brooklyn, the bridge shows us that these men have lived through the rise of the area, a place that they call home.
Scene of the Movie – The alibi.
That Moment That Annoyed Me – The cops are made to be dumb.
Final Thoughts – This is an entertaining crime comedy that has a strong cast that know they are having fun as the film unfolds.
Overall: Enjoyable Crime Comedy.
Rating
