The best part about this movie is seeing Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, and Alan Arkin all on screen together. They have fantastic chemistry, and you really feel like their characters have actually been friends for 30+ years. They just glow on screen, and seeing them riff on each other and have a good time made for me to have a good time as well. They all gave great performances. The supporting cast was also really good. It was fun to see Christopher Lloyd pop up in a film again. We also got see some good performances from Kenan Thompson and Ann-Margret. Look, with this movie, there are no revolutionary jokes. It's everything you would expect there to be. I do tend to prefer edgier comedy than this, but I made my peace with it the second the first joke hit. This isn't meant to be a Seth Rogen kind of comedy. This is supposed to just be a fun, light- hearted, feel-good comedy, and it was really good for what it was...
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themovieparadise11 April 2017
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kosmasp16 October 2017Let's hope not, for a long time. While it's not a perfect movie, the 3 leads are so charismatic, they carry anything the movie throws at them. Some things may bit coincidental and may feel too convenient, but again you won't be thinking about that while watching the movie. You know a couple of things just by watching the movie and you can almost guess the "twists" entirely.
That still doesn't take away too much of the fun you can have while watching it. Dialog is nice and they play into the generation thing (social media, wordplay and of course limitations of age). But all in a really respectful way and yet still funny. If you like to have a good old time (no pun intended), you could do worse -
bankofmarquis11 April 2017The new film, GOING IN STYLE, is the equivalent of eating a Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Tomato Soup on a cold, rainy Sunday afternoon - very familiar, very welcome and very comforting. It's not going to win any Academy Awards or change the course of movie history, but this film delivers - competently and professionally - what it promises to deliver with no fuss and no muss.
Starring film veterans Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman and Alan Arkin, GOING IN STYLE tells the story of how these three are pressed against the wall, financially, and their last resort is to rob a bank to get the money they need.
And...it's fun...not hilarious...not groundbreaking, but fun. Caine, Freeman and Arkin believably play 3 long time friends who are nearing the end. There is a comfort there with each other and it was pleasant to spend time with them. Joining them was the one and only Ann- Margret and the always fun Christopher Lloyd (in, hands down, the best performance and most interesting character in the film).
Notice, I've used the words comforting, pleasant and pleasing. I did NOT use the words groundbreaking, hilarious or epic. I certainly enjoyed myself and am glad I saw it.
And you will too, whether you see this film in the movie theater or run across it as you are lying on the couch some rainy Sunday afternoon.
Letter Grade: a solid "B"
7 (out of 10) stars and you can take that to the Bank (of Marquis) -
rgkarim7 April 2017The age of comedy has certainly changed over the years, transitioning from the classic slapstick to a simpler, straightforward approach that today's youth loves. Yet, every once in a while, the legends from the past return in an attempt to bring some whit back to the silver screen. Tonight, my friend and I head back into the trenches of the local theater to give some insight into Going in Style starring the legendary trio of Morgan Freeman, Alan Arkin, and Michael Caine. Let's get started!
LIKES: Classic comedy Good chemistry between actors Cute Nicely tied together story
Summary: If the intro didn't spoil it for you, Going in Style is true to its name, as the trio brings the classic comedy back into style. Fans of the slapstick of yore are going to bust a gut at this film as the timeless styles of the leads continue to shine bright. Caine and Freeman have comedic timing and delivery down, with clever lines craftily intertwined in the serious dialogue that put today's writing to shame. Arkin on the other hand is all about the banter and complaining, which for the most part is balanced and well-placed. The trio have great chemistry together, and sell that they are best friends who have faced the challenge called life. They sell the struggles and praise the joys, and do it with such class and minimizing the stupid, mindless banter famous today. And in addition to being funny, the lack of crude comedy also makes this movie cute. Watching older men trying to rob a bank, while also getting their lives in order makes for an adorable adventure as my friend commented. Of course, this reviewer likes a story to his comedy, and Going in Style gets this right too. It's a hardy story for most ages, and one that won't have the older audience members shaking their heads in shame. This may also surprise you, but there were a couple of twists that fooled me, which isn't easy in the comedy genre.
DISLIKES: Predictable Depressing at times Old jokes get a bit stale
Summary: With a simple story as this, it's not surprising that much of the story is predictable. Given the theme of the movie, you should be able to predict most of the ending, and certainly can guess where things are going to go wrong. Therefore, the uniqueness of this movie takes a hit in the story department. And no surprise, the comedy is also predictable and therefore loses the comedy edge they wanted to deliver at least to me. While the trailers do promote the more fun atmosphere of the movie, don't let it fool you that it is all happiness and rainbows (that's the Smurfs!). Going in style emphasizes the end of life generation, highlighting the less than glorious problems of getting older. There are parts that brought me down as they emphasized the sadder qualities of life. Thank goodness for the consistent comedy, because otherwise this could have been a much harder movie to watch. Of all the comedy this movie has in its folds, they certainly stuck with the old theme of this movie. Positives, there are plenty of quips and class to the punches they throw. Bad news, the quips get older than the actors delivering them. How many insults about difficulties getting up can you make, or metaphors for being poor and not having a check. It's good political awareness (nice work there writers), but it would have been nice for a little more variety to work its way into the vaudeville.
The VERDICT:
Going in Style is one of the classier, wittier comedies to end up in the theater this year. Both this reviewer and his friend, enjoyed the trade of simplistic one-liners and innuendos for a less aggressive comedy style that shows the traditional style has not been lost quite yet. Despite the trade up though, the movie is still very predictable and simplistic enough to still be stuck in the mediocre territory. As much fun as I had in the movie, there isn't much to warrant it for a movie theater visit, unless you are a fan of the traditional comedy and looking for a fun group/date movie.
My scores are:
Comedy/Crime: 7.5 Movie Overall: 6.0 -
stevendbeard8 April 2017I saw "Going in Style", starring Morgan Freeman-The Dark Knight movies, Unforgiven; Michael Caine-The Dark Knight movies, Miss Congeniality; Alan Arkin-Million Dollar Arm, Little Miss Sunshine and Ann Margret-Old Dogs, Viva Las Vegas.
This is a geriatric heist comedy that is a remake of a 1979 film of the same name-it starred George Burns, Art Carney & Lee Strasberg. In the original, the old timers were resorting to robbing a bank because of boredom and wanting to feel young again. In this version, they are forced into a criminal life because of necessity-they need the money because they have lost their pensions. Morgan, Michael & Alan are the 3 old friends on fixed incomes that decide to rob the bank that is foreclosing on Michael's house. Ann plays a woman at the local grocery store that likes Alan. One of the funniest scenes is when the guys decide to do a trail run on the grocery store, in preparation for robbing the bank-they try to steal groceries. They are not very good at it and decide to get help from a professional thief who gets them into shape. It's not laugh out loud funny but it is entertaining and I smiled a lot. It is directed by Zach Braff, who was an actor in Garden State & Scrubs_tv. It's rated "PG-13" for drug content, language and sexual content-no nudity-and has a running time of 1 hour & 36 minutes. I enjoyed it enough that I would buy it on DVD. -
Lleuq755 April 2017Joyful, hilarious, touching, exciting. "Going in Style" fits in all these categories, proving how age does not – and should not – deprive actors of comedic spirit. Michael Cane ('Joe'), Morgan Freeman ('Willie'), and Alan Arkin ('Al') give such good performances to the point that moments of lack of subtlety – from both the script and the direction – are minimized instead of forgiven. It is a hell of a good time from beginning to end.
Down on their luck, the three old friends struggle to simply get through the day is becoming more unbearable each day. 'Joe' is under the pressure of bank eviction notices, 'Willie' has to overcome the distance from the family, and 'Al', well, could not care less as long as he is not alone. Alan Arkin, by the way, steals every scene – "Little Miss Sunshine" vibes.
Their situation reaches its breaking point when their pensions are frozen. The three leads decide to rob their mutual bank and this part of the plot is what defines this movie for what it is. On the one hand, it plays up, to the maximum level, all the possible jokes and funny moments applicable to the circumstance – and the payoff includes a supermarket scene that I will not forget so soon. Another way it works is with the sneaky and twisty nature of the bank robbery operation – orchestrated with the help of 'Jesus' (John Ortiz). These do not just make sense, but they are truly clever.
The part where it comes across as not as bright is in its efforts of justifying the leads actions. Of course, situations like this can and do very well happen, and are genuine injustices. Michael Cane sells that emotion with a few dramatic scenes involving his granddaughter in the film 'Brooklyn', played by Joey King. It is, however, in dealing with the circumstances of the robbery and the nature of such a situation that it falls short. Again, this is does not get in the way of it being a good and fully enjoyable film; it only keeps it from having that extra level of much appreciated sophistication.
Ultimately, "Going in Style" does what it came to theaters to do: get constant, big, and loud laughs from the audience. It provides spectators with incredible 90 or so minutes of good fun at the movies. Despite hilarious supporting performances by Christopher Lloyd as 'Milton' and Ann-Margaret as 'Annie', the three Oscar winners leads carry this film with such class and wit that it makes it really hard not to enjoy the trip to the theater.
7.5/10 -
So here's the thing: if you told me, out of the blue, with no context whatsoever, that there was a heist flick with Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Alan Arkin and Ann-Margaret (or you could have me at just Caine) where they plot to rob the Brooklyn bank that's screwed them over after a royal f***-over from their blue collar job, I'd say 'sign me up!' That it would also be a comedy wouldn't be so bad an enticement either; one might be reminded of something that could've starred these same actors from the 70's (ever seen The Hot Rock?) and spiked with some relevant social issues. Matter of fact, as I only recently learned, this is a *remake* of a movie from the 70's (whether it had the same horrible-bank horrible-company thing I'm sure I don't know).
The problem is it's now 2017 and their age can't be taken out of the text of the film - this is the Grumpy Old Men or even The Bucket List of NYC heist movies - and the director Zach Braff is a hack. Sorry, but... no, I'm not sorry to type that. While I haven't Wish I Was Here, Garden State is not simply in retrospect but what I knew at the time to be an unconvincing and cloying indie that had some decent acting and (not mutually exclusive) some highly self-conscious directorial moves and writing that... well, it didn't date well then much less now.
I don't mean to beat up on Braff's film - good for him for making a movie, it wasn't a crime or anything - except to point to how in his third film out he has moved up to now making an unconvincing and typical and safe middle-brow comedy. It's not that the trailer even showed anything like an edge, but... damn, he could've tried, not to mention some twists and reveals near the end that made me groan so loud I got looks from some of the AARP folks in the theater. Oh, and the social issues are dealt kind of up front and we only sort of see the consequences/ramifications of what this does to people (it's closer to the depth of something like Tower Heist in that way).
And yet I have an admiration for this movie getting to see these faces and, at the least, Braff doesn't get too much in the way of Caine and Freeman and Arkin to do what they can with Melfi's also safe script. They work well together and I found myself laughing more than I expected from if not all of the dialog (though there's one or two clever moments from Melfi) then from how they deliver it. There's lifetimes of experience and knowledge and depths of pathos from these actors, even with Arkin who always seems to be Cranky-Ass Arkin (but this is likely an act, so to simply be this personality so convincingly is impressive), and they play off with as much comedy as they can get from the supporting cast like Christopher Lloyd as a dementia-ish Knights of Columbus fellow and Ann Margaret as Arkin's would-be love interest.
The heist itself is shown in broad strokes and we can buy it because, um, movie. I was fine with most of it, up until it strains credulity though this is largely when the alibis have to come out and all of the loose ends come together (and even here I could believe it, at least in the predictable-safe world its set in). Maybe my critical standards are getting rusty and I should harsher on this, not the least because it features a set-up involving a botched preparatory theft of... ingredients for Chicken Cordon-Bleu from a small super-market that is paid off in a way that makes less sense than it should. I wanted it to do a little more, but what it gave me was fine - I may just be a sucker for this cast and that, for what morsels they're given, they do as much and then some with it. It's an excellent Laundromat Movie: if it came on while I was doing/waiting for my laundry, I'd be highly satisfied.
In a theater.... ehhh... Extra points too for Matt Dillon as a non-plussed cop and a humorous Keenan Thompson as the security hack at the super-market. -
phubbs20 August 2017I've noticed a few movies like this in recent years, you know, with a small tight-knit roster of aging A-list stars that might not be here for much longer or are simply getting too old. I know that sounds really horrible but we've all gotta face the truth about life. But its funny how these epic cast rosters only seem to happen when the stars become old, didn't see it too much back in the day. I guess that could be down to them wanting to be the only major star in their own vehicle when they were younger, hungry for fame. As they get older I guess they mellow out a bit. Just a theory.
So this is another remake of a movie I have not seen or heard of but seems like a justified update I suppose. The plot centres on three old geezers played by Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine and Alan Arkin who are all made redundant. Not only that but they all lose their pensions due to their company being bought out and the restructuring within. So what do these old blokes do? Well they decide to rob the bank that is carrying out the restructuring of their pension funds.
So you get the gist here, geriatric bank robbers equals hilarity...right? Well yes and no, its hardly a laugh riot that's for sure, but predictable and cliched? Most definitely. To start with things move slowly as we meet the three characters and get to know their lives a bit. This is of course required to make us care about these guys and see their situations but it all moves slowly (just like old people). Each character has a different problem that is there to pull on your heartstrings. Joe (Caine) lives with his daughter and granddaughter but due to losing his job and pension they could all be evicted. Willie (Freeman) is becoming very ill due to kidney failure but also cannot afford to visit his family. Albert is the only one without anything overly disastrous happening, he's just a relatively poor old man. So, old men good, bank evil. Got it? Good.
So to prep for their outrageous felony the guys first try to shoplift from a grocery store. This is one of the only truly funny sequences in the movie showcasing stereotypical geriatric tomfoolery and slapstick. The guys don't have a clue what to do and end up shoving all manner of things down their pants, inside jacket pockets or where ever. The getaway on the mobility scooter tops it off perfectly...if again a little too cliche. Because of course they escape on a mobility scooter, they're old farts. A security officer chases after Albert but it doesn't last too long because Albert is...well old! 'this isn't an admission of guilt, I'm just tired'. The follow up with the store manager (Kenan Thompson of 'Kenan & Kel') is also quite amusing.
After this disappointing test run they seek help from an actual criminal to help them plan their heist. Cue training montage of old men getting fit and learning the tricks to becoming a top bank robber. Eventually we actually get to the actual bank robbing (are all American banks this splendid looking?) and being a family film its all very gentle and soppy. Old Willie almost keels over from overheating in his mask but is helped by a little girl in a vomit- inducing 'aww' moment. But then things take a slightly darker turn when the bank manager pulls a gun and tries to shoot the old men, but misses. Albert then strides over to the manager firing his blanks at him. This all felt very out of place in my opinion, especially when Albert starts firing his gun at the manager whilst saying he's gonna die. I realise he's letting out his frustration on the manager because of their financial situations and whatnot but Jesus!
Apparently the original movie has a more downbeat ending with the old guys getting caught, but this has been overturned here. In this heart-warming adventure the guys get away with it and give much of the money away to all their friends and family. Pretty stupid really, seeing all these people getting packages with huge wads of cash in them. I think most people would probably go to the police suspecting criminal activity, not wanting to get in trouble or dragged into anything.
Like I've said this is a SLOW moving film, there are lots of typical family scenes with soppy dialog. You do get a good sense of each character for sure but all the while you sit there just wanting them to get on with it. Basically you're not really interested in all the lovey-dovey build up, you just wanna see these guys rob the bank. Its all about old age pensioners robbing a bank, that's amusing and that's all you wanna see. The rest is all very very safe, clean and formulaic; light-hearted being an understatement. So yeah its fine, but could of been much funnier I think.
6/10 -
shadow_blade-894591 April 2019"Going in Style (2017) is a professionally produced crime comedy about three lifelong friends who have fallen on hard times through the loss of their pension. Their plan to fix their financial woes comes in the form of a bank robber of their own personal bank that happens to control their pension. This is the second time I have watched this film and I love it every time. It is a reminder that there are good friends in the world that will go through the business with you. It also helps that some of my favorite actors are in the film. This is an overall great film and very sound technically.
For a comedy, the cinematography was surprising at how gripping it was in just the opening scene. The angles of the camera provided a glorious look into the bank that was far from boring. Director Zach Braff must have had the easiest job working with actors Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, and Alan Arkin, which allowed him to be so creative in his shot selection and editing choices because the acting was so great. I believe the story is very strong, only because it is a comedy. I don't think it would be feasible to make a realistic heist movie with limited mobility elderly. Overall, I think this film is great and would recommend it to all that want to know what real friendship looks like. -
bkoganbing5 December 2017Although the seriousness of the plight of us elderly is treated with respect as it was in the first version of Going In Style, this new version has a lot more laughs and a much happier ending all around except maybe for FBI agent Matt Dillon.
Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman and Alan Arkin are the three new old geezers and they're so good you forget that Caine hasn't even tried to discard his cockney speech pattern.
In better times these two would be sitting on the park bench just reminiscing about the past, listening to the arteries harden, talk about friends who recently passed on and play with grandkids. But these are not ordinary times. The bank in one of their read between the lines mortgages is about to evict Caine from his house and both Caine and Freeman are about to lose their pensions from the company they work for. Capitalism at its unregulated best.
These old geezers aren't taking it lying down, they're going to rob the Williamsburg Savings Bank located in the tallest building in Brooklyn. I loved the scenes where they plan and execute the robbery, the seniors are fast learners and good improvisers.
They also are great comrades in fact one makes a big sacrifice for another. They also share the loot with some deserving people, those scenes are precious indeed.
I can't forget mentioning Christopher Lloyd who plays one of their Alzheimer stricken friends. Laugh there are in Lloyd's performance, but a bit poignancy as well. He's used by one of them as an alibi for the time of the robbery. His interrogation by Matt Dillon is hysterical.
A big sendup for gray power, that's what Going In Style is. -
zardoz-1310 April 2017Remakes shouldn't carbon copy the originals. "Garden State" director Zach Braff of "Scrubs" and "Hidden Figures" scenarist Theodore Melfi have jettisoned more from the original "Going in Style" than you might expect, but they also have lightened up the tone with amusing shenanigans and gags galore. Initially, "Going in Style" (1979) blended low-key comedy with grim drama in its straightforward depiction of brazen oldsters who engineered a bank heist wearing little more than dime-store disguises, essentially Groucho Marx masks, with big black glasses, big bulging noses, and big droopy mustaches. George Burns, Art Carney, and Les Strasberg starred as the ambitious old geezers who held up a bank because they were bored with their daily routine of sitting on a park bench. Sadly, those three old-timers didn't live happily ever after once they got away with the goods. Two of them croaked after the crime, and the mastermind surrendered and served time. Ultimately, the mastermind refused to divulge the location of the loot. In the end, he decided that he could break out of the prison with little difficulty. Imagine George Burns imitating the perennially pugnacious Humphrey Bogart, and you'll have a good idea what a hard-boiled egg Burns made as the ringleader of the elderly triumvirate. If you've never heard of George Burns, he was the cigar-smoking comedian who made the "Oh, God!" trilogy.
In their "Going in Style" remake, Braff and Melfi have preserved the premise about three seniors who decide to stage a bank robbery. Braff and Melfi stick with the same three names of the original characters: Joe, Al, and Willie, but change their color and nationality. Typically, Hollywood prefers to reward altruistic characters who perform good deeds and punish villains for their selfish, wicked ways. Comparatively, Braff's "Going in Style" remake relies far more on feel-good fantasy than abrasive drama, and the characters are not the original skeleton crew. Braff and Melfi have gone to considerable lengths to flesh out each character so these individuals boast stronger motivations about turning to a life of crime despite the possibility of not only shooting up a bank but also being shot by anyone during the robbery. Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, and Alan Arkin step into the shoes of George Burns, Art Carney, and Les Strasberg as the three codgers who committed the crime. Happily, the new Willie, Al, and Joe enjoy greater success than their predecessors after they carried out their criminal enterprise.
"Going in Style" never lets one of the three heroes outshine the other two in terms of extended or abbreviated screen time. Willie (Morgan Freeman of "Driving Miss Daisy"), Al (Oscar-winning actor Alan Arkin of "Argo," and Joe (Oscar-winning actor Michael Caine) neither live together nor contend with the dried-up, depressing, boring lives that their predecessors endured with death looming on the horizon. Rather than robbing a bank out of sheer boredom, the three new protagonists resort to bank robbery because the company that employed them for 30 years has frozen their pensions and it is stashing that pension money in a local bank for other purposes. Willie, Al, and Joe attend the public meeting at their old company, and they walk away with rage in their hearts. Willie teeters on the verge of death from a bad kidney, but refuses to alarm them. His doctor warns him he must locate a donor because his chances of acquiring a new kidney are slim to none. Al gave the best years of his life to the same company, but he abhors the idea of sticking up a bank. Eventually, he decides to join them. Ultimately, the driving force behind the bank robbery caper is Joe because he has overdrawn his checking account and is poised to lose his home. In the original, Willie, Al, and Joe all shared the same house. Furthermore, the original protagonists were all Caucasian, while the latest group emerges as diverse, multi-cultural triad. African-American, Jewish-American, and British, without a White Anglo-Saxon in sight. Like the original, the individual who formulates the strategy for stealing thousands of bucks at gunpoint is Joe. Not only does Joe fear he will lose his house, but he also dreads the prospect that his granddaughter, Brooklyn (Joey King of "The Conjuring") and her mother, Rachel (Maria Dizzia of "Margin Call") won't have a place to live after his eviction.
Joe is oblivious to his monetary woes until he visits his bank and discovers his dire straits. While he is learning about his woebegone financial status, three masked felons decked out in black suits with assault rifles burst into the bank and threaten to shoot anybody who doesn't cooperate. They make all the customers lay on the floor and they go from one bank cashier to the next watching each as they dish out the dough and put it in their satchels. The efficiency and speed of these three bank robbers stun Joe. Indeed, this robbery scene reminded me of the scene in director Michael Mann's classic caper "Heat" (1995) with Al Pacino and Robert De Niro. Like his predecessor in the 1979 original, Joe has a difficult time persuading his two lifelong friends to accompany him to the Williamsburg Savings Bank in Brooklyn with pistols and masks. Unlike their predecessors, these three decide to learn a little about bank robbery from a pro, Jesús (John Ortiz of "Kong: Skull Island"), who operates a dog grooming business, but moonlights as a bank robber. Jesús trains them in every aspect of a hold-up, and they cut him in for a quarter of the loot. When Willie, Al, and Joe enter the bank, they have a clue about what they're doing, and they maintain a timetable so as to escape before the police arrive.
"Going in Style" generates lots of comedy and some spine-tingling suspense. Predictable in certain respects, this immaculate bank robbery caper never wears out its welcome, with heroes that you can respect and root for in their efforts to make good. -
Gordon-119 May 2017This film tells the story of three hard working pensioners, who have given decades of their lives working for a factory. One day, they are told that their pensions will be stopped, leaving them penniless. They come up with a plan to rob a bank to recuperate their lost pensions.
"Going in Style" seems to be a heist film, but most of the screen time is dedicated to setting the scene, and the planning process. THe actual heist has little screen time, but the story is engaging nonetheless. The desperation and frustration of them losing their pension is palpable, and evoke much sympathy from viewers. I like Alan Larkin's character, as he appears to be unapproachable and yet he is not like that deep down. Michael Caine is great as a man who is desperate as well. I enjoyed the story, and it gives me smiles and satisfaction. -
ThomasDrufke6 April 2017A story about 3 elderly gentleman wanting to rob a bank in retaliation for not receiving their pension funds is something out of a yahoo news article 3 pages down. But as ridiculous as the premise is, there's some unexpected enjoyment to be had here.
Going in Style is directed by Zach Braff of all people. The guy who brought us Garden State? Yep. I imagine this was a situation where he saw an opportunity to work with three of the greatest actors of this generation and took it, instead of this being some sort of passion project on his part. But that really is the selling point of the movie, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, and Alan Arkin. Each are legends on their own, but seeing all three of them together is a pleasure for any film fan. These three have taken some heat in the past about appearing in mediocre films and giving mediocre performances, with some even accusing them of "mailing it in". Luckily, there's none of that here. You can tell the three of them had a blast filming together and it clearly shows in the final product. The film won't knock your socks off, but I'll watch anything with these actors.
It's not all giggles, though. There's a deeper message in Going in Style about living your life until the very end, and not sitting back and letting others ruin your life. I'm not sure the film truly succeeded in that sense or I was getting a little sad at potentially watching my favorite actors realize their own mortality. Strangely enough, this is where the film is at its best. Whether its watching these guys tear up at the site of the granddaughters, or just busting each other over the smallest of things, I felt like I was watching them go through real-life issues. It sounds silly, especially considering they're all doing just fine financially in real life, but I felt really bad for these guys.
However, as expected, this movie is just plain ridiculous. The believability is off the charts and the writing is not good, to say the least. I like Theodore Melfi a lot, actually. St. Vincent is one of my favorite films of all time and Hidden Figures is gold, but I can't get behind his work here. I'm not sure whether it was a choice of some of the supporting actors, Braff's call, or in Melfi's script, but there's some really dumb stuff in this film.
As a whole, I had fun with Going in Style. It's far from perfect, and it can even be cringe worthy at times, but the emotions I got from seeing three actors you love truly sink their teeth into real- life problems of mortality was enough for me.
+Actors having a blast
+Well put together goofy heist film
-But sometimes it's a little too goofy
6.8/10 -
JoeytheBrit9 May 2020Extremely ordinary comedy that relies on the charm and chemistry of its geriatric stars to elevate it beyond the quality of the writing. Any movie that gets no laughs out of Caine and Freeman getting high on weed has to be doing something wrong...
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burlesonjesse58 April 2017Zach Braff has directed three movies. They are Garden State, Wish I Was Here, and Going in Style. "Style" (my latest review) is the best out of all of them. It's not as complicated, it's more commercial, and it's not quite as pretentious. Oh and Braff isn't in front of the camera this time. Now does that make Going in Style a better film overall? Not necessarily. This is completely different fodder from what Zach has helmed in the past. "Style" as a spring comedy slash crime mantra, just wants to have a good time.
Better than old timer foil like The Bucket List and Last Vegas, Going in Style has Braff channeling his inner Jon Turteltaub (minus the technological gadgets). There's the film score by Rob Simonsen that sounds like erratic spy music. There's also the fast cut editing and split screen shots detailing "Style's" pivotal bank robbery (and bank robbery planning). Lastly, there's the whole, we-get-it-you're-old plot element vested upon us. In jest, a lot of Going in Style feels like you're watching a comedic National Treasure complete with AARP interludes. Zach Braff casts three legendary actors (Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Alan Arkin) and with a breezily tone, makes them all seem likable.
Distributed by Warner Bros. and shot around parts of Brooklyn, Queens, and summertime Manhattan, Going in Style is about three lifelong pals named Willie (Freeman), Joe (Caine), and Albert (Arkin). They are insolvent, over the age of 75, and have their pensions revoked after the company they worked for, becomes restructured. Their solution and inspiration: Pull off a bank heist of over a million dollars with the guys wearing Rat Pack masks and donning firearms with blanks (examples of the Rat Pack are Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, and Joey Bishop). Look for a test robbery featuring Freeman and Caine knocking off a lowly supermarket. Also, be on the lookout for a scene where the three senior citizens toke up on some potent ganja (you know, the urban definition for weed).
All in all, "Style" despite a small twist, comes off as predictable, a little too happy happy, and altogether trivial. Yup, not much feels at stake. However, it's jolly, entertaining, and chuckled in a PG-13 sort of way. "Style" is a remake of a 1979 film saddled with the same title. I've never seen that George Burns vehicle and I may never see it (unless I decide to order the Blu-ray on Amazon). No matter. This new version of Going in Style probably has a "style" all its own anyway. Oh and I almost forgot, watch for famed actors Matt Dillon, Ann Margret, and Christopher Lloyd in small, supporting roles. They add to "Style's" lighthearted fun. Rating: 3 stars. -
SnoopyStyle24 December 2017Joe Harding (Michael Caine) goes to the bank to confront his banker who is threatening to take his home. He has his daughter Rachel and granddaughter Brooklyn (Joey King) living with him. He witnesses a bank robbery and FBI Agent Arlen Hamer (Matt Dillon) dismisses him. He, and his friends Willie Davis (Morgan Freeman) and Albert Garner (Alan Arkin) lose their pension after a merger that moves the plant overseas. Willie needs a kidney and Albert has a fling with Annie Santori (Ann-Margret). As difficulties mount, the guys decide to rob a bank.
This should be better than this. The grocery store robbery is silly. I'd rather they go buy guns and do a straight up robbery movie. They could skip a lot of this. Ann-Margret adds little more than senior babe quotient. The robbery and what happens after lacks reality. Not that reality should be holding this back. I do like some moments like the fake tattoo and finding the bank has taken their pension fund. This needs more. It needs to be funnier and/or more thrilling. The caper needs to be sharper. Zach Braff does a competent job and the movie is generally competent but not more than that. -
The kind of film that if you need to take a leak during it you dont bother pressing pause. Its there, its got the cast but Style? Nah
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SafReviews13 January 2020I'm a bit disappointed with this movie as I was expecting it too be funny, but there were only like a couple of funny moments. I thought that the plot was very basic, but still a bit intriguing. I was expecting the heist to be a bit thrilling, but It wasn't at all and it felt too easy and unrealistic, especially considering the age of the robbers. Overall, it's not the worst movie, but for me it didn't really excite and thrill me like a heist or even a comedy movie should.
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derek-duerden17 October 2021Not the best heist or buddy movie, or comedy, in anyone's books, I suspect - but perfectly enjoyable fare if you are in the market for an undemanding evening's viewing.
Mostly, it keeps things "plausible enough" - although they all looked too old to still be working in the first place, and the "practice" supermarket robbery was just too silly for me. However, the manager there (and Matt Dillon's cop throughout) added hugely to the sense of fun. Not awful. -
LeoAlexson6 April 2017Personally, I really like the works of Zach Braff, I fell in love with him in the series "Scrubs", which, thanks to the actor's play of Braff, delighted the fans for many years. Later I became interested in his first feature film "Garden State", which showed an unusual director's style of Braff. Then, after many years, the second film "Wish i Was Here" appeared, in which the matured director shared with the audience his experiences about the upbringing of children and death. Before watching "Going in Style" i found out that the film is a remake of the same picture released in 1979, this prompted me first to see it. Let's move on to the film itself.
Actors Actors on the main roles, Braff took the first magnitude: Morgan Freeman, Michael Kane, Alan Arkin. Each of the actors is already a professional in their field, so they played at their good level: convincingly and vigorously. This film is the sixth joint work of Morgan Freeman and Michael Kane after the trilogy of Christopher Nolan about Batman and the "Now You See Me" dialog. Not a bad role was the young actress Joey King, who played the granddaughter of the character Michael Caine. I think that the actress will have many good and interesting roles in the future. Also pleased with the appearance of Christopher Lloyd, who was remembered by the majority for the role of Dr. Emmett Brown in the trilogy "Back to the Future".
Story As I wrote earlier, before watching this film, I already looked at the version of 1979. When I went to the film, I assumed that I would see the story one by one, only with the eyes of another director. But, as it turned out, the film's writers foresaw this and pleasantly surprised me by changing the plot in key places. Both films, the 1979 film and the Braff movie are based on the work of Edward Cannon.
Cinematography Separately, I would like to note the excellent and beautiful camera-work of Rodney Charters, which positively influenced the film and created for him a memorable style.
The Result Although the film is not based on the original script of Zach Braff, his style is still very clearly traced in the picture. I believe that under the leadership of Braff, the film turned out to be much more energetic and cheerful compared to the previous interpretation of the work of Edward Cannon. Remained pleasantly surprised and pleased of film. I look forward to the next product of Braff.
9 out of 10 -
wpoti22 April 2019This movie is altogether a wholesome experience that accompanies everything about finding a purpose in life and not giving up. Not recommending robbing a bank in the slightest. However, under hardship the guys didn't give up and that's a lesson a lot of people can learn in todays society.
The overall theme of the movie was a feel-good comedy which it achieved to a pretty respectable degree. However, the movie focused on to many aspects of the main characters lives which distracted viewers from the overall theme of restoring purpose in life. Also some comedic aspects of the movie had an awkward delivery which took away some of my feel good feelings. However, the movie finished strongly and restored some of that feeling lost during the middle of the movie.
Overall, really decent movie, would really recommend to anyone. -
cj27556 April 2017The movie was the best thing, which could happen to me in sneak preview. I laughed so often, an wonderful story combined with great actors and Zach Braff, who made a great job to transform the old movie into todays background. I'd like to see more movies like this, than the stupid standard comedy from Hollywood. I recommend everyone to see this film and have great two hours. A quick summary: perfect chosen actor,s a bit predictable, but i liked it anyway, jokes,jokes,jokes... GO watch this film !
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avraham_tal20 July 2017A very light and fun movie. Seen this genre many times, so there is nothing new here.
Nevertheless, I watched it mainly due to the famous actors, but this movie does not need rewinding...
Definitely watchable for a non-serious evening. -
rioplaydrum5 May 2017Since I'm on the verge of not being much of a youngin' anymore myself, I took a particular interest in this story.
Early on we get a fair idea of what it is to be elderly in a fast moving, youth obsessed society that basically treats it's elderly with condescending and patronizing attitudes at best.
That's as edgy as it gets. After around twenty minutes, the plot becomes quickly deluded with Luke-warm silliness that weighs in about one or two rungs above fart jokes. The humor is contrived and not funny.
Rather than explore the issues of aging more deeply (and yes, I'm well aware it was supposed to be a comedy), what we get is a buffoonish parade of supporting rolls around our central characters, from a bank manager who pees his pants to a variety of other morons not even worth mentioning.
Veteran actors Cain, Freeman, Arkin, Margret and Lloyd are completely diminished by the constant childish antics more befitting of a long forgotten made for TV movie-of-the-week.
If you still sleep with a teddy bear, you might like it.
If not, you'll find it as I did: Infantile and painfully dumb.
Completely forgettable. -
Wizard-88 September 2017I did see the original 1979 "Going In Style" movie some years ago, and I remember enjoying it, one reason being that while it was officially a comedy, it had a serious edge to it that helped prevent it from becoming too cornball. It wasn't a surprise to me that the serious edge to this story was lessened in this remake - the majority of most modern day movies try to be feel-good exercises from start to end. The strange thing is that when this remake does try to be serious, it comes up with the best scenes in the movie. And the movie at its worse is when it tries to be real jokey and cornball. The movie does remain watchable, however, mainly due to the performances of the three lead actors, who are very likable and appealing. Also, I admit that I was never bored at any moment. All the same, if you have a choice between watching the original movie or this remake, I would suggest you watch the original... though there are definitely a lot of movies that are much worse than this okay remake.