GOING IN STYLE
US, 2017, 97 minutes, Colour.
Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Alan Arkin, Ann- Margret, Matt Dillon, Christopher Lloyd, Joey King, Peter Serafinowicz, John Ortiz, Siobhan Fallon Hogan.
Directed by Zack Graf.
As Going in Style was released, Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman discussed the potential audience in a radio interview. They quickly pointed out that this was a film for an older audience – and that film makers had really discovered in recent years that there was an eager older audience, especially after the success of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. They also remarked that this older audience was often sick and tired of just sitting in front of the television and were eager to go out to see a film but there were not so many that they really wanted to see.
Robert Redford was 80 in 16. In 2017, Warren Beatty, Jack Nicholson, Dustin Hoffman, Vanessa Redgrave, Jane Fonda all turn 80. As regards Going In Style, Michael Caine was born in 1933, Alan Arkin in 1934 and Morgan Freeman amongst those turning 80 in 2017. Plenty of older star power around, just mentioning in passing Judi Dench and Maggie Smith.
In fact, the first version of Going In Style, which was released in 1979, starred George Burns who was 83, Art Carney who was merely 61 and dramatic teacher, Lee Strasberg, 78. But, 80 is not what it used to be either for the actors or for the audience. There are a lot of 80-year-olds happy to go out to see the film!
Actually, this is a bank robbery film. Early in the piece, Michael Caine’s Joe is having a grim talk with his financial advisor because he is receiving notices that his home will be reclaimed by the bank when there is an expert robbery, executed by masked men and carried out within three minutes and an effective escape. But that does eventually give Joe some ideas, especially when he and Willie (Morgan Freeman) and Albert (Alan Arkin) go to their factory and find that production is going to foreign countries and not only that but the pension scheme has collapsed. What else is an elderly person to do but rob a bank!
They make meticulous preparation, but have to do a fair number of rehearsals to get their movements agile and ready for a successful under three minutes robbery. They have connections who give them advice, some fake guns and blanks, and make the pledge that they will only take the money that they would have accrued in pensions if they were to live for several years, anything over for charity.
Joe has a daughter and granddaughter living at home and doesn’t want to lose his house. Willie and Albert board together and, unknown to the others, Willie has tumours. Albert has the touch of the pessimist but certainly is attracted by the woman at the local store, played by Ann- Margret (only 75!).
The investigator for the original robbery is played by Matt Dillon, obviously the younger lead in the film (though 52 at time of filming). He is conscientious, has his suspicions, questions the suspects, follows them – but, a very entertaining part of the film is the dramatising of their alibis, very well thought out, the use of masks, playing to video surveillance and deceiving it. The three belong to a local club where they go to have their dinners, a charity club does get involved in charity work and the days of the fair is on is a cover for the robbery. Christopher Lloyd (78) plays the rather doddery manager. And the club is the recipient of a hefty donation – and the flirtatious waitress at the diner, who does give them some pie gratis when they haven’t the ability to pay, also ruled receives a substantial tip.
And, at the end, wedding bells for Albert and his girlfriend, and everybody gathered in dancing, definitely going in style. Nothing particularly great about the film but an entertainment for its intended audience.
1. A film about old age for older audiences to enjoy? For younger audiences?
2. The title, prospects of death, comfortable death? The remake of the 1970s film? The transition to 21st-century, characters, problems, situations, solutions?
3. New York City, homes and apartments, the factory, the banks, police precincts, the streets, car chases, school? The staging of the bank robberies? The musical score?
4. Age, the old men, having families, living alone, developing relationships, coping with illness? The strength of friendship?
5. Joe, age, narration, his life, love for his daughter, his grandchild, her studies in school? Going to the bank, the discussion with the financial manager, notices of closure, the bureaucratic arguments, documents? The argument? The potential for losing the house, for the family? Going to the factory, listening to the decision-making, the collapse of the pension scheme?
6. Willie, his age, alone during life, work at factory, sharing his apartment with Albert for decadence? Strong friendship? Going to the doctor? Illness?
7. Albert, his age, working with the factory, sharing with Willie, his criticisms, prone to unhappiness? Playing his instrument, coaching the boy in giving up? The attraction to Annie, their conversations, together? The sexual relationship? The effect on Albert? His prospects, thinking about dying?
8. Issues of justice, the factory and foreign workers in production, the pensions, the banks, the bank helping in closing the pension scheme? No cash, going to the diner as they used to, the waitress and her comments, flirting? Giving them a piece of pie?
9. Joe experiencing the robbery, the financial advisor, lying on the floor like a rabbit, the precision of the robbery, masks, words, the reaction of the customers, taking the money, escaping? Joe seeing the robbers tattoo? Going to see Hamer, the description and sketch?
10. The idea, discussions with Willie, with Albert and his reluctance, Albert’s bad experience and agreement?
11. The visits to the club, the meals, the friendship, playing bowls, bingo? Milton and his management, but his forgetfulness?
12. The preparation for the robbery, the timing, exercise and the difficulties, taking too long for a three-minute robbery? Joe, his contact, his son-in-law, the criminal, the help, the guns? The irony that he perpetrated the first robbery? The rehearsals?
13. The robbery itself, the child with the doll, seeing Willie’s watch, Willie collapsing? Her later coming to the line-up, that three being present, her decision not to identify Willie?
14. The plan, the getaway, the driving, contact? Hamer and his suspecting, the information given to him because of the interviews, going to the diner? His interrogations, their explanations of their alibis?
15. The details of the alibi, while each of them was participating in the fair, the surveillance, their disappearance, being covered? Returning?
16. The moment when it seemed like Albert had died, the eulogy? Rather, the wedding, everybody present and everybody happy?
