JUST GETTING STARTED
US, 2017, 91 minutes, Colour.
Morgan Freeman, Tommy Lee Jones, René Russoe, Joe Pantoliano, Glenn Headley, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Elizabeth Ashley, George Wallace, Graham Beckel, Mel Raido, Jane Seymour, Johnny Mathis, Nick Peine, Kristen Raikes.
Directed by Ron Shelton.
This comedy, with a touch of action, is intended for an older audience,, especially an older older audience. Actually, Morgan Freeman was almost 80 when he made Just Getting Started, and Tommy Lee Jones was just into his 70s. And so was the director, Ron Shelton, who was noted in the past for sports films, especially with Bull Durham, White Men Can’t Jump, Tin Cup…
We normally don’t see Morgan Freeman like this, relaxed, comic, into dance movements, not the sober, upright character of so many films. In fact, it seems he has worked for the Mafia, sold out, gone into Witness Protection, and has set up a lavish resort in Palm Springs. His new name is Duke and he is in command of everything, kindly manner, somewhat ruthless behind the scenes in his management, employing a fastidious little man who does his beck and call and is full of advice and anticipation of crises, but also a womaniser with three older women whose life seems to be flirting (and more) with Duke and any other of the men around. They are played by Glenn Headley, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Elizabeth Ashley (at 80).
While this might be the occasion for comedy at the resort, we learn instantly that a Mafia boss, played by Jane Seymour, sees an advertisement on TV, recognises Duke and hires her hitman son.
But, the complication is the arrival of Tommy Lee Jones as Leo, mysterious global background, beating Duke at poker, at golf (and Duke has a chorus of three old colleges following in adulation, and also cheating at golf for him), quoting the classics, skilled at painting…
And the further complication is the arrival of Susie, René Russo, seemingly a guest, but then having a task to confront Duke about the management of the resort. And a lot is made of the Christmas setting, Duke buying real camels for the crib, lots of popular Christmas songs and carols, a fight with centre!
And the hitman attempts… A snake in a golf bag, an exploding golf cart, bombs in a van, are unsuccessful. Which means that as Duke and Leo eventually bond, and are attracted to Susie, there has to be some kind of a showdown with the assassin, actually an initial failure as they both fall asleep on surveillance outside a motel, then Duke wanting to be a hero during the shootout.
Susie likes Johnny Mathis so Duke arranges for him to turn up to perform at the resort!
And a happy ending for all, satisfactory romance, Duke getting more opportunities in Witness Protection.
1. A film for older, veteran audiences? The cast, the characters, the situations, the comedy?
2. The Palm Springs settings, the resort, the lavish details of the resort, offices, clubs, dining, golf course…? The musical score? And Johnny Mathis and his singing?
3. The opening, Delilah, her phone calls, the hitman, revealed to be her son, wanting the hit on Duke, the motivations? Oscar and his explosions, snakes… Failing?
4. Duke, different performance from Morgan Freeman, relaxed? His courtesy towards everyone? Yet his strict management of the resort? Building it up? Jimmy and his constant attention, detail, alert to situations? Ginger as the assistant, attraction to Jimmy? Duke and his being skilled at poker, golf, proud of his work? Womanising? The later revelation that he was in Witness Protection? Yet Delilah seeing the television commercial?
5. Tommy Lee Jones as Leo, a variation on his usual performance? Arrival, skilled at poker, golf, poetry, painting, quoting the classics…? Duke and the suspicions, losing at poker, cheating at golf? Yet befriending Leo, relying on him?
6. Susie, guest, calm, attractive, Duke and his attentions? Leo and his courtesies? The revelation of who she was? The demands on Duke? Jimmy and Ginger and all the documents? Her role for the company, to fire Duke before Christmas?
7. The Christmas background, the decorations, buying the camels, the crib, the Christmas songs, the Christmas carols, the company Santa Claus and Duke fighting with him? The quiet singing of the hymns between Duke and Leo?
8. Susie, attracted to the resort, thinking about her job, not wanting to fail, wanting to support it? The meetings, interviewing Duke, looking at the books? Petty cash?
9. The attempts on Duke’s life, tracking down the assailant, the two working together, the night at the motel and sleeping and missing him, the pursuit of the van, the false driver, Oscar and his abducting Susie?
10. The rendezvous, Leo and the confrontation, Duke wanting to be a hero, creeping up the side of the trailer, the shootout? The rescue?
11. The range of supporting characters around the resort, the three women, provocative, in Duke’s room, with Leo, with the guests? Duke and his continued entourage, the three and their supporting Duke, cheating…?
12. A light entertainment for the oldies! Leo and Susie and romance? Duke with a new identity, a new location, a new resort!
