Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Michael Caine | ... | Joe Harding | |
Alan Arkin | ... | Albert Garner | |
Ann-Margret | ... | Annie Santori | |
Matt Dillon | ... | FBI Agent Arlen Hamer | |
Joey King | ... | Brooklyn Harding | |
Christopher Lloyd | ... | Milton Kupchak | |
Maria Dizzia | ... | Rachel Harding | |
Morgan Freeman | ... | Willie Davis | |
John Ortiz | ... | Jesus / Bank Robber #1 | |
Siobhan Fallon Hogan | ... | Mitzi | |
Peter Serafinowicz | ... | Murphy | |
Kenan Thompson | ... | Manager Keith Schonfeld | |
Josh Pais | ... | Chuck Lofton | |
Richie Moriarty | ... | Kyle Kitson | |
Seth Barrish | ... | Dr. Helton |
Three seniors, who have been wronged by the company they worked for thirty years and are living social security check to check, decide they have had enough. So, they plan to rob the bank that is taking their pension money. Joe Harding (Sir Michael Caine), a man who lives with his daughter and granddaughter, who which he has a strong relationship with is having troubles with his mortgage. Willy Davis (Morgan Freeman), lives very far away from the only family he has but needs desperate kidney surgery. Albert Gardner (Alan Arkin), a grumpy old man who a long time ago used to play the saxophone and is constantly flirting with the grandmother of his student. The problem is, they don't even know how to handle a gun. Written by William Adkins
Joyful, 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