The Old Man & the Gun (2018)

Based on the true story of Forrest Tucker and his audacious escape from San Quentin at the age of 70 to an unprecedented string of heists that confounded authorities and enchanted the public.

Director:

David Lowery

Writers:

David Lowery, David Grann (based on the New Yorker article by)

Stars:

Robert Redford, Casey Affleck, Sissy Spacek

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 2 wins & 9 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert Redford	...	Forrest Tucker
Casey Affleck	...	John Hunt
Sissy Spacek	...	Jewel
Danny Glover	...	Teddy
Tom Waits	...	Waller
Tika Sumpter	...	Maureen
Ari Elizabeth Johnson	...	Abilene
Teagan Johnson	...	Tyler
Gene Jones	...	Mr. Owens
John David Washington	...	Lt. Kelly
Barlow Jacobs	...	Offerman
Augustine Frizzell	...	Sandra
Jennifer Joplin	...	Martha
Lisa DeRoberts	...	Helen the Teller
Carter Bratton	...	Local News Anchor

Storyline

Based on the true story of Forrest Tucker (Robert Redford), from his audacious escape from San Quentin at the age of 70 to an unprecedented string of heists that confounded authorities and enchanted the public. Wrapped up in the pursuit are detective John Hunt (Casey Affleck), who becomes captivated with Forrest's commitment to his craft, and a woman (Sissy Spacek), who loves him in spite of his chosen profession.

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Plot Keywords:

bank robber | gentleman criminal | septuagenarian | prison escape | heist | 

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Taglines:

This Story is Mostly True.

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Genres:

Biography | Comedy | Crime | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for brief strong language

Did You Know?

Trivia

David Lowery tried to write the true crime version of this movie and the journalistic version of what really happened, and Robert Redford never felt like he fit into that. In other words, according to Lowery himself, his idea of who Redford was as an actor never really fit into the true story of Forrest Tucker. So after many, many drafts, he realized that what he needed to write was the movie that Forrest Tucker would have wanted to see. He needed to write the version of Forrest Tucker that he saw in his own head as opposed to the one that really showed all the things he did. There was a thin line between two, but it was a very important line and that line allowed him to write a movie that was the version that Redford could excel playing.

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Goofs

When Forrest drives off the highway into a field to elude Montana police, Numerous tire tracks, presumably from previous takes, are visible.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Dispatcher: [crackling over radio] All right, 1-10, this is Dispatch. Do you copy?
Officer: This is 1-10. Go ahead.
Dispatcher: What's your 20, 1-10?
[no reply]
Dispatcher: All right, 1-10, what's your 20?
Officer: We're right around the corner, Marianne. What do you need?
Dispatcher: We've got a 4-1-5 at 68th South Corbine Street.
[police radio chatter continues indistinctly]
Dispatcher: All units. There's a 211 in progress. American Bank. Suspect is driving a white sedan. I repeat. Suspect is armed and driving a white sedan.

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Crazy Credits

Jade Healy is credited as Wallpaper Whisperer!

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Connections

Featured in The Oscars (2019)

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Soundtracks

So Alone
Written by Andrew Tinker & Toby Halbrooks
Performed by Priva Patel & Curtis Heath
Courtesy of Andrew Tinker Music

User Reviews

Redford Charms in Breezy, Repetitive Heist Comedy

Robert Redford headlines this new dramedy from David Lowery (whose last film, "A Ghost Story," I found riveting,) by playing an elderly bank robber who has escaped from prison over a dozen times, and is looking to find love with a woman (Sissy Spacek) while being investigated by law enforcement. The film's old-fashioned color palette, low-key charms, and leisurely pacing feel like a throwback to classic filmmaking in a manner almost never seen in today's modern films, even independent ones. It's impossible not to smile at Redford and Spacek's charisma, and the simple score is charming and lovely. The film certainly has its fair share of amusing and entertaining moments, many of which involve bank robbery attempts and prison escapes. That said, the movie has some noticeable problems with its narrative.

The main problem with the film's story is not that it is contrived (it can be, but it is not too difficult for the viewer to suspend disbelief while watching this film.) Rather, it is that the film can be repetitive. The film's use of montages and similar plot devices (like juxtapositions of bank robbery scenes followed by subsequent juxtapositions of scenes showing the personal lives of major characters) get too repetitive, so much that it is somewhat difficult to feel impacted by their stylistic role in the narrative. For a movie that only lasts a fleeting 93 minutes, the film oddly feels a bit long as well. These narrative issues are (unfortunately) very structural in terms of how they affect the film as a whole, which can be judged by the viewer against the film's positive elements (the performances, simple aesthetics, and tone.) Recommended for theatrical viewing to fans of the cast; all others should probably wait to rent it. 6.5/10

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

19 October 2018 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Old Man & the Gun

Filming Locations:

Bethel, Ohio, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$142,131, 30 September 2018

Gross USA:

$11,277,120

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$17,860,397

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fox Searchlight Pictures, Condé Nast Publications, Endgame Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1