The Old Man (TV Series 2022– ) Poster

(2022– )

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9/10
Character actors or movie stars? Whatever they are, they're at the top of their game
dfloro17 June 2022
In 6 months, Jeff Bridges will turn 73 years old. Indeed, he is an old man. His character makes those grunting noises from the effort of arising in the morning, and you also overhear a very sporadic urine stream in the middle of the night. Starting in Peter Bogdanovich's seminal "The Last Picture Show," Bridges continued to build an enviable career out of numerous carefully drawn roles, each one truly unique and most of them more memorable than the last. He was finally awarded his long overdue Best Actor Oscar for "Crazy Heart" a few years ago, and then last year we almost lost him because of CoVID-19. But he's back as a beat-up old ex-spy and is perfect for and in this latest complex part.

In 4 months, John Lithgow will be 77 years old. Also by most narrow definitions, an old man. Is he the obvious villain of this story, or might he actually be the hero? You are never quite sure with a Lithgow character, and this one's no exception.

Supporting roles for such long-time pros as Amy Brenneman and Joel Gray are also well written and, of course, superbly well performed. But no mistake: this miniseries totally belongs to the one and only Jeff Bridges. And by extension, to all of us who remain his long-time fans more than a half century later. Not to be missed. 9/10.
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8/10
Solid Spy Series!
Rob13314 January 2023
The Old Man is a spy thriller that is absolutely worth watching! Jeff Bridges is as terrific as always and does an incredible job making you believe he's still a bad ass at 72! His dogs steal every scene they're in and remind me of the dogs from John Wick. The rest of the cast all are at the top of their game here too, especially John Lithgow (who rarely disappoints). I know there are a lot of really good spy shows out there to choose from but this has everything you want from a spy thriller and should definitely be seen. I'm really looking forward to more and recommend this to anyone who's a fan of spy thrillers.
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8/10
Entertaining (Love the Dogs)
Supermanfan-134 January 2023
I was really looking forward to watching The Old Man ever since I saw the first trailer trailer. I'm a fan of spy thrillers and Jeff Bridges so I had high expectations going in. Well, it not only met those expectations but exceeded them in every way. The acting, writing, directing, etc. Are all as good as it gets, FX always puts out great content and this show is no different. The only bad thing about this show is we have to wait a week between episodes, I wish they released all them at once like they do on Netflix but since it's on Network tv I get it. Binge watching has ruined me because I just hate waiting a week between episodes now. I'm definitely looking forward to season two of this and just hope it continues to be as good as this season was.
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10/10
Jeff Bridges is 72 years old and never ceases to be amazing!
UniqueParticle17 June 2022
Very well directed by Jon Watts the director of recent Spider-Man trilogy and a horror movie called Clown all of which are excellent too! The Old Man starts off gloriously with the acting, intriguing story and suspense are so good. I'm ready for more maybe without commercials though.
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9/10
Love the dogs!!
bheadher17 June 2022
Warning: Spoilers
There is very little not to like about this series really...between Jeff Bridges and John Lithgow we have a winner here. I'm not sure where the SciFi comes in yet, but the intrigue and mystery have me on the edge of my seat. Frankly, whoever did the writing is a genius...

The two dogs bring an extra dimension to this outing, well trained and absolutely loyal to Jeff...you can't help but love their role in all this...
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6/10
Dialogue theatrics didn't cut it in the end
julieshotmail23 July 2022
Warning: Spoilers
"The Old Man" begins like a mysterious poem, backed by the acting powerhouses of Jeff Bridges, John Lithgow, and those beautiful Rottweilers. We hear some eloquent dialogue and get treated to impressive long-cut scenes like the 5-minute smackdown between the 72-year-old Bridges and a young actor in episode 1. The show is captivating and we want more by episode 3. Unfortunately the dialogue theatrics become roundabout ramblings testing our patience. In the end, the answers fall flat and are anti-climactic, making it unnecessary for the show to take so long to get to the point. Other things introduced ultimately also become unnecessary such as the Zoe character. Yes, she injects some sass, mystery, and drama, but ultimately she is discarded and you realize that the main storyline could still get on without her, and all of those episodes with her are just a waste of time.
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9/10
Damn!
silence-2617 June 2022
Now that was a first episode if there ever was one.

Terrific to see Bridges looking well and in such great form. Lithgow, as always, a treasure.

This is going to be fun!
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6/10
Started strong then glacially s l o w.
joecnh26 July 2022
Had high hopes, but 65% is overdrawn dialogue and reaction shots. We get the point, they're scared/concerned/angry. No need for the oversell. Episode 1-2 showed promise, but it seems they didn't discard any edits to help string the series out.

They should play this to insomniacs that don't respond to standard medication.
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9/10
Superb acting and Writing
robfollower17 June 2022
The first two episodes are superb. So far the casting is excellent in the series s The style of acting is very well done by the seasoned Pros Jeff Bridges is fantastic in The Old Man, as is John Lithgow. Amy Frederica Brenneman was what this shows needs; an air of mystery in her character Amy brings it just like she did in HBO's The Leftovers. Her sense of vulnerability play so well with Jeff Bridges even when Jeff wants to get the "hell out of dodge" he is drawn to Zoe McDonald, Amy character there is real chemistry as the two actor play off one another. The Old Man has extremely intelligent writing being raised up by the talent of The Ensemble. This thriller is going in some intriguing directions , I am very keen to watch how this series unfolds ! This is excellent network television . I cant wait till next episode ! Premiere episodes 8/10.
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6/10
Could have been much more!
From the beginning, I thought this would be great.... 2e episode... not bad, and as Zoe joined the cast, it got boring. The story was about the old man... not Zoe AND the old man. He seemed to have gotten attached too fast to her. The other thing that bothered me was that Jeff Bridges was too old for this role. He had just recovered - in real life - from sickness... and it showed. I lovvve Bridges - its what got me there.

I loved John Lithgow. Always did. And I loved the dogs. But Zoe didnt belong there. And the whole story got long and boring. I didnt finish it. I left it on the airplane.
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8/10
A decent modern show!? Incredible first 2 episodes
Hazu2918 June 2022
Guys, maybe this is it... After disappointment after disappointment, maybe we finally have a great TV show in 2022. What a breath of fresh air. Pure entertainment, great writing, great acting. So far, it's a great show, let's hope it stays that way. So happy to finally watch something created in 2022 with quality. Thank you.
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6/10
Amy Brennamen is exquisitely awful!
nvenom2 July 2022
Amy B ruins what is otherwise a great story with great casting. Bridges and Lithgow are outstanding! Unfortunately, I'm having an increasingly hard time staying engaged since the introduction of Amy B.
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4/10
A Strong Start, But Soon Becomes A Soap Opera With Forced Characters
dk77711 July 2022
Excellent cast, interesting concept and characters, everything looked like that in the first three episodes, only to be disappointed again with the usual flaws of today's "modern film production".

After the third episode, the show becomes what we are used to seeing today, the script suddenly deteriorates because the producers demand certain things and they must be included in the plot, no matter how artificial and unrealistic it looks.

What looked like an interesting action thriller suddenly turned into a soap opera with forced characters.

The cast is excellent, especially Jeff Bridges and John Lithgow. They really faithfully transfer their characters to the screen. Jeff Bridges is interesting and believable as an aging but dangerous character.

It's a shame, with such a good cast, the show could have been something really special, but as usual, the writers and producers ruined it very quickly.
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8/10
A great show.
jamesart-439-5377403 January 2023
A great show that benefits from every second Jeff Bridges is on-screen.

When it drifts off into sub stories and the like, it loses some of its depth and gravitas a little.

A real example of how having a true actor of calibre and depth like Jeff Bridges can add enormously to a movie, mini series or TV show.

John Lithgow adds incredible support and also brings a lot to the table.

Overall I thought the show has a great premise, fascinating storyline and great acting across the board.

The interplay of past and present and how the past can circle back on you is critical, especially when we make decisions in the past when we are young and strong but those decision come back to haunt us when we are older and weaker.

Great, entertaining show.

Just . . . More Jeff Bridges.
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10/10
Elder Jason Bourne
joostice18 June 2022
But done right. The exhaustion and pain in the fighting scenes are spot on. Anyone who has been in a real street brawl with life at stake knows how fake and nonsense most tv fight scenes are. Only a few shows have ever gotten it right. This is one of them. Another notable realistic tv fight scene was in Deadwood, Hearst's man vs Swearengen's man, the emotion, exhaustion, and desperation. A real drag down brawl is a slog, not a dance.

Anyway. Top rate actors, Bridges and Lithgow, and realism make a generic plot exceptional. Well done.
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6/10
Starts strong, in a lull by episode 5
leightoncash17 July 2022
This show starts super strong with great actions and a slow roll out of backstory that leaves you very intrigued. Once you are caught up by episode 4, things aren't going so well. Lithgow and Bridges are excellent. Shawcat is kind of a boat anchor, delivering every line almost in monotone. None of the characters are particularly endearing. As the plot development and action slows down after a few episodes, a lot of awkward dialogue fills its place. It seems clear that the writers were trying to recreate the style of The Counselor, screenplay written by Cormac McCarthy, but not doing such a great job. The more literary style of the The Counselor left a lot of viewers confused. How much more so will a bad copy.

I'll keep watching, hoping things get better.
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10/10
Cheering for the dogs!
sgguru17 June 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Imagine what John Wick will have to do when he retires? Jeff Bridges' character's back story slowly unfolds to become a fast-paced action tale that keeps your interest. His two dogs have some skills that remind me of the ones in John Wick II. The anticipation as you wait for them to save the day, when all looks bleak for our hero, is rewarded. Cheers for the beasts! All the other reviewers have given you the solid truth about how great this cast is. I can't tell you how eager I was to come to this page to read other's reviews and to write something after watching the first episode a few hours ago. I'm saving the second episode for tonight. It's the first exciting new action series I've seen this year. I can't wait until Amy's character comes alive in future episodes. She sounds like a chip off her old man, a real badass. FX has a way of creating memorable series like Fargo, and this one is going to be praised by the critics, and win some awards too.
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6/10
Show gets worse and worse every epiaode
joshplewis9 July 2022
Good start, interesting idea that goes downhill. Show becomes more and more unbelievable and unrealistic with every episode. Afghani backstory is boring, the financier element is so far-fetched, Amy B's acting is horrible.
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9/10
Exquisite
coleektorrd17 June 2022
This is one of those rare slowly unfolding gems with high-quality actors. One of my new favorites plays a Young Jeff Bridges. The same guy who played a young Mickey Donovan.
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6/10
Overrated
thegreenteaman19 July 2022
Some really good things: acting, cinematography, premise, atmosphere, etc. The problem is when it comes to a spy thriller, you need cleverness, but The Old Man has too many plot holes. When super spies behave as if untrained, you no longer have a spy thriller. This is an action flick, at best.
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9/10
First episode was amazing!
deepc18517 June 2022
I hope the rest of this series lives up to the brilliance of the first episode! Jeff Bridges and John Lithgow haven't lost a step in their acting abilities. Can't wait for the rest of the season!
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6/10
Tired Script
patricia-haertlein15 July 2022
I watched this miniseries because of Jeff Bridges and John Lithgow. They never disappoint, but the plot and script sure did. So much of the plot was full of holes, and the supporting cast often came off as wooden. A thriller like this should never leave an audience bored at times. Sadly, this did for me.
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5/10
Weighed Down and Slowed Down Too Much
AudioFileZ16 July 2022
The Old Man has a good bit going for it. Namely Jeff Bridges, John Lithgow, and the intrigue of a spy story with problems on all sides.

Sounds good and starts well. The heavy story however weighs on the viewer for both understanding and patience.

I think this series over-reached trying to be deeply mysterious and complicated. Sophisticated story telling doesn't have to be this complex. It takes away from the very realism that The Old Man is selling.

For some this may be a plus, but the bottom line is I'm 6 episodes in and I have no handle on what's going on. The calculated slowness has worn out my patience instead of being fondly hooked in. I'll try to keep watching but it's not very compelling.
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9/10
Keep It Up! (love the first 2 episodes).
daniel-kyle17 June 2022
The last time I saw a production this good, it was David Mamet's Spartan (2004, with Val Kilmer). I could have sworn Mamet must be involved here (he isn't), but the writers did an excellent job adapting a Thomas Perry stand alone novel which I have not read.

The actors, naturally, are superb. I'm sure glad Jeff Bridges is the most fit 70-something this side of Clint Eastwood, clothed appearances to the contrary. Lithgow, Brenneman, and some lesser know actors deliver great performaces as well.

Most surprising is the directing, which is excellent as well considering the past experience of the director was some CGI-laden Spiderman movies. This guy knows how to do his job very well! So well, you must turn the sound off on a repeat viewing if you want to truly notice it - the sure test of a solid movie (though the soundtrack here is very complimentary).

An absolute 10/10 from me. While familiar enough not to lose viewers, it is necessary to pay attention, especially when few words are spoken. There is some necessary exposition, and requisite action and violence, but this is so far removed from the normal "ex spy" tropes that it is rewarding for fans of the genre. If you like Amazon's Jack Ryan, this ain't it....
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9/10
I love where this is going, Season Two Please?
sbc-6181810 December 2022
Above and beyond any other review I can compose about The Old Man (2022) is that Alia Shawkat can act. This young lady could carry a series on her own. Having seasoned veterans along for the ride like Jeff Bridges, John Lithgow, and Amy Brenneman fills this out nicely. As a more seasoned citizen that I care to admit, every time Dan Chase wins in another unlikely situation I feel a little vicarious success. Season One of The Old Man has a lot going for it in terms of a solid story line, an amazing way of rolling the story out with the well acted and spaced flashbacks. Above all else, I want them to continue this series so we can see how many times who The Old Man that the title is referring to actually is. Thus far, we have had my guess for who that title roll actually is change as we discover more. In Order Dan is the solidly the title character until Harold takes over. Then in a phone call or two Morgan takes over the title roll. Things bounce back a forth until we find Faraz in that title roll drivers seat. This makes a great series as the story gets deeper and deeper. I am anxiously awaiting HULU's release of season two of this gem.
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