IMDb RATING
7.1/10
4.3K
YOUR RATING
Three friends living on the dole decide to rob a bank.Three friends living on the dole decide to rob a bank.Three friends living on the dole decide to rob a bank.
- Awards
- 1 win & 1 nomination total
Pamela Payton-Wright
- Kathy
- (as Pamela Payton Wright)
- Director
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- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Featured reviews
This is one of my favourite films. In takes turns as a comedy and as a drama. All three men play outstanding parts and the film balances itself quite well between funny to downright sad without ever going over the top. Definitely one to see.
Three elderly friends concoct a scheme to rob a bank...but what will they do with all that money? Although bank robbery is hardly endearing, director Martin Brest (doing very nimble work) glosses over the extremities and gives us George Burns, Art Carney and Lee Strasberg at their most amiable. Brest isn't afraid to be tender, but he's not maudlin and has a good sense of humor and pacing. Unfortunately, the screenplay loses steam in its third act, which gets gummed up with much realer issues and plot-snags (an unconvincing jaunt to Las Vegas is also weak). Up to that point, however, surprisingly good, with the three leads impeccably interacting. *** from ****
"Going In Style" is one of the more entertaining movies I've seen. The characters, Joe, Al and Willie exemplify the elderly male generation of our time. Three men who've partially lost their identities in no longer being able to carry on their vocations. As more and more of us will be moving into the retired or "seniors" group, this movie shows us both the problems of retirement and one very entertaining and interesting solution. All three characters are at an age which is too often ignored in motion pictures. Though basically this movie isn't exactly moral, it's a very good insight into the lives of its characters. Art Carney is an accomplished actor and George Burns was an accomplished entertainer. I'm not sure how many people know that Lee Strasberg was one of, if not the great teacher of dramatic acting during his lifetime. In "Going In Style," Strasberg, as the "not always up to speed" character Willie, is nevertheless often a bit of a surprise. All three men, portraying the various ways we age, give a beautiful performance, each in his own way. As a minor collector, I consider the motion picture the major art form of the past century. That's not to say that all the movies made during the last century are works or art, but quite often many were. It remains to be seen whether that tradition will be carried on into the new century before us. Whatever, I am very grateful for the gift of this movie and highly recommend it.
GOING IN STYLE is a sweet little film starring George Burns, Art Carney, and Lee Strasberg as a trio of oldsters struggling to survive on their pension money. They hit upon the idea of robbing a bank. What could go wrong? Filled with humor and heart and terrific performances. The Las Vegas scenes are a hoot. Burns and Carney especially deserved awards but the film got no attention until a remake surfaced in 2017. Despite its cast, the film forgot the heart.
Anyway, the 1979 film is a jewel. The amazing Burns was 83. When he met the 27-year-old director Martin Brest, he quipped, "I have neckties older than you." Burns and Carney had already won their Oscars by the time this was made. The scene where Burns goes thru his old box of photos (one shows him and Gracie Allen from the old days) is a killer.
Anyway, the 1979 film is a jewel. The amazing Burns was 83. When he met the 27-year-old director Martin Brest, he quipped, "I have neckties older than you." Burns and Carney had already won their Oscars by the time this was made. The scene where Burns goes thru his old box of photos (one shows him and Gracie Allen from the old days) is a killer.
This is #2 on my all time favorite movies list. It's a real hidden gem. It stars George Burns (in the performance of his career), the always brilliant Art Carney, and the excellent Lee Strasberg as three old senior citizens who decide to rob a bank out of boredom. Martin Brest who later went on to direct such fine films as MIDNIGHT RUN, SCENT OF A WOMAN, and BEVERLY HILLS COP has his debut film here and without a doubt it's still his best. The story is so original and the performances are so outstanding that this film is really a masterpiece in my eyes. It's funny, exciting, surprising, and extremely touching. The screen writer Tony Bill takes a unrealistic situation and makes it extremely realistic. The Queens backround is perfect. A great, hidden masterpiece of a movie.
Did you know
- TriviaWhere Joe (George Burns) is looking through his old photos and other memorabilia, he looks at a photo of a young couple, presumably Joe and his wife, and it makes him start to cry. The photo is actually a picture of Burns and his real (late) wife and legendary stage partner Gracie Allen.
- GoofsJoe and Al leave Kennedy Airport in full daylight - yet don't arrive in Las Vegas until well after dark, an impossibility for a direct flight heading five hours west during the summer months.
- How long is Going in Style?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official sites
- Language
- Also known as
- Stepping Out
- Filming locations
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- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $5,500,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $26,869,286
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $1,781,164
- Dec 30, 1979
- Gross worldwide
- $26,869,286
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