Going in Style

"Going in Style (2017) is a professionally produced crime comedy about three lifelong friends who have fallen on hard times through the loss of their pension. Their plan to fix their financial woes comes in the form of a bank robber of their own personal bank that happens to control their pension. This is the second time I have watched this film and I love it every time. It is a reminder that there are good friends in the world that will go through the business with you. It also helps that some of my favorite actors are in the film. This is an overall great film and very sound technically.

For a comedy, the cinematography was surprising at how gripping it was in just the opening scene. The angles of the camera provided a glorious look into the bank that was far from boring. Director Zach Braff must have had the easiest job working with actors Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, and Alan Arkin, which allowed him to be so creative in his shot selection and editing choices because the acting was so great. I believe the story is very strong, only because it is a comedy. I don't think it would be feasible to make a realistic heist movie with limited mobility elderly. Overall, I think this film is great and would recommend it to all that want to know what real friendship looks like.

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

The new film, GOING IN STYLE, is the equivalent of eating a Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Tomato Soup on a cold, rainy Sunday afternoon - very familiar, very welcome and very comforting.  It's not going to win any Academy Awards or change the course of movie history, but this film delivers - competently and professionally - what it promises to deliver with no fuss and no muss.

Starring film veterans Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman and Alan Arkin, GOING IN STYLE tells the story of how these three are pressed against the wall, financially, and their last resort is to rob a bank to get the money they need.

And...it's fun...not hilarious...not groundbreaking, but fun.  Caine, Freeman and Arkin believably play 3 long time friends who are nearing the end.  There is a comfort there with each other and it was pleasant to spend time with them.  Joining them was the one and only Ann- Margret and the always fun Christopher Lloyd (in, hands down, the best performance and most interesting character in the film).

Notice, I've used the words comforting, pleasant and pleasing.  I did NOT use the words groundbreaking, hilarious or epic.  I certainly enjoyed myself and am glad I saw it.

And you will too, whether you see this film in the movie theater or run across it as you are lying on the couch some rainy Sunday afternoon.

Letter Grade:  a solid "B"

7 (out of 10) stars and you can take that to the Bank (of Marquis)

Going in Style isn't one of those typical "let's make fun of old people" films. Yes, it has a few gags about old age, but the majority of the film is just about three men, who happen to have white hair. Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, and Alan Arkin are three friends barely making ends meet. Morgan can't afford to visit his family, Michael's in danger of losing his home, and Alan clips coupons along with many other retirees whose Social Security doesn't cover all expenses. After Michael is present during a bank robbery, he comes up with the idea of robbing a bank himself, with a little help from his friends.

Michael and Morgan are given the most acting to do, since Alan is mainly the comic relief, and they are wonderful. They could have easily written the film off as a silly comedy and thrown their lines away, but both of them put their whole hearts behind their performances. Joining the supporting cast is Ann-Margaret, who inexplicably has a crush on Alan Arkin instead of the dreamy Michael Caine. She's basically the same as she was in Grumpy Old Men, but it's nice to see her still in circulation. Matt Dillon, who hasn't aged a day since Crash, Josh Pais, Christopher Lloyd, and Richie Moriarty also have small but memorable parts.

These days, it's extremely expensive to go to the theaters, and we often find ourselves saying, "Eh, I'll just rent it." I went to the theaters to see Going in Style, and it was worth every cent. This movie is hilarious, heartwarming, and extremely entertaining. If you just want to laugh at old people, go rent Dirty Grandpa or Last Vegas. But if you're looking for three Academy Award winning actors in a very sweet story, better acting than you'd expect in a comedy, and a film that respects older actors, this is one of the best.

The best part about this movie is seeing Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, and Alan Arkin all on screen together. They have fantastic chemistry, and you really feel like their characters have actually been friends for 30+ years. They just glow on screen, and seeing them riff on each other and have a good time made for me to have a good time as well. They all gave great performances. The supporting cast was also really good. It was fun to see Christopher Lloyd pop up in a film again. We also got see some good performances from Kenan Thompson and Ann-Margret. Look, with this movie, there are no revolutionary jokes. It's everything you would expect there to be. I do tend to prefer edgier comedy than this, but I made my peace with it the second the first joke hit. This isn't meant to be a Seth Rogen kind of comedy. This is supposed to just be a fun, light- hearted, feel-good comedy, and it was really good for what it was...