Going in Style

Joe, Al and Willie are three senior citizens who are tired of their mundane existence in the Big Apple. They share an apartment and try to save money any way they can, but inflation is still making it difficult for them to get by. Joe especially wants to find a way to end the monotony of their lives, and one day a thought strikes him: why don't they rob a bank? If they succeed, they'll be rich, and if they're caught, they'll be sent to jail where the state will provide them bed and board. Either way it's a win-win. Will Joe, Al and Willie pull off the caper, or will life deal the men yet another crushing blow?

Martin Brest's 'Going in Style' is a wickedly funny, poignant crime flick featuring sharp dialogue, brilliant performances and an original, unpredictable story. It is a portrait of the aging process that is both tender and cynical, about three men rebelling against a society that no longer respects or cares for them. Brest's screenplay is a biting, viciously witty treatise that is equal parts entertaining and affecting. It is most of all realistic- despite being filled with high comedy and borderline farcical moments, like the stick-up or a ridiculously successful trip to Vegas.

Billy Williams' cinematography is remarkably refined and naturalistic, unpretentious work that showcases his versatility behind the camera. Three years after shooting 'Going in Style', he would win the Academy Award for his grander, lusher work on Attenborough's 'Gandhi;' he was a malleable cinematographer whose style always suited the material perfectly. In addition, Carroll Timothy O'Meara and Robert Swink's editing is intuitive and flawless, adding unquestionable power to the film.

Michael Small's score is catchy and energetic, while also providing additional emotional impact in 'Going in Style's contemplative moments. The set design and decoration from Herbert F. Mulligan is impressive, with Joe, Al and Willie's apartment being most rich and convincing in texture and detail. Anna Hill Johnstone's costume design is also worth mentioning, capturing the down-at-heels nature of the central trio shrewdly.

George Burns stars as Joe, the main character, and has arguably never given a better performance on the silver screen. He showcases emotional depth and range that is so powerful, so natural; you wonder why he waited until he was 79 to start playing characters other than himself. He brings boundless energy and life to Joe, as well as righteous anger at the modern world with its' indignities and difficulties. He also makes the character wholly sympathetic and believable.

Burns once quipped "acting is all about honesty. If you can fake that, you've got it made." After watching him in 'Going in Style', you'll surely agree that he was one of cinema's greatest fakers. His is a touching, affecting performance that is most memorable and utterly compelling.

Art Carney and Lee Strasberg co-star as Al and Willie, respectively, and both are fantastic. Carney's Al is a good-natured fellow, and they couldn't have cast a more likable, charming or intelligent performer for the role. He comes across like the old uncle you always wanted, the kind who'd slip you sweets during dinner and tell jokes everyone in the family would laugh at.

Strasberg is the most bitter and grouchy of the three, but shows such emotional depth and vulnerability that you fully understand the character. A scene involving him reminiscing about his son is one of the single finest pieces of acting ever put to film. When you have Burns, Carney and Strasberg together- as well as strong supporting performances from the likes of Charles Hallahan and Pamela Payton-Wright- it's a truly unforgettable experience.

'Going In Style' is a brilliant, highly entertaining crime caper, as well as being a barbed examination of the process of aging. Featuring three strong performances from Burns, Carney and Strasberg and assured cinematography from Billy Williams, the film is not to be missed. Burns once said "you can't help getting older, but you don't have to get old." After watching the antics he and his pals get up to in 'Going in Style;' you'll see just how true that epigram is.

George Burns was truly one of the most amazing entertainers of all time. For almost forty years, he was part of the comedy team of Burns and Allen and then after Gracie passed away, he was forgotten for many years, however, he made one of the most amazing comebacks in Hollywood history when he played Al Lewis in The Sunshine Boys. Can you imagine this amazing achievement? George was 79 years old when this film was made and had never really "acted" in the traditional sense of playing an imaginary role, and yet he won an Academy Award for best supporting actor!!!The Book Of Lists mentioned this as one of the most amazing accomplishments ever at an advanced age!!Then George played another great role in the "Oh God" series. This man defied belief! Going In Style was in a sense his first "dramatic" role and he pulled it off with equal brilliance! Yes this was not a happy film to watch. In fact, I was 11 when my dad took me to see it and he commented that it was basically a very depressing story about three old men waiting to die. George has two fine co-stars in Art Carney and Lee Strasburg (who was one of the most legendary acting coaches of all time). Strasburg's role is small and he dies early on and leaves the show to Art and George. They pull it off wonderfully! It is a joy watching these two old pros at work. I wrote to Art Carney several years ago and asked him what it was like working with George Burns and he told me that George was a joy to work with and a real pro and one of the nicest people he ever worked with! They must have had a ball doing this film and it certainly shows! Even though George masterminded a bank robbery and it showed him holding a gun,it all seemed so innocent and nice. Martin Brest directed this film, he has had a wildly uneven career, but this was one of his outstanding early efforts, he later went on to direct the blockbuster Beverly Hills Cop and also directed the recent bomb of all time Gigli. However, Going In Style is a fine film ,even though its not a happy viewing experience. I think that the saddest scene in the film is where George is looking thru some old photos of himself as a young man and breaks down crying and wets himself. It is a very hard scene to watch indeed.

Martin Brest is best known for his popular successes BEVERLY HILLS COP, MIDNIGHT RUN and SCENT OF A WOMAN, but more recently his career made a bit of a tumble with the disastrous GIGLI (2003), starring Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez and snoozefest (and trying so hard to be 'profound') MEET JOE BLACK (1998), but this little gem is how he got noticed (and might even be his best effort yet).

The story is simple: three kindly old men (George Burns, Art Carney and Lee Strasberg), indistinguishable from the half-forgotten ranks of senior citizens you might pass on any city park bench in warm weather, decide to light up their lives by sticking up a Manhattan bank in broad daylight.

Don't be put off by the idea of 'three old guys robbing a bank.' This film is a delight in a very New York and very low-key fashion with hardly any grand scenes or set-ups, but with great writing, sharp dialog and the three leads giving their very best. Although the film was marketed as a comedy, it's above all a heartfelt drama and a truly moving portrayal of old age.

One of the highlights: when the three seniors are on a little trip to Manhattan and Art Carney starts dancing to the rhythms some Caribbean Street musicians. It's such a marvel to see 80-year old George Burns clapping and smiling and genuinely having fun at this improvised street scene. It's a shame this film is practically forgotten. A heartfelt, funny, and ultimately a very moving picture. Don't miss this one.

Camera Obscura --- 9/10

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.

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 ****