The Old Man & the Gun: Movie Review

Two years ago, writer/director David Lowery gave us one of the best remakes in recent history with his updated “Pete’s Dragon”. It is such a likable film with a whole lot of heart.  One thing that I loved about that film was the casting of Robert Redford as the grandfather. Once again, Lowery and Redford team up, however, the veteran actor and his co-star Sissy Spacek are the only elements that work well in “The Old Man & the Gun”.  I couldn’t imagine finding much to like about the film if Redford wasn’t cast as the ageing bank robber, Forrest Tucker.

Set in the early 1980’s, “The Old Man & the Gun” tells the true story of Forrest Tucker, a 70+ year-old bank robber, who has broken out of 16 prisons and robbed a whole lot more banks. Even more fascinating is that Tucker robs each bank with a smile, while managing to put his targets at ease. Early in “Old Man”, we see Tucker, along with his partners, Teddy (Danny Glover) and Waller (Tom Waits) rob a bank without a single customer even realizing. This doesn’t bode well for detective John Hunt (Casey Affleck) who is one of the bank customers.  Hunt doesn’t find out until after the fact when his fellow officers show up on the scene. Naturally Hunt now wants to find out who the bank robbers are and catch them.

While trying to evade police, Tucker pulls over and pretends to help a woman stuck on the side of the road. Her name is Jewel (Spacek) and it doesn’t take long for Tucker to fall for her.  Redford and Specek have great chemistry together and the film is at its’ best when focused on their budding twilight relationship. However, the single best moment in “Old Man” involves the first encounter between Hunt and Tucker. It is an absolutely, wonderful moment and the way Affleck handles the scene is what really makes it work.

As many are aware, “Old Man” is supposed to be Redford’s swan song, as he plans to retire, and this is the role he was meant to play.  Lowery is without a doubt a gifted filmmaker and he delivers some great looking shots throughout.  “Old Man” looks like a film right out of the time it is set in.  I just wish I was more entertained by the story and events that were unfolding. “Old Man” is not bad in any way and fans of Redford should give this one a look, but don’t expect much more than some fine performances and a little charm.

By: Marc Ferman