The Old Man & The Gun

Official Australian release date: 15/11/18. Viewed: 11/11/18.

Director: David Lowery

Actors: Robert Redford, Sissy Spacek, Casey Affleck, Danny Glover

Genre: Crime / Drama

Rating: M

     

‘The Old Man & The Gun’ is Robert Redford’s final acting role. It’s not quite a fitting finale – he’s great as Forrest Tucker, the aging bank robber, but the overall film fall’s a little flat. Based on a true story, most of his exciting adventures and prison breaks are glossed over, in favour of him finding late-life love with (Spacek). He can’t curb his compulsion to rob banks however, and it assisted by Teddy (Glover) & Waller (Waits), but underutilised.

Detective Hunt (Affleck) is the Texas cop out to catch him – we also spend unnecessary amounts of time with his home-life. The chemistry between Redford and Spacek is good, and he’s still as charming as ever. Affleck plays an exhausted cop as almost too dreary. Instead of seeing any heist planning or prison breaks (besides a montage), we instead get Redford and Spacek talking in a diner, walking, or making tea.

Thankfully, it’s a quick 90min film, but the pacing and action could’ve been much better. Tehre’s some chuckles, but nothing hilarious. You’re better off re-watching ‘The Sting’!

Overall: Interesting true story, but lacklustre execution.

Gav's Rating: 2.5 stars.

Bohemian Rhapsody

Official Australian release date: 1/11/18. Viewed: 2/11/18.

Director: Bryan Singer

Actors: Rami Malek, Lucy Boynton, Gwilym Lee, Ben Hardy

Genre: Music / Drama

Rating: M

     

‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ is the story of Queen, one of England – and the world’s – greatest ever rock bands. More specifically, the film focuses predominantly on Freddie Mercury (Malek)’s life, genius and struggles. It must be said that Malek, his mannerisms and fake teeth are exceptionally close to the real-life Freddie.

The film is helped by not being 100% about their music, albums and touring, but also not spending excessive time with Freddie’s personal life. The other Queen members get their fair share of screen time – guitarist Brian May (Lee, uncannily similar), drummer Roger Taylor (Hardy) and bass player John Deacon (Mazello) – and have lots of good moments. Mary (Boynton) plays a key figure, being Freddie’s wife early on.

The film does delve into some of the trappings of celebrity that Freddie fell into, but does showcase Queen’s music superbly – the making of Bohemian Rhapsody, Another One Bites The Dust and We Will Rock You is fun and insightful. The climax of the film is Freddie seeing his parents and then an almost note-for-note replica of Queen’s Live Aid performance at Wembley Stadium and it’s superb.

Overall: Excellent if you like Queen, still great even if you somehow don’t.

Gav's Rating: 4 stars.