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.