Review: The Old Man & The Gun

Robert Redford stars as a 74 year-old bank robber and prison escape artist who just can’t stop himself from plying his trade no matter how old and hard-of-hearing he may be. It’s a life he’s been on since he was 15 years-old. Now with his similarly aging ‘Over the Hill Gang’ accomplices (played by Danny Glover and Tom Waits), Redford is a thorn in the side of determined cop Casey Affleck. Meanwhile, Redford spends the rest of his time talking sweet with a widowed rancher (Sissy Spacek), who doesn’t believe him when he calmly explains that he’s a bank robber.

 

This 2018 geriatric true-crime story from writer-director David Lowery seems like classic Clint Eastwood territory – think “Escape From Alcatraz” meets “The Mule” – but Robert Redford (“The Hot Rock”, “Brubaker”, and “Sneakers”) turns out to be the star of this one. He’s a very fine choice, and certainly more ingratiating company than Eastwood would’ve likely been. Looking older than one of those ancient turtles that live in their hundreds, Redford (whom Lowery directed in the subpar “Pete’s Dragon” remake) is still a charming bastard here. His nonchalant, folksy attitude during a robbery is pretty amusing in this lightly humorous fact-based story. It's a fun time and Redford seems to be enjoying himself playing a gentleman robber. The film moves at a nice clip, too. The downside to that is that we don’t really get to know his accomplices (played by Danny Glover and Tom Waits) well enough to matter, though Waits at least emerges through sheer force of personality.

 

The only major flaw here is Casey Affleck’s mumbly, annoying turn. I normally don’t mind him, but he’s insufferable here. Sissy Spacek however, is lovely in support. She and Redford seem perfect together, and the film still gets the job done, albeit only just.

 

It's a bit slighter than I would’ve liked, but this easy and breezy caper with a geriatric bent is entertaining enough. Redford is terrific. A very soft recommendation.

 

Rating: B-

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