Going in Style (1979)

Director:

Martin Brest

Writers:

Edward Cannon (story)
Martin Brest (writer)

Release Date:

December 1979 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

Meet three guys with an outrageous plan to beat the system ...

Plot:

Three friends who are living on the dole decide to organize a bank robbery.

Plot Keywords:

Friend | Robbery | Bank Robbery | Unlikely Criminal | Caper

Awards:

1 win

Cast

George Burns	...	Joe
Art Carney	...	Al
Lee Strasberg	...	Willie
Charles Hallahan	...	Pete
Pamela Payton-Wright	...	Kathy
Siobhan Keegan	...	Colleen
Brian Neville	...	Kevin
Constantine Hartofolis	...	Boy in Park
Mary Testa	...	Teller
Jean Shevlin	...	Mrs. Fein
James Manis	...	Hot Dog Vendor
Tito Goya	...	Gypsy Cab Driver
William Pabst	...	Bank Guard
Christopher Wynkoop	...	Bank Manager
John McComb	...	Businessman in Bank

Runtime:

97 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:L | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Australia:PG | USA:PG | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Kaufman Astoria Studios - 3412 36th Street, Astoria, Queens, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

In the scene where Joe (George Burns) is looking through his old photos and other memorabilia, he looks at a photo of a young couple - presumably Joe and his wife - and it makes him start to cry. The photo is actually a picture of George Burns and his real (late) wife Gracie Allen. They were a famous show business team from vaudeville through early television. She died in 1964.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: The license plate on the hearse is the same as the license plate on the car in which Art Carney's niece and nephew picks Art Carney up in after they hear the unfortunate news.

Quotes:

Willie: What if we get shot?
[silence]
Joe: What's the difference?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Remington Steele: Steele Blue Yonder (#4.15)" (1986)

'How would you guys like to go on a stick-up with me?'

Martin Brest is best known for his popular successes BEVERLY HILLS COP, MIDNIGHT RUN and SCENT OF A WOMAN, but more recently his career went into free fall. With his last two films he made a complete mockery of himself with the disastrous GIGLI (2003), starring Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez, and before that, he was responsible for MEET JOE BLACK (1998), starring Brad Pitt, which was slayed by the critics, and a box office failure, so it's safe to assume his career is effectively over by now. But back in 1979 he made this delightful little film, for which who also co-wrote the script.

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.' The film is a delight. Very New York and very low-key with hardly any grand scenes or set-ups, but there's great writing and the three leads give such great performances, it plays very smoothly. 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. Very simple, unpretentious, but funny, insightful and ultimately a very moving picture. A rare combination. Don't miss this one.

Camera Obscura --- 9/10