Hollywood veterans Sir Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman and Alan Arkin unite for this modern remake of the classic 1970s movie Going In Style, a fairly generic though sometimes sweet tale of a trio of pensioners who decide to rob a bank to bump up their pensions.
Caine plays the central role of Joe, a seventy-something former factory worker who is living with his daughter and granddaughter in present day Brooklyn. We’re introduced to the character in his local bank, the OAP seemingly having a few money worries after defaulting on his mortgage payments. Joe is met with dead ends and personal mocking from his bank manager – a devilish Josh Pais – and finds himself caught up in an armed robbery, which plays out before his eyes. After reuniting with his lifelong friends and fellow factory workers Willie (Freeman) and Albert (Arkin), Joe tells them of his horrible ordeal. The two listen sympathetically whilst kicking back, watching an episode of The Bachelorette on the evening before they discover that they too are in for their own financial turmoil after their company cancels their pensions. The three come together to hatch a plan to solve their money strifes for good – they too will rob a bank taking just enough cash to set them up for the rest of their days.
Going In Style is a remake of the film of the same name, a 1979 comedy starring screen greats George Burns, Art Carney and Lee Strasberg, and this modern-day re-imagining also boasts quite the talent. As well as the undeniable greats before the camera, the remake has some exciting people behind hit. Zach Braff furthers his directing career following impressive indies Garden State and Wish You Were Here with his first proper studio movie, and indeed his most commercial film to date. There’s also Theodore Melfi adapting the earlier work, the screenwriter following on from his impressive turn with this year’s awards-magnet Hidden Figures. With added acting support from screen legends Ann-Margret and Christopher Lloyd, as well as Matt Dillon as a hapless detective, you have all the ingredients for a solid picture, which it is to some extent.
Most of the positives in the new version of Going In Style are because of the performances of the three leads, particularly Caine as Joe. The British acting legend creates a sympathetic character; a relatable, doting grandfather with only kindness in his heart and is a joy to watch all of the way through. Freeman and Alda come across as more of supporting entity, though both are fine in their respective parts, one a lonely old man whose family has long moved away from the neighbourhood, and the other a lifelong cynical, grumpy old bachelor who keeps having shake off the advances of Margret’s local supermarket worker. Lloyd is wonderful in a completely off-the-charts turn as Milton – a definite stand-out in the limited scenes that he pops up in.
The film is definitely funny in places, and raised more than one laugh-out-loud moment in our screening, but Melfi’s script is also rather problematic. It all feels very generic and paint-by-numbers throughout, and while it is tons of fun, sweet-natured and very easy to watch, if offers nothing new in terms of approach and pay-off. While the three actors are excellent in their roles, they are very wasted here and it is easy to imagine how good they could have been should there have been some meatier dialogue and stronger plot-themes to feed off.
One too can’t help but feel that Braff too is above this. With those two previous movies under his belt, both of which delivered in spades with lots of heart, it’s hard to see why he opted for this as his next career move. True, his stamp is all over it, but more from the point of view of his earlier Scrubs days in terms of humour, rather than the indie sensibilities of his earlier, impressive directorial career.
I’m not in the camp of those that feel that this is a terrible movie – it’s far from it, as I almost guarantee you’ll have a decent enough time with it – it’s just that I was hoping for so much more. A disappointment, but far from a total misfire.
Extra features: Feature commentary by Zach Braff and deleted scenes.
