Movie Review: The Old Man and the Gun. The Most Charming Robber Ever.

Starring Robert Redford, Casey Affleck, Sissy Spacek, Donald Glover, Tom Waits, and Tika Sumpter
Theatrical Release: Friday, September 28, 2018
Written and Directed By David Lowery (Based on “The New Yorker” article by David Grann)
Produced By James D. Stern, Dawn Ostroff, Jeremy Steckler, Anthony Mastromauro, Bill Holderman, Toby Halbrooks, James M. Johnston, and Robert Redford
Distributed By Fox Searchlight
Rated PG-13
Run Time 93 min

Reviewer Rating: ★★★★★

There are actors and then there is Robert Redford. He can charm the clothes right off your back if you’re not careful (not that I think he would do that). As Forrest Tucker in The Old Man and the Gun, Redford absolutely steals the show with his charismatic smile and subtle compliments. Even when he’s robbing you, and then tells you, “You’re doing a great job,” I imagine I probably would have given him the money too. While director David Lowery admits the real true story is much “grittier” than the film portrays, The Old Man and The Gun is one of the most charming robbery films I’ve seen. I cannot recall another movie where the bank robber was more captivating. Redford’s portrayal not only steals the film, he cements himself, once again, as a timeless heartthrob.

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Going into the screening, I wasn’t familiar with this film; I know, shame on me. But once I read the premise, watched the trailer, and accepted the invite to the screening, I never imagined I would walk out of the film thinking, “I’d like to get robbed like that.” Forrest Tucker – at least the film version – is the nicest guy to ever hold up a bank. The fact that he successfully escapes from San Quentin at the tender age of 70 earns him accolades. I know we aren’t supposed to celebrate criminals but come on…senior citizen escaping in a small canoe he builds in the woodshop while incarcerated deserves applause. The Old Man and The Gun is set in the ‘80s and it was a simpler time back then. There wasn’t high-tech computerized technology to thwart a bold escape such as this.

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The supporting cast is also amazing. I may get raked over the coals for saying this but Casey Affleck’s performance as Detective John Hunt really surprised me. Despite the scandal dealing with harassment charges, I went into the screening trying to keep an open mind. I am critiquing his ability as an actor to effectively make me feel a certain way about the character he’s playing. Affleck’s attention to detail as the dogged police detective makes the cat and mouse chase between Hunt and Forrest that much more enticing. And Hunt’s dedication to his wife, played by the beautiful Tika Sumpter, and children, makes his portrayal that much more enriching.

The film is paced slower, almost methodical, in order to carefully introduce the nuances of the decade and locations of where all the robberies take place, but mostly to emphasize the intricacies of each character. The set design crew deserves an award for the intricate staging of all the various set locales. The radio in the wall alone had me smiling because I remember a friend having one in their house when I was a kid growing up in the best decade ever.

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While Hunt is based in Texas, his investigation leads him to many cities across the country. An unexpected revelation gives him the break he needs in the case now that the Feds have taken over the case. Throughout The Old Man and the Gun, the ‘cops and robbers’ vibe is extremely evident. Remember when a mustache and hat were all you needed to have a plausible disguise? I did find it a bit incredulous that the eye witness descriptions were so spot on, yet the authorities couldn’t find Forrest. After his extensive prison record, you would think someone, aside from Det. Hunt, would put the pieces together or at least recognize the man.

As mentioned, Forrest has two accomplices in the film version. Dubbed the “Over the Hill Gang” by authorities, Teddy (Danny Glover) and Waller (Tom Waits), also senior citizens, accompany Forrest on some of his holdups. Teddy and Waller sometimes act as diversions while Forrest goes in for the kill, so to speak. Most of the robberies in the film are quite benign, and while there are plenty of old men, the elusive gun isn’t seen until much later. There is always mention of a weapon but when the victims of the crimes are questioned, they can’t quite recall whether Forrest ever showed them a gun.

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Sissy Spacek, who plays Jewel, Forrest’s love interest, also shines in the film. Jewel meets Forrest on the side of the freeway where her truck breaks down. Forrest offers to help; however, he doesn’t know anything about fixing cars. The two have a sweet and tender romance that blossoms throughout the film. And while having a cup of coffee at a local diner, Forrest tells the truth about what he does for a living, but Jewel doesn’t believe him, well, sort of. Deep down she knows he is a bit of a scoundrel, but his charms woo her anyway.

Forrest loves the thrill of the heist. His painstaking hours of casing the banks, meticulously timing the guards’, tellers’, and managers’ movements aid him in plotting his crimes and ultimately executing his grand larceny. Forrest has an addiction – whether it’s to the adrenaline rush of committing the crime or the thrill of the police chase, or perhaps a combination of both, who knows? Either way, his whole life consists of committing petty crimes to grand theft, and most of his time spent behind bars or trying to break out.

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There is a lesson or two to be learned, one that I think Det. Hunt finds after his trip to San Francisco. Live life to the fullest and do what you love. Obviously, that should exclude harming others, etc. I think seeing Forrest live so boldly pushes Hunt to take another look at his life. Sometimes you have to say forget the alarm clocks and go have a night out with your wife; you never know who you’ll run into at the local coffee shop. (Wink wink).

The Old Man and the Gun is a captivating, endearing, and surprisingly amusing film. For lack of a better word, it’s delightfully charming.

Watch the trailer here.
Watch The Old Man and the Gun in theaters* Friday, September 28, 2018. *Check local listings.

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Judy Manning

Dream chaser extraordinaire! Judy tends to be a tad sarcastic and kind of goofy! She is an avid admirer of all things supernatural, paranormal, celestial and mystical. She loves to read, write, and watches way too much TV. She enjoys many genres of film and music (and let's be honest, most music from the 80s). She also has a wicked sweet tooth. Cupcakes beware.