THE OLD MAN AND THE GUN – A Review by Cynthia Flores
This caper film starring the eighty-two-year-old Robert Redford just may well get him a nomination for best actor at Oscar time. It’s directed by David Lowery who gave us the 2017 amazing metaphysical drama A Ghost Story. This time around he creates a film that has the aesthetic of the 60s/early 70s Hollywood films at their best. He’s using an all-star cast to tell the true story of Forrest Tucker (Robert Redford), who at the age of seventy led Teddy (Danny Glover) and Waller (Tom Waits) to successfully pull off a string of heists that confounded authorities and enchanted the public as “The Over The Hill Gang.”
The lead detective that figured out that the eighty plus bank robberies were being done by one group was John Hunt (Casey Affleck). The unhappy forty-year-old was stuck in a rut and bored with his life until the chance to catch this geriatric gang of thieves took over his life. He did his research and caught a break that would lead him, behind the FBI's back, to discover the fascinating story of Forrest whose life of crime and breaking out of jails started when he was just thirteen years old. The relationship between Forrest and John is a sweet one, steeped in an odd mix of respect and chicanery. These two actors play off each other wonderfully.
This film does a great job presenting Forest as the polite and friendly bank robber. You even get to see him start a new relationship with a woman he helps on the side of the road called Jewel (Sissy Spacek). It’s been too long since we have seen Sissy Spacek on the big screen and she lights it up. If ever there was a woman or a place that he could finally settle down and have a quiet life with it would be with her on her ranch. But will Forrest choose to take this road or stay on the one he’s been on his whole life perfecting his craft of thievery? You’ll have to see the movie to find out.
The Old Man And The Gun is fun and charming from the first frame to its last scene. It goes by fast at only an hour and thirty-three minutes. So if you’re already a Robert Redford fan, you will savor the chance to watch him shine on the big screen, and if you aren't then after this film, you will be. I give this movie a big A+ rating and hope you'll go and enjoy it soon.
Directed by David Lowery
Written By David Lowery, (Based on the article by) David Grann
Rated PG-13
Selig Rating A+
Running Time 1hr 33min
Crime Drama / Comedy
Limited Release October 5th Magnolia Theater, Cinemark West Plano
Starring: Robert Redford, Casey Affleck, Sissy Spacek, Danny Glover, Tom Waits
The Selig Rating Scale:
A – Excellent movie, well worth the price.
B – Good movie
C – OK movie
D – No need to rush. Save it for a rainy day.
F – Good that I saw it on the big screen but wish I hadn't paid for it.
