Film Review: Going In Style
If the cast was anything to go by, I knew Going in Style was going to be a hell of a film in the way that it would keep viewers chortling the whole way through. I wasn’t disappointed.
Going in Style is a modern remake of a 1979 film by the same name which starred George Burns, Art Carney and Lee Strasberg. The 2017 version replaces drama with more comedy and some of the best actors of our time: Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine and Alan Arkin. The film exhibits a turn to the life of crime for three characters: Willie (Morgan Freeman), Joe (Michael Caine) and Albert (Alan Arkin) as they become fed up with the system that’s stealing their jobs, pensions and houses. They enlist the help of some ‘dodgy types’, daring to hit the very bank that’s causing all of their problems. The film is led by its brilliant actors but does not disappoint in other aspects either, the plot and chronology all carefully crafted to keep surprising you when you least expect it.
It’s a light-hearted and truly funny film that will brighten any mood. The people around me ranged from their teenage years to perhaps ages exceeding those on-screen and all left with smiles on their faces. It would go well with a bottle of wine, some good friends and alongside films such as ‘The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’. It’s a sweet escape, simple, humble, an old friend. You don’t have to think, it’s not difficult to pay attention and it gives a good laugh.
It’s no surprise that the film succeeds at light comedy as its director Zach Braff is clearly known for his sense of humour from Scrubs. His own acting style, smart ass and sarcastic comes across in the three characters quips, “We’re going to need professional help.” “You think?” as they weigh up the pros and cons of robbing a bank. But the audience is thankfully left in no doubt about their true intentions. The film doesn’t promote crime but rather points ridiculously at the systems that can and do fail people so devastatingly, drawing on the broad themes of economic unrest that are relatable all over the place at the moment. Although they go far, to the point of crime, you can’t help but empathize with the three endearing and hilarious guys on the screen while hating on the cops and security guards who stand in their way.
Going in Style fulfilled expectations, even squeezing tears and gasps from the audience with twists they did not see coming, a hallmark of a well thought out movie. Though it follows a fairly simple plot: three disgruntled old guys rob a bank to take back what they’ve lost, the film’s magic lies in the way it keeps the audience’s attention. You naturally assume, due to their blunders and inability to make it back to the getaway car in less than 2 minutes that the new crooks will fail horrifically. Only much later when their alibis are set out in hilarious detail does the viewer become aware of how much work they actually put into the heist. While it seemed like a bit of a joke, they were stringing the audience along the whole time which had a nice effect and left audience members grinning.
Although sticking to a light comedic tone, the film does attempt to highlight deeper issues such as Joe losing his house, the three men losing the security of their pensions and Willie facing serious medical issues. These run threads throughout the whole movie without being the main focus, they are catalysts. It appears Braff chose not to focus on these too heavily or narrow them down. However, I think this was a smart choice. By showing small emotional moments such as the skype call to Willie’s granddaughter the depth of the things that are at stake are made very clear. We don’t need to see three men collapsing under the weight of everything they’re dealing with. Because generally, this isn’t what happens in life anyway. Instead, Braff shows their resilience, and that under a lighthearted exterior, more can be going on. Similarly, keeping the economic issues broad allows the film to be more relatable to people from all walks of life. The generic issues of money and failing government support generally hit everyone. Thus giving the film more of a satirical impact, pointing out how ridiculous and appalling these issues are.
I didn’t go into the film expecting a life-changing experience but, noting the jokes made in the trailer, I did expect to enjoy myself, and that I did. Zach Braff and writer Theodore Melfi deserve some applause. As do the host of actors that made up the wide cast of believable and relatable characters from the granddaughters to the romantic interests, oblivious retirees and an extreme number of ageist young people. The bank robbers themselves did not escape justice rather they were the bringers of justice and good times.
8/10