Going in Style (1979)

Going in Style (1979)
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Joe (George Burns), Al (Art Carney), and Willie (Lee Strasberg) are three senior citizens who share a small apartment in New York City. They live off social security checks and spend their days sitting on a park bench, reading newspapers, feeding pigeons, and fending off obnoxious children. It's a dull life, and finally Joe is driven to suggest something radical to break the monotony; why not go on a stick up? None of them have a criminal history (though Joe claims he "did some stealing during the war"), but just planning the bank robbery puts a new spring in their step. Al surreptitiously borrows some pistols from the collection of his nephew, Pete (Charles Hallahan), and the trio, disguised with novelty Groucho Marx-style glasses, pulls off their heist to the tune of 35,000 dollars. Unfortunately, the excitement is too much for Willie, who suffers a fatal heart attack the same day. At his funeral, Joe and Al decide to give the bulk of the dough to Pete and his family, and attempt to blow the rest of it on a whirlwind excursion to Las Vegas. Meanwhile, the eccentric robbery has become a colorful news story for the media and the police are closing in on the amateur criminals. ~ Fred Beldin, Rovi

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Starring:
George BurnsArt Carney, (more)
Director(s):
Martin Brest
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
PG
Format(s):
DVD  | Digital SD
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Synopsis of Going in Style

Joe (George Burns), Al (Art Carney), and Willie (Lee Strasberg) are three senior citizens who share a small apartment in New York City. They live off social security checks and spend their days sitting on a park bench, reading newspapers, feeding pigeons, and fending off obnoxious children. It's a dull life, and finally Joe is driven to suggest something radical to break the monotony; why not go on a stick up? None of them have a criminal history (though Joe claims he "did some stealing during the war"), but just planning the bank robbery puts a new spring in their step. Al surreptitiously borrows some pistols from the collection of his nephew, Pete (Charles Hallahan), and the trio, disguised with novelty Groucho Marx-style glasses, pulls off their heist to the tune of 35,000 dollars. Unfortunately, the excitement is too much for Willie, who suffers a fatal heart attack the same day. At his funeral, Joe and Al decide to give the bulk of the dough to Pete and his family, and attempt to blow the rest of it on a whirlwind excursion to Las Vegas. Meanwhile, the eccentric robbery has become a colorful news story for the media and the police are closing in on the amateur criminals. ~ Fred Beldin, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:
98 mins

Complete Cast of Going in Style


Director(s):
Martin Brest
Writer(s):
Martin Brest
Producer(s):
Fred T. GalloTony Bill
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
PG(Questionable for Children, Adult Language)
Categories:
Comedy
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Member Reviews
 
Anthony V.

In the 70's there were a number of great films made. In my book this is one of them. It's not a blockbuster (no pun intended). It's a quiet movie that chronicles the final days of three elderly gentlemen who are determined to not fade away -- but to "go in style". It also makes simultaneous points about aging in America and what one can do when a little ingenuity is applied. The overall pace of the film is slow, but steady and the character development is first rate. From the first scene, we know who's who in this trio. The DVD transfer is excellent and works particularly well on wide screen, 16x9 TVs. Five stars.

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Helen and Gregory M.

This is a terrific film. It makes you laugh, cry and ponder the issues of growing old.

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Joseph J.

I remember my father taking me to see this in the theater when it came out, and then happily watching it again a few years later on HBO. It was very enjoyable each time. The three legends of cinema have great chemistry together as friends conspiring to beat the boredom of retirement with a little criminal mischief. Funny and touching at the same time, this classic will always remain a personal favorite.

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