MOVIE REVIEW – The Old Man & the Gun
OLD MAN AND THE GUN is based on the true story of Forrest Tucker (Robert Redford), from his audacious escape from San Quentin at the age of 70 to an unprecedented string of heists that confounded authorities and enchanted the public. Wrapped up in the pursuit are detective John Hunt (Casey Affleck), who becomes captivated with Forrest’s commitment to his craft, and a woman (Sissy Spacek), who loves him in spite of his chosen profession.
The Old Man & the Gun is Robert Redford’s last movie having passed away recently. He made his first film, Tall Story, way back in 1960 and will probably always be known for his roles in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, as well as The Sting. While these are classic movies, Redford made plenty of other successful films.
We are told at the beginning of the film, it is “mostly” true, being based on the story of real-life criminal, Forrest Tucker. So that makes this film more an elegant folk tale than autobiographical. It also has a 1980’s grainy “movie feel” to it. Sitting in the cinema, you would swear you were watching a 40-year-old movie. This does not detract from the film at all, in fact it enhances it.
Forrest Tucker escaped from jail at least 18 times but the film follows his life’s later years, in the 1980’s. He and his mates are still robbing banks when Tucker meets a widowed woman and starts to woo her. However, his secret is unknown to her.
Also, along for the ride are Tuckers accomplices, Teddy and Waller, played nicely by Danny Glover and (a surprising good) Tom Waits. They are known as the “pistol packin’ grandpa’s”. Casey Affleck plays small town Detective, John Hunt who, while querying his life as a detective, joins the dots and makes it his mission to catch Tucker.
The Old Man & the Gun is a fitting finale for Robert Redford. It is a thoroughly entertaining movie that at just over 90 minutes, doesn’t outstay it’s welcome. The supporting cast are superb and slip into their roles wonderfully.
Robert Redford looks like he was having fun making this movie. You will have a lot of fun watching it.
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