Stand Up Guys

Name: Stand Up Guys
Genre: Comedy, Crime
Released: December 14, 2012
Duration: 95 min
Rating: 41
Cast: Al Pacino, Alan Arkin, Christopher Walken

2012

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 32 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 141 Ratings

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7.9

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7.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 141 Ratings

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Stand Up Guys

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Movie Details & Credits

Lionsgate | Release Date: December 14, 2012 | R

Starring: Al Pacino, Alan Arkin, Christopher Walken

Summary: A pair of aging con men try to get the old gang back together for one last hurrah before one of the guys takes his last assignment -- to kill his comrade.

Director: Fisher Stevens

Genre(s): Comedy, Crime

Rating: R

Runtime: 95 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Mick LaSalle

Jan 31, 2013

The thing most people will take away from Stand Up Guys is that it contains Al Pacino's best performance in years. So if you don't think Al Pacino still has it in him, this is a welcome chance to be proved wrong. But here's something interesting. Stand Up Guys also contains Christopher Walken's best performance in years. In addition, the film is extraordinarily well cast, and the acting, even in the smaller roles, is more than noteworthy. Read full review

Owen Gleiberman

Jan 30, 2013

Stand Up Guys reminds you that these three are still way too good to collapse into shticky self-parody, even when they're in a movie that's practically begging them to. Read full review

Mike Scott

Feb 1, 2013

Stand Up Guys becomes something not only enjoyable but memorable and emotionally layered at the same time. Read full review

Scott Bowles

Jan 31, 2013

It's been a long time since a movie wasted as much talent as Stand Up Guys, a film that aims to be a geezer "Goodfellas" but whose execution is a misfire. Read full review

Joe Morgenstern

Jan 31, 2013

It's long on Viagra jokes and whorehouse scenes, and comes up short on plausibility. Read full review

Marc Mohan

Jan 31, 2013

It's often said that actors with distinctive vocal styles could compellingly read the phone book -- in this case, it would absolutely be a more entertaining hour-and-a-half. Read full review

Keith Uhlich

Dec 11, 2012

This moronically unfunny gangster comedy fluctuates wildly between the lowest-of-low humor and pity-the-aged-man pathos, and offers further evidence that the best days are behind its iconic cast members. Read full review

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User Reviews

Lawgeek

Feb 2, 2013

I really, really loved this movie, all the more so because many of the critics had me expecting a piece of crap. Wow, talk about losing faith in these "experts" on film. Really puzzled as to why it was so panned. Can't help but believe some ageism is at work: wrinkly old guys are notI really, really loved this movie, all the more so because many of the critics had me expecting a piece of crap. Wow, talk about losing faith in these "experts" on film. Really puzzled as to why it was so panned. Can't help but believe some ageism is at work: wrinkly old guys are not supposed to be going to bed with young hookers or beating up young studs. Oh yeah, an Asian store clerk gets punched by Pacino's character so I guess this got the PC brigade riled up). Its a movie for Christ's sake. One critic even said it lacked "plausibility." Earth to critic: this wasn't a documentary. Go see it; you'll love it, especially if you grew up with these guys on the screen like I have.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

007

Jan 26, 2013

Stand Up Guys is even better than I thought it would be going in. It was phenomenal! I am a huge fan for the more slower paced type of films, and I'm just 18. Movies these days feel rushed: both on screen and the production of them. This will go into my short list of favorites for theStand Up Guys is even better than I thought it would be going in. It was phenomenal! I am a huge fan for the more slower paced type of films, and I'm just 18. Movies these days feel rushed: both on screen and the production of them. This will go into my short list of favorites for the best films released in 2012. I stayed away from it early on only because of the rating. But I guess, what drew my attention was the poster for it. Now I wasn't "judging the book by its cover"; it simply reminded me of a scene in A Clockwork Orange. So naturally, I was hooked!… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

BrianMcCritic

Jun 4, 2013

A surprisingly entertaining movie led by to legends giving strong performances. I was happy to see Pacino and Walken at the top of their game and I recommend this film because of it.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

TVJerry

Feb 4, 2013

The film starts as Al Pacino gets out of prison after 28 years. He's met by his best friend, Christopher Walken, and they spend one wild night before it's Walken's job to kill Pacino. Sure, the characters have names, but it doesn't matter. This is an indulgent acting workout for the twoThe film starts as Al Pacino gets out of prison after 28 years. He's met by his best friend, Christopher Walken, and they spend one wild night before it's Walken's job to kill Pacino. Sure, the characters have names, but it doesn't matter. This is an indulgent acting workout for the two leads (plus Alan Arkin in a funny smaller role). The dialogue is forgettable, the situations strain credibility and there's too much chatter. If you enjoy watching these actors indulge themselves, you'll be in heaven. Otherwise, sit it out.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

oblique15

Oct 8, 2013

It was interesting, but at times I found myself thinking about other things witch is never a good sign.Don`t go into this movie thinking about action, cause it has very little of it. It`s more about a couple friends coming together after 28 years of Al Pacino's character being released from prison.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Kevbo85

Jul 14, 2013

There is a definite feeling of talent being wrung out while watching Stand Up Guys, a lingering sense that the cast is the only thing provided for appeal. The story itself is fine, while certainly generic by way of repetition (how many gangster movies are we given on a yearly basis, afterThere is a definite feeling of talent being wrung out while watching Stand Up Guys, a lingering sense that the cast is the only thing provided for appeal. The story itself is fine, while certainly generic by way of repetition (how many gangster movies are we given on a yearly basis, after all?). The angle of senior, retired gangsters isn't original, but it is almost refreshing regardless. No, where this film falls flat is in matching the talent with scenes and dialog that match their abilities. The plot doesn't thicken, it grows increasingly thin as the minutes tick by. By the end, it is a sad state of affairs that one simply doesn't care what is going to happen...only that it happens sometime soon. No doubt, Christopher Walken and Al Pacino work well together. Mr. Walken's ability to gel with seemingly any actor or actress is almost supernatural, so it's no surprise that even despite the bland one-liners and compulsory (perhaps even unscripted) banter between his character and that of Pacino works despite the writing staff's best efforts to the contrary. Minor parts are also well casted, and well acted, but nowhere does the screenplay manage to come to life regardless of who is on camera. The rare action sequences are well done, no doubt, but almost feel forced under the weight of every other uninteresting moment.

Still, my strictly average score comes from the simple fact that, as actors, Pacino and Walken are two of my favorites. They also share a common thread throughout their respective careers of choosing seemingly unfitting or unpolished roles to take up, relative to their abilities. When each shines, they do so in a way that makes one great film justify a handful of those such as Stand Up Guys.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

DawdlingPoet

Nov 28, 2021

This is a comedy film, with aspects of crime drama interspersed and containing themes including cons and revenge. This film was rather underwhelming when it first started - it appeared to consist primarily of (of course) a bunch of cocky ageing guys talking about things, how things were butThis is a comedy film, with aspects of crime drama interspersed and containing themes including cons and revenge. This film was rather underwhelming when it first started - it appeared to consist primarily of (of course) a bunch of cocky ageing guys talking about things, how things were but not a whole lot actually happening. It definitely has a seediness to it, with a 'house of ill repute' featuring quite early on. Some of the scenarios the characters find themselves in are amusing, if not a bit potentially cringe-y. I think its fair to say that these ageing criminals have become somewhat bumbling in their more senior years, although they clearly do still have a rebellious side to them and still enjoy having a bit of fun. Seeing how some people respond to their exaggerated advances is relatively amusing, although a fair bit predictable. There are some pretty decent one-liners but the plot, for the most part, felt a bit underwhelming.

It is very much a character driven film, with a frustratingly slow plot pace. I felt that it came across as a bit self indulgent, probably due to the 3 main a-list actors seeming to reminisce about things and not really doing a whole lot, for the first half an hour or so in any case.

Cast wise, Val spends most of the time on screen and he is played by Al Pacino. Obviously, he is more well known for his appearances in crime drama films. This film very much comes across as a comedy, moreso than a crime thriller/drama. He did seem, to me, a bit out of place in this film. Meanwhile, Doc is played by Christopher Walken and he also appears on screen a lot, as one of Vals better friends. Walken is quite well known for his somewhat eccentric comedic roles and I felt he suited his role in this film quite well. Other cast members include Alan Arkin as Hirsch, Julianna Margulies as Nina Hirsch and Mark Margolis as Claphands (yes, you read it right!).

I get the feeling that the main cast are somehow trying to prove that they can have a bit of a laugh at themselves and don't take themselves too seriously but I didn't feel like it quite worked properly for a general audience. If the script was beefed up a bit and it was a little more substantial, with more action based scenes and a stronger plot, then I think this could have been a lot better. As it is, its fairly watchable and there are some amusing moments but overall, the main word to come to mind in relation to this specific film is dull - other such words being bland and mildly depressing. It felt a bit like they were trying too hard.

Content wise, the film contains sex references and innuendos, with some scenes being set in a brothel - nothing especially graphic is shown, with no full frontal nudity. There is some violence, although nothing particuarly explicit and there are numerous profanities. Women are effectively objectified in various scenes, due to the plot. One character is shown snorting drugs as well as others shown smoking and drinking but otherwise there's little likely to offend. The film has been given a 15 rating due to this content.

Unsurprisingly, no, I wouldn't recommend this film. It does feature a decent cast but the script seemed quite lacking, the plot pace is frustratingly slow and it just seemed a bit too bland overall.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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