The Old Man & the Gun
Fox Searchlight Pictures | Release Date: September 28, 2018
6.7
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 101 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
69
Mixed:
25
Negative:
7
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7
moviemitch96Oct 13, 2018
Robert Redford announced his retirement a couple months prior to this film's release, so this may very well be his final film we see him in, and I gotta say, he bows out rather gracefully with this simple yet charming film. Other A-listRobert Redford announced his retirement a couple months prior to this film's release, so this may very well be his final film we see him in, and I gotta say, he bows out rather gracefully with this simple yet charming film. Other A-list actors, such as Casey Affleck, Danny Glover, and Sissy Spacek round out the supporting cast. Overall, like I said, it was a simple yet well-made film with some hints and nods of nostalgia to Redford's good old days.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
The3AcademySinsOct 10, 2018
The Old Man & The Gun is a charming crime comedy that serves as a wonderful exploration of happiness. At points, it was a tear jerker as well! Robert Redford is at his best, and Sissy Spacek nails her performance. Their chemistry is palpable,The Old Man & The Gun is a charming crime comedy that serves as a wonderful exploration of happiness. At points, it was a tear jerker as well! Robert Redford is at his best, and Sissy Spacek nails her performance. Their chemistry is palpable, and Casey Affleck isn't half bad either. The soundtrack is incredible, the visual style of the movie nails the 1981 aesthetic, and the film is very light and easy to digest. The ending kind of drags, and some of the side characters (particularly Casey Affleck's family) are not very fleshed out by the script, and these flaws hold back the movie from a higher score. However, this is a great flick, and I definitely want to see it again!… Expand
4 of 5 users found this helpful41
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8
GinaKOct 11, 2018
The Old Man and the Gun is a solid “old style” movie because it concentrated on a "real" story and character – no Marvel superheroes and minimal violence – but it was still entertaining, clever, and witty. It’s also based on a true story,The Old Man and the Gun is a solid “old style” movie because it concentrated on a "real" story and character – no Marvel superheroes and minimal violence – but it was still entertaining, clever, and witty. It’s also based on a true story, which is incredible. The entire cast was excellent, and Robert Redford was a charming superhero in his own quiet way. After all these years, it is still a pleasure to watch him act.… Expand
3 of 4 users found this helpful31
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8
Brent_MarchantOct 16, 2018
A charming and curiously inspiring tale about living life on one's own terms, even when questionable activities are involved. In what is said to be Robert Redford's cinematic swan song, the acting legend shines in a quietly understated role,A charming and curiously inspiring tale about living life on one's own terms, even when questionable activities are involved. In what is said to be Robert Redford's cinematic swan song, the acting legend shines in a quietly understated role, backed by an excellent supporting cast who know how to complement their colleague without outshining him. A delightful comedy-drama to round out a storied acting career.… Expand
3 of 4 users found this helpful31
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8
QLA92Oct 4, 2018
The Old Man and the Gun gets a lot of mileage from the legendary charm of Robert Redford, and from the old pro's crackling chemistry with Sissy Spacek. This is an easy breezy flick packed with quite a few laughs. However, there are someThe Old Man and the Gun gets a lot of mileage from the legendary charm of Robert Redford, and from the old pro's crackling chemistry with Sissy Spacek. This is an easy breezy flick packed with quite a few laughs. However, there are some monotonous stretches throughout.… Expand
1 of 3 users found this helpful12
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10
fra92Dec 26, 2018
An intriguing, funny and interesting movie. Robert Redford says goodbye to Hollywood with a powerful role that hopefully will get him some recognition. Lowery is once again an incredible director.
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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8
Rebecca31Dec 10, 2018
It's got style, it's got substance, I just wanted a little more heist. Forrest Tucker (Robert Redford) is the smooth criminal who just can't get enough, he's been on the wrong side of the law for most of his life. A bank robber who escapedIt's got style, it's got substance, I just wanted a little more heist. Forrest Tucker (Robert Redford) is the smooth criminal who just can't get enough, he's been on the wrong side of the law for most of his life. A bank robber who escaped from prison 18 times and that's just the tip of the iceberg, The Old Man and the Gun focuses on Tucker's later life and his relationship with Jewel (Sissy Spacek).

Robert Redford gives us the perfect film before his retirement. It's very well made, taking a true story and not exaggerating the facts just for the sake of it. Although I found myself wishing for a different film, one that had a bit more focus on Tucker's earlier life. It's well made but drags in places, definitely a different take on the heist movies you may be used to. The story lingered too long and would have done better to focus more on Tucker and his heist buddies. That's what I personally enjoy in a heist movie yet don't let that discourage you because this is a terrific performance from Redford and honestly we should expect nothing less. Hopefully this isn't his last acting role but if that's true it's a great one to leave us with. Recommended if you want some quality cinema.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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7
LegendaryLassJan 7, 2019
An extra 50 years hasn't dimmed Redford's Butch Cassidy charm any, but this film never quite moves beyond an tired, septuagenarian remake. It carries itself on it's charm but the potential excitement never manifests and it just sort ofAn extra 50 years hasn't dimmed Redford's Butch Cassidy charm any, but this film never quite moves beyond an tired, septuagenarian remake. It carries itself on it's charm but the potential excitement never manifests and it just sort of peters out in the back half.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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7
imthenoobJan 4, 2019
Redford does an amazing job carrying the movie, which is oddly funny at times. I am a bit disappointed that Affleck wasn't featured more in it, He's a criminally underrated actor and it would have been great to see him interact with RedfordRedford does an amazing job carrying the movie, which is oddly funny at times. I am a bit disappointed that Affleck wasn't featured more in it, He's a criminally underrated actor and it would have been great to see him interact with Redford more onscreen. Overall though, I enjoyed it and would recommend it. It isn't gonna blow your mind but it's an enjoyable experience.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
VickimageMar 27, 2019
Want to see charisma? Then make sure you see The Old Man & The Gun because Robert Redford delivers it in spades. Sissy Spacek is equally wonderful. Their scenes together are a joy. The film’s languid pacing - similar to The Mule - might annoyWant to see charisma? Then make sure you see The Old Man & The Gun because Robert Redford delivers it in spades. Sissy Spacek is equally wonderful. Their scenes together are a joy. The film’s languid pacing - similar to The Mule - might annoy people used to Marvel movies but I relished it. Casey Affleck’s performance is an acquired taste. It feels like he is in a different movie.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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7
eagleeyevikingMay 23, 2019
"The Old Man & The Gun" is a simple, pleasant, heartwarming, and leisurely swan song for Robert Redford.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
MattBrady99Dec 2, 2018
LIFF32 (2018) #6

“And he did.” The last movie I saw at LIFF (Leeds International Film) and the final performance from Robert Redford (apparently) - and what a way to end this year festival. ‘The Old Man and The Gun’ is one of mostLIFF32 (2018) #6

“And he did.”

The last movie I saw at LIFF (Leeds International Film) and the final performance from Robert Redford (apparently) - and what a way to end this year festival.

‘The Old Man and The Gun’ is one of most endearing and heartfelt movies about bank robbery. A simple story with miraculous results. By the end, I don't know to root for or against the robbers. Throughout the movie I kept being reminded of a similar heist movie that came out this year called ‘Kings of Thieves’, but done better.

David Lowery stylistic directing shines through out. From ‘Pete's Dragon’, ‘A Ghost Story’ and now this movie; Lowery is a special soul. He’s got a unique way of presenting information across, almost like a Edgar Wright type of style by cutting away the fat of pacing. For example: There's a scene where Forrest (Redford) shows Speack a list of prison breaks through his time, and instead of talking about it, Lowery decides to show, not tell while splicing old footage of Redford's movies.

Also, the jazzy score and production design was so great it truly captures the era and tone beautifully.

If Robert Redford claims are true, I couldn’t think of a better exist. Redford is fantastic as always and will be forever missed. The old rebel still got that sparkle in his eyes. The smooth charm makes him appealing. Redford and Spacek are magnificent together. Spacek is brilliant as always, like duh.

The other supporting cast were great as well. Say whatever you want about Casey Affleck, but there’s no doubt he’s a terrific actor and here is no different. John David Washington, Tom Waits and Danny Glover have a handful of entertaining moments, especially a funny scene involving Wait’s character telling a story about why he doesn't like Christmas.

This entire movie felt like a tribute to Redford career with plenty of similarity to his past roles. Nods to ‘Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid’, ‘All The President's Men’ and ‘All Is Lost’, are only a few. Intentional or not, it feels like a goodbye.

Overall rating: “Well, he was also sort of a gentleman.”… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
amheretojudgeDec 30, 2018
To Own That Amount Of Charisma.

The Old Man & The Gun Lowery's pastel and sunny heist manages to see off the finest talent of Hollywood with a gleeful grin on the face. And the experience is thoroughly persistent of such quality, never forTo Own That Amount Of Charisma.

The Old Man & The Gun

Lowery's pastel and sunny heist manages to see off the finest talent of Hollywood with a gleeful grin on the face. And the experience is thoroughly persistent of such quality, never for a scene does that smile wears off from your face, it is an overwhelming response to the pressure the genre offers, it just is simply soothing. Surprisingly, this comes as a bit of a shock, Lowery has never been in these funny shoes, and yet he has managed to win this marathon. The humor seems required at a certain point, it isn't forced upon for distraction.

In fact none of the sequence seems like they are stretching it, let alone be a gag, ticking for around ninety minutes, Lowery has captured the farewell bid with a sweetening aroma of laughter. Not only does the storytelling is simple and familiar but so are its stereotypical characters, but all of this when weaved out with excellent execution skills, the film soars above expectations, the perfectly balanced style and substance case shows the superiority of clean finesse over originality.

With your typical "success and fame" montage that most of the robbery is depicted as, wisely Lowery never digs in the mechanics or the methods of the live action. If anything, his guns are directed towards the preparation that goes behind the stage and the aftermath drama that one goes through, no matter how much professional. Redford as the ultimate expert of an "in and out" mission for a handful of greens, has the apt smoothness and comfort in his body language to make it look like easy.

Plastering a mysterious smile on his face for the most part of the film, Redford is expressive at his most vulnerable and his most vibrant day. Driving out a professional and personal equation with his co-stars, he still has the nakedness of the direction this film drives towards. Affleck as the stereotypical cop that connects with Redford in a spiritual tone, manages to keep the chase thrilling with his mediocre yet satisfying life. Waits and Glover as the partners in crime sticks to their job of supporting Redford decently. But among all these characters, Spacek's mellow and vanilla character emerges as the best outcome possible from this crime drama.

Her equation and conversations with Redford is the real deal, the core strength of the film that Lowery doesn't compromise for, these sequences are floating in a different bubble itself, they speak different genre, they ooze humility. No matter how much ethically questionable Redford's deeds are, you do find yourself rooting for him as you usually do for the underdog in such features, but in here there is no justifying reason to it and yet he somehow asks to be dealt liberally, fair but with not-so-tight ropes. Similar to the Heat, this cat and mouse chase halts for a brief period, where the opposite sides of the coin meet and share a laughter with clenched jaws. The Old Man & The Gun is a memorable adieu to that Sundance Kid.… Expand
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7
Bertaut1Dec 26, 2018
A well-made, old-fashioned yarn, but the laid-back ballad-like tone will be too insubstantial for some

Written and directed by David Lowery, and originally touted as Robert Redford's final performance, although he has walked that claim backA well-made, old-fashioned yarn, but the laid-back ballad-like tone will be too insubstantial for some

Written and directed by David Lowery, and originally touted as Robert Redford's final performance, although he has walked that claim back somewhat, The Old Man & the Gun is a laid-back ballad-like elegy filmed in the style of a 1970's indie.

Based on David Grann's 2003 New Yorker article, the film tells the "mostly true" story of prolific bank robber and prison escapee Forrest Tucker (Redford) who had been robbing banks since his early 20s. The story takes place in 1981, when Tucker was 61 (although in the film, he's 76), and had recently escaped from San Quentin. Meeting a widow named Jewel (Sissy Spacek), after pulling off a job, they strike up a tentative romance. Meanwhile, he is pursued by Det. John Hunt (Casey Affleck), who is starting to respect him more and more.

The first thing you'll notice about Old Man is its pace, which is measured, to say the least. Ostensibly, this is a heist film, but the crime narrative is very much secondary to tone and character beats, with Lowery relatively uninterested in excitement, suspense, plot twists, or any of the usual generic tropes. And that's not a criticism. Rather, the meditative pace is one of the film's charms. Additionally, Lowery almost completely ignores what, for many, would be the most interesting part of Tucker's story - the 18 prison escapes. Instead, he puts them all together into one montage.

Instead, Lowery's goal is to create an ode to an icon, and that icon is Robert Redford. Tucker's story is a vehicle which Lowery uses to celebrate Redford; the character is always there, but he exists behind the actor, rather than the other way around. Indeed, during the escape montage, there's even a clip of Redford from another film, The Chase (1966). We can never look past the fact that Tucker is played by Redford, and for the most part, Redford is playing Redford, with the film existing in large part only because it explicitly leans on his back catalogue and real-life legacy. Essentially, the whole thing is an extended metatextual allegory for Redford's own impending retirement, not to mention his reluctance to let go.

As one would expect from Lowery, the film is aesthetically fascinating. Shooting on Super 16, Lowery wanted the film to look like it had been made in the period in which it was set, trying to suture the viewer into the past. Another important aesthetic point is how much Lowery has obviously been influenced by Michael Mann, to whom there are several homages - a scene in a diner recalls a similarly shot scene in Thief (1981); the scene where Hunt approaches Tucker is an obvious nod to Al Pacino confronting Robert De Niro in Heat (1995); and the scene of Tucker gaining inspiration whilst sitting in a cinema recalls a scene in Public Enemies (2009).

In terms of problems, there are a few. If you're not a fan of Redford's, for example, you will get very little from this. Lowery also has a strange habit of introducing themes which seem to be setting something up, only to completely abandon them without any kind of engagement. This is most obvious in relation to Hunt's inter-racial marriage to Maureen (Tika Sumpter) and their two mixed-race children. This is a fictional element added by Lowery, so one assumes there was some thought behind it. But this is Texas in 1981; there wouldn't have been a huge amount of mixed marriages. Yet Lowery seems to portray it as if it's the most normal thing in the world. Indeed, for the wife and children, life is fairly idyllic, with not a hint of any kind of societal disapproval. Why would you introduce a mixed-race marriage into this milieu without commenting on it?

These few issues aside, however, The Old Man & the Gun is a fine film. As much about Robert Redford as it is Forrest Tucker, although it won't appeal to everyone, there is much to praise. Made in a key so low, it's practically subterranean, Lowery hinges everything on Redford's presence, and, for the most part, it works well. There's little to get overly excited about, but neither is there much to criticise. Yes, the film is somewhat insubstantial, and there's virtually nothing here beyond the Redford/Tucker character, but it's still beautifully made, and, honestly, there's nothing wrong with spending 93 minutes hanging out with Redford, whether he's playing Forrest Tucker or Robert Redford. Whether or not this is actually his last performance remains to be seen, but if it is, it's as fine a send-off as any Hollywood icon could hope for.… Expand
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10
fonzeaAug 29, 2019
Interesting, touching, and stylish to boot, The Old Man & the Gun often has us looking to the future for comfort rather than dwelling on the past; an interesting feat for a movie set in 1980's America, and a fitting swan song for Redford.
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7
m15964Mar 15, 2019
Didn't really liked that even it's still a good movie that maybe you suggest to your friends.
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8
DawdlingPoetNov 22, 2021
I enjoyed this film, knowing its the last film Robert Redford intended to star in (certainly as the lead character). It somewhat reminded me of the Mule, I suppose as its a film about an older gentleman involved in potentially violent crime,I enjoyed this film, knowing its the last film Robert Redford intended to star in (certainly as the lead character). It somewhat reminded me of the Mule, I suppose as its a film about an older gentleman involved in potentially violent crime, although no doubt there are a lot of other such films around. There isn't actually a lot of violence in this film, its much more of a low key character based drama. I particularly enjoyed the scenes with Forrest and Jewel acquainting themselves, there are some heart to hearts, interesting discussions that give an insight into Forrest's life perhaps. It's perhaps somewhat thought provoking in terms of how the authorities regard the recent robberies when they realise the culprit is an older man who is, as I say, regularly described as 'a gentleman', as if that could ever be the case(!) surely not(!).

I also like it as its based on a true story, which always appeals to me. I would certainly recommend this film, yes.… Expand
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7
S2P_cinephileAug 12, 2023
My heart was embraced with warmness. Such a great nostalgic final film for Redford. Goodbye, Robert Redford.
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7
geewahDec 20, 2020
A charming crime caper and a fitting way for Redford to sign off on his acting career.
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