GOING IN STYLE

Director: Martin Brest
Stars: George Burns, Art Carney, Lee Strasberg
Year: 1979
Rating: PG

Joe, Al, and Willie (George Burns, Art Carney, and Lee Strasberg, respectively) are three New York City elderly retired friends all alone (except for each other) in the world. Their days are mostly spent on park benches, observing life instead of living it - and one day, Joe (Burns) gets an idea that should certainly perk things up; he decides the three of them should go in together to pull a "stick-up" job, or rob a bank.

Al (Carney) is game right away, though Willie (Strasberg) needs more convincing. For Joe, the idea is simple, and without real threat - if caught, they'll all have free room, board and meals in prison; and if they get away with it, financially they'll be set for whatever life they have left. They take the subway up to Manhattan, not wanting to do the job on their home turf, and find a smallish, elegant bank with only one guard - perfect for their heist. Al is able to smuggle out some guns and ammo from his nephew's private collection, and everything is all set (although Willie still seems nervous with the idea).

To say much more would be to give away too much, probably. They pull the heist (which is, by the way, HUGELY funny), but if you're thinking that's where the film ends - nope. The bank robbery only takes up maybe the first third of the film - the rest deals with its repercussions, both good and bad, that include a spontaneous and bizarre trip to Las Vegas, during which Carney truly shines in the film.

The cast, in fact, is just fantastic - George Burns leads the pack with is usual dry wit, and Carney sheds Ed Norton to play a lovable grandpa-type with a heart. Lee Strasberg and his put-upon, melancholy face alone will win your heart. The supporting cast backs the three stars up nicely.

There's a lot to love about Going in Style, and I am glad I finally saw it after all these years. The performances are top-notch, the comedy as on-target as the more touching moments of the film (this "comedy" definitely has its elements of drama, too). Ultimately, my complaint with the film is that it's just ... well ... sort of depressing. That's the feeling I was left with, after the end, and it's a feeling that sneaks up on me again now, as I write this. It's a great film, beautifully made and very well acted, and it ends with dignity, in probably the only ending possible - even if not the most upbeat. *** - Reel Cool