Review of Stand Up Guys (2012) by Thomas W — 14 Aug 2013

It apparently takes more than 3 Oscar-winning actors to save a bad script. Val (Al Pacino - Scarface) has just got out of prison for serving a long prison sentence (28 years!) for not squealing on an associate.

His best friend Doc (Christopher Walken - Sleepy Hollow) is there to pick him up and the two resume their close friendship as if not a day had passed since they saw one another. The two also decide to pair up with a third friend, Hirsch (Alan Arkin - Argo) .

.. a grumpy-ish coot who likes the ladies. The three reflect upon loyalty and friendship over the course of a single evening as they dine out at a diner (a couple of times several hours apart) and visit a brothel ran by Wendy (Lucy Punch - Bad Teacher).

Hirsch also introduces the group to his hard-working daughter Nina (Julianna Marguilies - 'The Good Wife') a nurse in a local hospital. As revelations come to light and Doc reveals he has one final "mission", the men discuss their past experiences and what each other has meant to one another.

The script is the film's primary problem ... it is rather lame and formulaic. There are no surprises and each of the stars aren't asked to reign in their performances ... each are left to chew as much scenery as they wish (and with these 3 .

.. that can be a lot!). The film wants to be a sort-of special get-together of old friends reminiscing about good times; but it has too many bits of unfunny humor and a lot of it is over-the-top ... if not downright unbelievable.

ALL of this happens in an evening? Yes ... how convenient. I didn't care much for this ... they must be standing up because they are walking away from this.