Review of The Old Man & the Gun (2018) by Charles C — 21 Jan 2019

A moving tribute to Robert Redford's career and charm!

The Old Man & The Gun (2018) is a surprisingly little drama that goes from heist to heist and captures heart to heart. The romance and chemistry between Robert Redford and Sissy Spacek is palpable. Their on screen sweetness feels natural and believable in every scene they share together. I particularly loved the diner conversations and the movie theater sequence in which Redford sees the images differently from Spacek. They make The Old Man & The Gun more tender than I expected.

David Lowery's direction is much improved from the ambitious, if tedious, A Ghost Story (2017). Lowery gives all his creative direction for The Old Man & The Gun to write and direct a unique biopic with several heists and an adorable romance. Lowery leans on the dramatic performances by giving them air to breath in their emotional reactions to scenes with long sustained close ups. His wide shots of driving are breathtaking, I was especially stunned by Lowery's police chase sequence.

The soft jazz score is so classic and affectionate towards these characters. The delicate piano melodies weave themselves around the most touching moments with a careful accompaniment. I thought Lowery's choice of a jazz score perfectly fit the early 1980's era that sounds like a remnant of the 1970's style music. Much of Lowery's choices fit the era like the way he shot The Old Man & The Gun to look a 1970's thriller like The French Connection or The Conversation.

I must mention the main draw of The Old Man & The Gun is, of course, the old man himself: Robert Redford. Redford goes out with a subtle performance that reminds me of his on screen charisma and likable personality. He effortless exudes style and class with a playful kindness as the gentleman robber Forrest Tucker. His desperation for the adrenaline rush of robbing banks is apparent in Redford's zealous portrayal of the legendary escape artist and criminal mastermind. The Old Man & The Gun lends itself to greatness by relying on Redford's casual cool aesthetic and persona. It even pays numerous tributes to his iconic career. I particularly adored the finale montage of Forrest's escapes from prison melding Redford's youth with his matured age. Robert Redford is phenomenal in his final film role as you would have hoped.

I have to hand it to Casey Affleck for coming prepared to emotionally drain himself as his character Detective John Hunt. Affleck plays the man sympathetically as a tired, but adoring father and husband to the lovely Tika Sumpter. Affleck juggles the stressful job of making his police officer likable against the ever charming Robert Redford. He holds his own as you like his character as he seems like a decent man at heart. His extensive efforts to locate and detain the criminal are fascinating as they are entertaining. Affleck is a great vehicle for uncovering Tucker's past exploits and intimate history.

Sissy Spacek is delightful as Jewel. She is angelic and sweet with a nice added foil aspect to Redford's mischievous style. Her goodness feels completely at home with Spacek. She is clearly having the time of her life opposite Redford. She can even be seen admiring him in the light when he visits her for a precious kiss.

Lastly, I was surprised by the supporting cast in The Old Man & The Gun. From Danny Glover's accomplice character Teddy, who is interesting for his nervous apprehension to Tucker's ambition. Tom Waits is excellent as the eccentric Waller. Waits gives Waller a dangerous face and humorous expressiveness. He kills his Christmas monologue and gets several funny lines. They all did respectable jobs for such minor supporting roles as you really remember each one.

Overall, The Old Man & The Gun is a thrilling heist film more intimate in scope with the hilarious premise of elderly robbers committing kind crimes around America. The action is all subtle and as understated as the performances. David Lowery directed something special and reverent for Robert Redford's rear view retirement film. I am grateful for Redford's acting and directing alongside this highly respectable, enjoyable, and cool final role.