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CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on March 21st, 2024, reviewing the new streaming series “Manhunt” – based on the bestseller by James L. Swanson – currently streaming on Apple TV+.
Film Review: Misguided Remake of ‘Going in Style’ is Just a Product
Submitted by PatrickMcD on April 7, 2017 - 7:43am
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“Going in Style” opens everywhere on April 7th. Featuring Michael Caine, Alan Arkin, Morgan Freeman, Ann-Margret, Christopher Lloyd and Matt Dillon. Screenplay adapted by Theodore Melfi, based on the 1979 Martin Brest screenplay and a story by Edward Cannon. Directed by Zach Braff. Rated “PG-13”
Continue reading for Patrick McDonald’s full review of “Going in Style”
Albert (Alan Arkin), Willie (Morgan Freeman) and Joe (Michael Caine) in ‘Going in Style’
Photo credit: Warner Bros.
Continue reading for Patrick McDonald’s full review of “Going in Style”
Printer-friendly versionE-mail page to friendPDF version
CHICAGO – In 1979, there was a beautifully understated film called “Going in Style,” taking on the issues of aging, loneliness and the forgotten senior citizens in society. Those issues have not altered in our modern society, but you wouldn’t be able to tell that with the 2017 remake of “Going in Style.”
 Rating: 2.0/5.0 |
The “oldsters” in this redux are Michael Caine, Alan Arkin and Morgan Freeman (who seems to be closing his career by making these “last act” movies), as opposed to George Burns, Lee Strasberg and Art Carney in the original. The new crew can’t hold a candle to the old, not because of any acting chops, but because of the situation that screenwriter Theodore Melfi and director Zach Braff puts them in. Instead of an exploration of aging in America – filtered through three old guys robbing a bank – this is just another superhero movie, where the crew knows more than anyone, and gets away with everything. Add in cute kids, coy sentiment and old people stereotypes (at least Christopher Lloyd is working), and this remade story has no style.
Joe (Michael Caine), Albert (Alan Arkin) and Willie (Morgan Freeman) are friends in Brooklyn, and are retired on pensions from the same steel company. The rug is pulled from them when the pensions are rescinded when the company is sold, and the bank that is dissolving the pension fund is the same one that the three pals use as customers.
After witnessing a robbery at the same bank, Joe comes up with the idea to do a heist themselves, to save his home. They get help from Jesus (John Ortiz) and plan an elaborate ruse. At the same time, Albert is being wooed by Annie (Ann-Margret) and Joe is trying to get his ex son-in-law back into his granddaughter’s life. Suddenly these old guys have a lot to do.
Continue reading for Patrick McDonald’s full review of “Going in Style”Albert (Alan Arkin), Willie (Morgan Freeman) and Joe (Michael Caine) in ‘Going in Style’
Photo credit: Warner Bros.
Continue reading for Patrick McDonald’s full review of “Going in Style”
