Going in Style

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

Movie Info

Joe (George Burns), Al (Art Carney), and Willie (Lee Strasberg) are three senior citizens who share a small apartment in New York City. They live off social security checks and spend their days sitting on a park bench, reading newspapers, feeding pigeons, and fending off obnoxious children. It's a dull life, and finally Joe is driven to suggest something radical to break the monotony; why not go on a stick up? None of them have a criminal history (though Joe claims he "did some stealing during the war"), but just planning the bank robbery puts a new spring in their step. Al surreptitiously borrows some pistols from the collection of his nephew, Pete (Charles Hallahan), and the trio, disguised with novelty Groucho Marx-style glasses, pulls off their heist to the tune of 35,000 dollars. Unfortunately, the excitement is too much for Willie, who suffers a fatal heart attack the same day. At his funeral, Joe and Al decide to give the bulk of the dough to Pete and his family, and attempt to blow the rest of it on a whirlwind excursion to Las Vegas. Meanwhile, the eccentric robbery has become a colorful news story for the media and the police are closing in on the amateur criminals. ~ Fred Beldin, Rovi

Rating:

PG
Genre:

Comedy, Drama
Directed By:

Martin Brest
Written By:

Martin Brest
On Disc/Streaming:

Mar 30, 2004
Runtime:

90 minutes
Studio:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Watch it now

Cast

George Burns
as Joe

Art Carney
as Al

Lee Strasberg
as Willie

Charles Hallahan
as Pete

Pamela Payton-Wright
as Kathy

Siobhan Keegan
as Colleen

Brian Neville
as Kevin

Constantine Hartofolis
as Boy in Park

Mary Testa
as Teller

Jean Shevlin
as Mrs. Fein

James Manis
as Hot Dog Vendor

Margot Stevenson
as Store Cashier

Tito Goya
as Gypsy Cab Driver

William Pabst
as Bank Guard

Christopher Wynkoop
as Bank Manager

Joseph Sullivan
as Moon

Bob Maroff
as Cab Driver

Vivian Edwards
as Bellhop

Barbara Ann Miller
as Waitress

Karen Montgomery
as Hooker

Catherine Billich
as Cashier

Betty Bunch
as Cashier

Anthony Call
as FBI Agent

Mark Margolis
as Prison Guard

Eric William Larson
as FBI Agent

Reathel Bean
as FBI Agent

Tony DiBenedetto
as Prison Guard

Alan Brooks
as FBI Agent

Paul L. Smith
as Radio Announcer

View All

Critic Reviews for Going in Style

All Critics (11) | Top Critics (3)

A trio of contrasting personalities, the veterans bring both a mischievous wit and a sense of subdued anger to a familiar comic plotline, and the film achieves a rare balance of laughter and compassion.

Jun 24, 2006 | Full Review…

Trevor Johnston
Time Out
Top Critic
Though the cast is headed by three fine actors, two of whom, Mr. Burns and Mr. Carney, are also extremely funny men, it never elicits any emotional response more profound than curiosity.

May 9, 2005 | Rating: 2.5/5

Vincent Canby
New York Times
Top Critic
There are laughs, but the prevalent tone is one of discreet compassion, without condescension or sanctimony.

Jan 1, 2000 | Full Review…

Dave Kehr
Chicago Reader
Top Critic
'70s comedy caper tugs at heartstrings; some swearing.

Apr 18, 2017 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

Renee Schonfeld
Common Sense Media
Touching and amusing comedy.

Jun 17, 2015 | Rating: B | Full Review…

Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Director Brest does a great job with a sensitive subject, drawing fine performances from everyone.

Oct 8, 2013 | Rating: 4/4 | Full Review…

TV Guide
Two things about the film are frankly remarkable, however: the richness of its imagery and George Burns' understated performance.

Mar 9, 2010 | Rating: 3.5/5 | Full Review…

Ken Hanke
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Three veterans in a spotlight performance.

Jan 8, 2005 | Rating: 4/5

Michael A. Smith
Nolan's Pop Culture Review
The talent of the three actors is wasted. It's the only talent in sight in a movie poorly written, sloppily directed and badly edited.

Nov 20, 2003 | Full Review…

Tony Mastroianni
Cleveland Press