Stand Up Guys
Academy Award winners Al Pacino, Christopher Walken and Alan Arkin star as retired gangsters who reunite for one epic last night.
"Stand Up Guys" (2013 release; 94 min.) starts with Val (played by Al Pacino) being released from jail after a 28 year stint. He's awaited by his best friend Doc (played by Christopher Walken). We later find out that Val was in jail for the killing of the son of tough guy Claphands, and that Claphands has hired Doc to take out Val by 10 am the next morning. The movie plays out entirely in the 24 hrs. between Val's release from jail and the next morning. During that time we see the two old buddies "liven it up", leading to sometime funny (if at times predictable, as in: Viagra overdose consequences, etc.), and sometimes sentimential moments about the "bad old days" (when they get ready to take on some baddies, they look at each other and start humming: "It's time to kick ass or time to chew gum! but I've run out of gum", ha!).
Several comments: the only plot line that matters in the entire movie is whether at the end Doc takes out Val (I'm not going to tell you how it ends, you'll have to see for yourself how it all plays out). Far more important and enjoyable are the acting performances. Let's start with Al Pacino, who seems like he's having the time of his life and is feisty and fiery throughout. Christopher Walken brings a more restrained, but equally effective, performance. But the person who steals the movie is, once again, Alan Arkin in a fairly small role (he gets rescued/abducted from a seniors home by Val and Doc). Arkin seems to be everywhere these days (he's likely to win the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Argo).
Bottom line: this movie was okay, but could've been even better with a better script and tighter direction. The theatre where I saw this at here in Cincinnati tonight (1st day of release) was very poorly attended, leading me to believe that it's doubtful this movie will find a large audience. So if you are interested in this movie, better hurry before it's gone (or simply wait for the DVD release later this year).
I was lucky to attend a screening of ,Stand Up Guys', a thriller-comedy with Al Pacino and Christopher Walken. The movie is hilarious with lots of funny scenes and dialogues. Especially Al Pacino shows method acting at its best. He doesn't play - he is the low rank veteran mobster Val, who - fresh out of prison - wants to make the best of his last hours on earth. Val's only friend Doc is the exact opposite. He looks like a living dead while he is following Val through the night. Doc has a job to do and his job is to kill Val until the next morning. He doesn't have a choice. The mafia don, who wants to see Val dead, has threatened to kill Doc's niece, if Doc spares his friend's life. The world seems to press on Doc's shoulders. Val, on the other hand, knows for whom the bell tolls, but he's a ,Stand Up Guy' and so is his friend.
Director Fisher Stephens arranged extremely funny and dramatic scenes in a quick succession, but his best decision was to step back and let these guys play. Fantastic - don't miss this gem!
Three criminals reunite to recapture the glory of their lawless youth, but find their celebrations interrupted when one is put into a difficult position by a vengeful mob boss. Nearly 20 years after refusing to inform on his partner-in-crime, Val (Al Pacino) emerges from prison a free man. Waiting for him at the gate is his old friend Doc (Christopher Walken), who quickly takes him out on the town with the mischievous Hirsh (Alan Arkin) to stir up some trouble. Good movie well acted. I enjoyed watching the forever young Al Pacino.
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