The Old Man & the Gun (2018)

Directed by: David Lowery | 93 minutes | biography, comedy | Actors: Robert Redford, Casey Affleck, Sissy Spacek, Danny Glover, Tom Waits, Tika Sumpter, Ari Elizabeth Johnson, Teagan Johnson, Gene Jones, John David Washington, Barlow Jacobs, Augustine Frizzell, Jennifer Joplin, Lisa DeRoberts

After a career that has lasted more than five – and if you count his TV work even almost six – decades, Robert Redford thinks it’s enough. ‘The Old Man and the Gun’ (2018) is the last film for the ever-charming actor, who, despite being well into his eighties, still has an unmistakably boyish air. Filmmaker David Lowery (‘A Ghost Story’, 2017) has the honor of directing Redford’s swan song. He also wrote the screenplay, loosely based on a 2003 newspaper article from The New Yorker, by David Grann, about the legendary American criminal Forrest Tucker who robbed dozens of banks (even into old age) and as many as eighteen once managed to escape from prison. His three wives were completely unaware of his criminal activities and only became suspicious when the police rang at the door. The role of such a shrewd bandit, who could deceive anyone with his charming appearance, is, of course, eminently suitable for Redford, who had a bit of a patent on this kind of rogue roles throughout his career. For the last time we see the legendary actor shine in a role that is tailor-made for him. Or should we take that retirement, which he announced at the American premiere of this film, with a grain of salt? If you see him in action like this, let’s hope so!

‘The Old Man and the Gun’ is set in the early 1980s. Forrest Tucker (Robert Redford) has been on the wanted criminals list for two years since escaping the infamous San Quentin Prison. However, that doesn’t stop him from simply robbing another bank. In between avoiding the police, he casually helps a lady with car trouble; it turns out to be a perfect diversion. The woman, Jewel (Sissy Spacek), is very grateful to him and insists on treating him to lunch. The two click so well that he confesses his dubious daily practices to her – completely against his habit and despite the false name he gives – and visits Jewel on her farm. He also likes that kind of life. Before that, he wants to pay off Jewel’s mortgage first, as a surprise. But the bank refuses to cooperate with this plan without a signature from Jewel; there goes Forrest’s surprise. Out of frustration, he decides to pick up his old hobby – robbing banks – again. In a stylish tailor-made suit and like a true gentleman, he gets away with everything; he doesn’t even have to get his gun from under his coat. All he shows is his smile. Police officer John Hunt (Casey Affleck) has his sights set on catching Tucker and is hot on his heels and his gang mates (Tom Waits and Danny Glover).

Forrest Tucker is typically one of those guys who can’t resist robbing banks. As long as he does that, he feels like he’s alive. He is not concerned with using violence, because he never has to use his weapon. He only cares partly about the money. He mainly robs banks to see how he gets away with it every time. He thoroughly enjoys the cat-and-mouse game with Detective John Hunt, whom he likes to get close and believe that he’s almost got him. Filmmaker David Lowery saw in Tucker’s story a wonderful parallel with the career of Redford, who has actually always remained a bad boy and with his charming appearance managed to turn even the biggest criminals into an endearing personality. With ‘The Old Man and the Gun’ Lowery pays tribute to Redford and his impressive career, with subtle winks and subtle references to the actor’s earlier work (for example, the opening credits were borrowed from ‘Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid’ (1969) and we even get to see a snippet of the prison break from ‘The Chase’ (also from 1969)).

The bank robberies themselves are secondary to the interpersonal relationships – that of Tucker with his criminal buddies and that of his newfound love Jewel, wonderfully played by Danny Glover, Tom Waits and Sissy Spacek, respectively. ‘The Old Man and the Gun’ is also interesting stylistically: from Lowery’s choice of Super 16, which gives the film its 1970s look, to the inventive camera angles he uses to capture the heists. Don’t expect fast-paced action and flashy heist scenes; this film takes its time to portray the remarkable character of Forrest Tucker, with sultry jazz as the background music. But above all, this film celebrates Robert Redford and his long, distinguished career, and does so with a film that ties in seamlessly with everything Redford stands for and for which we have come to appreciate him for so long.