Rated R for language, sexual content, violence and brief drug use.
Starring
Al Pacino, Christopher Walken, Alan Arkin, Julianna Marguilies, Mark
Margolis, Lucy Punch, Addison Timlin, Vanessa Ferlito, Katheryne
Winnick.
Written by Noah Haidle.
Directed by Fisher Stevens.
GRADE: ** (two out of 4 stars)
GOSPEL-DOCTRINE-O-METER: One Moroni (*). Set in a world of mob guys engaged in "Secret Combinations" there really isn't a lot of gospel quality in this film, with the possible exception of true friendship in the face of adversity (a.k.a. "honor among thieves").
It's
tough to see some of your favorite actors get a little long in the
tooth. The normal procedure for an acclaimed, yet aging actor is to
transition from starring roles into supporting “characters.” For some of
the more accomplished film veterans, this transition is easy. For
others, they often ride into the sunset kicking and screaming. I'm
getting the impression that Al Pacino fits into the category of those
less inclined to take the “character” roles, as witnessed by his
appearance in Stand Up Guys, the story of aging mobsters out for one
last night on the town.
Pacino plays Val (short for Valentine),
an ex-con just released from a 30-year stint in prison. His best buddy
Doc (Christopher Walken) picks him up and reintroduces Val into the ways
of freedom by taking him for drinks and dinner. Val soon learns that
Doc has been commissioned by their old mob boss (Mark Margolis) to
execute him, since Val inadvertently shot and killed the boss' only son
just prior to entering prison. Rather than resist, Val enlists Doc to
hook up with their old buddy Hirsch (Alan Arkin), who has been living
out his golden years in a rest home. The trio take a stolen hot rod and
head out for a night on the town that includes visiting a few
prostitutes, taking vengeance out on a few small-time hoodlums who
kidnapped and raped a woman they found in the trunk of the stolen car,
several trips to Doc's favorite diner, and little shopping for new
suits.
In the end, Doc must decide whether to kill his pal or come up with a better solution.
Stand
Up Guys has the benefit of fine performances from three very talented
actors. The trouble is, all three of them are not leading men, better
suited for the aforementioned “character” roles. The result is a film
that moves along slowly, as three old guys rehash the “old days” (which
compromises most of the dialogue). There are a certainly few funny
moments and a little drama, but Stand Up Guys is a movie that will add
years to your life.
And there's the rub. Finding an audience for
Stand Up Guys will be a difficult task, as the senior crowd is not
usually drawn to movies about old mobsters, while the younger crowd
seems enamored by movies about vampires, superheroes and party scenes.
Stand Up Guys is rated R for a substantial amount of salty language and some violence.
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