When Stand Up Guys ended my first instinct was that I didn't enjoy it. And then almost immediately it started to grow on me. If you closed your eyes and had a fantasy of spending a wild night with Al Pacino and Christopher Walken (and let's face it who of us hasn't done that) this would likely be that night. Its insane the things they go through. Its like The Hangover for Grumpy Old Men. But when you get past the absurdity of this story you find this emotional, sad, coming of age too late film where these former criminals are trying to find redemption or just peace with their lives. The script is a little sloppy at times and if the movie didn't have Pacino at the very least and Walken with him, I think this would have been a total wash because there is something about their undeniable charisma that makes this what it is. The ending was truly terrific and moving and disturbing and violent but it worked so well for the movie. Somehow you become attached to this violent criminals that are basically at the end of their life. Its hard to say when the film takes place because there are certain aspects of the movie that seem to make the timing ambiguous but that only serves to make it interesting.
Al Pacino really nails this. I mean this is Pacino doing what Pacino does best. He has some really great truly Pacino lines in the movie most of which I can't repeat in mixed company. If you love Pacino or at the very least respect him as a Hollywood legend then you'll appreciate this over the top, gritty, dark, performance. Somehow you just feel empathy for his character. Christopher Walken is a tough call in this movie. He is very, very subdued. At first I thought it was like he was trying to play an old man and really turning it up which is unnecessary because...well he is an old man. Then I thought he almost seemed bored at times but then I started dissecting his performance and I realize that his character is a quiet, brooding, contemplative man who is truly analyzing his life and what he has done. Pacino and Walken together are outstanding. Its a dream come true for people that grew up respecting these two as actors. And then you have Alan Arkin who is a great actor...don't get me wrong but this is the second film I have seen him in where he has such a small role (the first being Argo...an Oscar nod for that really?) His character in this film is great but it is very underused and it feels like he is hardly there. He does have that great scene in the brothel with the two girls but I felt like they could have done so much more with him especially exploring the relationship between the three of them. The supporting cast are all very good including Mark Margolis, Addison Timlin (who has a terrific emotional scene at the end), and Vanessa Ferlito. Although top billed Julianna Margulies is hardly in the film and has a small underused role that is mostly insignificant.
This won't be for everyone. One IMDb reviewer said that he felt like a much older crowd (60s plus) would appreciate this movie and I can understand why he says that but I think any movie lover who just stops to analyze what this movie was about at its heart and soul will find they like it far more than they think. I think this would have truly something had a more experienced director been at the helm. Quirky character actor Fisher Stevens (who knew he directed) does a decent job but really the film is relying heavily on Pacino's charisma on screen. Imagine if someone with really big talent like Clint Eastwood, or Ron Howard or even Steven Soderbergh had done this film. I think you would have seen an Oscar or two come from it. Instead, we have a decently done, moving film about two life long friends trying to find redemption. Walken is perfectly Walken and Pacino is completely Pacino and if that sounds like something you'd enjoy then you will!! Its far from perfect but it holds its own and gave me something to ponder long after it was over. "Its time to kick ass or chew bubblegum." "I'm all out of bubblegum." Could become a cult classic I think. 7/10
Al Pacino really nails this. I mean this is Pacino doing what Pacino does best. He has some really great truly Pacino lines in the movie most of which I can't repeat in mixed company. If you love Pacino or at the very least respect him as a Hollywood legend then you'll appreciate this over the top, gritty, dark, performance. Somehow you just feel empathy for his character. Christopher Walken is a tough call in this movie. He is very, very subdued. At first I thought it was like he was trying to play an old man and really turning it up which is unnecessary because...well he is an old man. Then I thought he almost seemed bored at times but then I started dissecting his performance and I realize that his character is a quiet, brooding, contemplative man who is truly analyzing his life and what he has done. Pacino and Walken together are outstanding. Its a dream come true for people that grew up respecting these two as actors. And then you have Alan Arkin who is a great actor...don't get me wrong but this is the second film I have seen him in where he has such a small role (the first being Argo...an Oscar nod for that really?) His character in this film is great but it is very underused and it feels like he is hardly there. He does have that great scene in the brothel with the two girls but I felt like they could have done so much more with him especially exploring the relationship between the three of them. The supporting cast are all very good including Mark Margolis, Addison Timlin (who has a terrific emotional scene at the end), and Vanessa Ferlito. Although top billed Julianna Margulies is hardly in the film and has a small underused role that is mostly insignificant.
This won't be for everyone. One IMDb reviewer said that he felt like a much older crowd (60s plus) would appreciate this movie and I can understand why he says that but I think any movie lover who just stops to analyze what this movie was about at its heart and soul will find they like it far more than they think. I think this would have truly something had a more experienced director been at the helm. Quirky character actor Fisher Stevens (who knew he directed) does a decent job but really the film is relying heavily on Pacino's charisma on screen. Imagine if someone with really big talent like Clint Eastwood, or Ron Howard or even Steven Soderbergh had done this film. I think you would have seen an Oscar or two come from it. Instead, we have a decently done, moving film about two life long friends trying to find redemption. Walken is perfectly Walken and Pacino is completely Pacino and if that sounds like something you'd enjoy then you will!! Its far from perfect but it holds its own and gave me something to ponder long after it was over. "Its time to kick ass or chew bubblegum." "I'm all out of bubblegum." Could become a cult classic I think. 7/10