Going in Style: by Zach Braff

Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, and Alan Arkin
on the set of Going In Style.

            The new release of the film Going in Style is the reviving of the classic movie produced back in the 1979 by Warner Brothers; it too was named Going in Style, which was directed by Martin Brest. The film is a made up of three men whose brains aren’t aging quite as fast as their bodies are. Morgan Freeman, playing Willie, Michael Caine, playing Joe, and Alan Arkin, playing Albert, are totally in sync from start to finish in the film much like three notes played in a beautiful melody.

            One would think such symphony would come from three actors who have worked together their entire careers; sort of like in the movie, but this is the furthest from the truth. Going In Style is the first appearance that Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, and Alan Arkin are seen together in performance.

            Freeman and Caine do share some experiences together; they co-star together in six other films; however this is the first time either Freeman or Caine had the chance to work side by side with Arkin. And yet the chemistry is there. Freeman age 79, Caine age 84, and Arkin age 83 all perform in a crime film/ comedy and do so wholly; in other words they even performed their own stunts.

            MichaelCaine, or Joe, is the leading receiver when it comes to Oscar awards with two Best Supporting Actor awards. The first came after the movie Hannah and Her Sisters in 1987. The other award was based upon The Cider House Rules in 2000. As for Freeman and Arkin, they too received a Best Suporting Actor awards; however theirs were more recent. Freeman was award in 2005 for Million Dollar Baby. Arkin received his award in 2007 for the fillm Little Miss Sunshine. These awards serve as subtle evidence these man, although older than most, still have what it takes to get the job done.

            This film was made for the regular people, the everyday people, and primarily for the people who need to be saved. Zach Braff, the director for Going in Style, was also a part of two other films named, Garden State and I wish I was here, each of the films are about regular people living their lives but dreaming of something bigger, a better place, better circumstance and then; they realize the only person who can bring them to that better place or into a better circumstance is them. In Garden State one sees support and encouragement coming from the girlfriend. In I wish I was Here  the support is found in the family, but in Going In Style it’s found in friends; lifelong friends. These three friends realize they are what is left. When the job is over and the money runs out, when reality hits hard all they have is each other. Willie, Joe and Albert realize, They need their pie every day, and the only ones who will make that happen is them; it is up to them to save their lives, their families, and their health. It just so happens, the solution they come to, is to rob a bank.

            Yes the robbery and preparation and even the alibi is the comedic highlights of the film. However, these ideas and efforts are only partially Braff’s. Going In Style from 1979 was the inspiration to the 2017 remake. The efforts to revive the 1979 classic were appreciated. The key element of success was bringing three legends together which will thrive yet offer their own identity and own color to the film. There could not have been three men who were better suitable for this film.

            My belief is Zach Braff along with Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, and Alan Arkin pulled off reviving the 1979 Going In Style in a stlystic way that did the classic justice. The slight foul language combined with the age of all the actors only tickles the funny bone in everyone. The charismatic energy in these three men to each other stretches from one end of the spectrum to the other; their devotion stretches from watching soap-opras after a long day to donating a kidney in time of a life or death situation. Oh, and they are willing to rob a bank together; which displays their deep level of commitment to each other. They know that what they are about to do could land them in jail but they also realize what they are about to do is the only thing that will save their lives.

This film was made to inspire people to be more than just regular. It also begs it’s viewers to open their eyes and see the change their life needs, and to not fear making that change. Going In Style begs for no one to wait until they are too old to make a change in their life in order to start living; but if you do choose to wait, make the change in such a way that people can say: “they’re are going in style.”