Going in Style Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Old guys get mad about their pension and decide to rob a bank, but instead of facing consequences, they somehow become local heroes with better healthcare and love lives.

🍿 Going in Style: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction and Pension Crisis

Lifelong friends Joe, Willie, and Albert, all in their 70s, face financial hardship after their company’s pension fund is dissolved. Joe, facing foreclosure on his home where he lives with his daughter and granddaughter, feels particularly desperate. Willie needs a kidney transplant but struggles with the costs. Albert provides saxophone lessons and tries to keep active, but is also feeling the financial strain. Witnessing a bank robbery inspires Joe to take action. He proposes a daring plan: they will rob the very bank that holds their stolen pension money. While initially hesitant, Willie and Albert eventually agree, driven by their dire circumstances and the desire to secure their futures.

Planning and Training the Heist

The trio enlists the help of a shady acquaintance, Jesus, who runs a dog grooming business as a front but moonlights as a criminal consultant. Jesus provides them with basic training, covering everything from weapon handling (using blanks) to creating alibis. Their initial attempt at petty theft in a supermarket results in comical chaos, highlighting their inexperience but solidifying their commitment to the plan. As they prepare, each man faces personal challenges. Joe wants to ensure his family is secure, Willie grapples with his deteriorating health, and Albert navigates a budding romance with a local grocery store clerk. The planning phase provides moments of humor intermixed with the seriousness of their situation.

Executing the Bank Robbery

The day of the robbery arrives, and the trio, disguised in Rat Pack masks, executes their plan. Despite their age and lack of experience, they manage to pull off the heist, stealing over $2 million. However, things don’t go entirely as planned; Willie nearly collapses due to the heat, and a bank manager attempts to intervene. Following the robbery, the friends try to maintain a low profile while dealing with the aftermath. FBI Agent Hamer begins investigating the case, suspecting the unlikely trio. The friends must now use their cunning and quick thinking to evade capture and ensure the safety of their loved ones.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Joe Harding (Michael Caine): A desperate senior facing foreclosure, he masterminds the bank robbery to reclaim his and his friends’ stolen pension money.
• Willie Davis (Morgan Freeman): One of Joe’s lifelong friends, Willie is struggling with kidney failure and joins the heist hoping for financial relief.
• Albert Garner (Alan Arkin): The reluctant, grumpy member of the trio, Albert is eventually persuaded to participate in the robbery.
• Annie Santori (Ann-Margret): A flirty grocery store employee who becomes Albert’s love interest.
• FBI Agent Arlen Hamer (Matt Dillon): The skeptical FBI agent who investigates the bank robbery, becoming suspicious of the trio’s involvement.
• Jesus (John Ortiz): A dog groomer and experienced bank robber who trains the seniors and provides guidance for their heist.
• Brooklyn Harding (Joey King): Joe’s beloved granddaughter, whose well-being motivates him to take drastic measures.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Joe: “These banks practically destroyed this country. They crushed a lot of people’s dreams, and nothing ever happened to them.” – Joe expresses his frustration with the financial system, setting the stage for their drastic plan.
• Joe: “We three old guys, we hit a bank. We get away with it, we retire in dignity.” – Joe summarizes the motivation behind their decision to rob a bank, seeking a dignified retirement.
• Joe: “Worse comes to worst, we get caught, we get a bed, three meals a day, and better health care than we got now.” – Joe presents a darkly humorous upside to getting caught, highlighting their desperation.
• Albert: “This isn’t an admission of guilt. I’m just tired.” – Albert says this during the supermarket rehearsal robbery, epitomizing the comedy arising from their age and inexperience.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $25,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $45,018,541
• Worldwide Gross: $85,218,541

💥 Going in Style Reviews

Personal Review

I really enjoyed watching Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, and Alan Arkin on screen together; their chemistry was amazing. The movie was funny and heart-warming and I liked seeing the actors playing off each other, especially when Christopher Lloyd appeared. Although the plot might be predictable, it’s a fun movie that I would recommend to anyone looking for a feel-good movie.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of heist comedies”
  • “Viewers who enjoy films with ensemble casts”
  • “Audiences who appreciate lighthearted stories with themes of friendship and aging”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Some language”
  • “Brief drug references”
  • “Mild violence (bank robbery scenes)”

Professional Reviews

• IMDB: “Despite some predictable elements, ‘Going in Style’ delivers constant laughs and feel-good moments. The three Oscar winners Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman and Alan Arkin carry this film with class, making it hard not to enjoy. A genuinely fun trip to the theater.
• Kids First!: “Going In Style is the funniest film this year! I laughed so much that my stomach hurt. The jokes, action scenes and the motivation that these three men possess is so strong that it motivates me to jump over any obstacle in my way and complete any task I need to.
• IMDB: “This film has simplistic one-liners, quips and less aggressive comedy style, and shows the traditional style has not been lost quite yet. There isn’t much to warrant it for a movie theater visit, unless you are a fan of the traditional comedy and looking for a fun group/date movie.

Audience Reactions

The camaraderie between Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, and Alan Arkin made the movie fun and heartfelt.: The cast’s chemistry and performances are the highlights, making it a feel-good experience.

Viewers enjoyed the film’s light-hearted take on serious issues like pension loss and aging.: Many praised it as a great comedy that provides laughs without being too edgy or crude.

Overall Consensus: Going in Style is a feel-good comedy that is elevated by the performances and chemistry of its legendary cast, though some find the plot predictable and the humor broad.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “This film is a remake of the 1979 film of the same name starring George Burns, Art Carney, and Lee Strasberg.”
• “According to his autobiography, Michael Caine said this movie was the happiest he ever made because filming took place during his children’s school holidays and he was able to bring his whole family with him to stay close to the set.”
• “Director Zach Braff, known for ‘Garden State’ and ‘Wish I Was Here,’ aimed to update the original film while maintaining its heart.”

🖥️ How to Watch Going in Style?

Going in Style is available for streaming on various platforms. You can find it on services like Prime Video and Apple TV, where you can rent or purchase the movie. Check your local listings or streaming service for the most up-to-date availability. Physical copies, including Blu-ray and DVD, can also be purchased online or at major retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Going in Style, you might like these similar films:

• The Bucket List (2007): Features two older men embarking on adventures late in life, dealing with mortality and unfulfilled dreams, similar to the themes in ‘Going in Style’.
• Ocean’s Eleven (2001): A group of unlikely individuals plan and execute an elaborate heist, similar to the bank robbery plot in ‘Going in Style,’ but with a more serious tone and higher stakes.
• Grumpy Old Men (1993): Focuses on the comedic interactions and camaraderie between older men, similar to the dynamic between the leads in ‘Going in Style’.
• Dog Day Afternoon (1975): Features a chaotic and increasingly desperate bank robbery, albeit with more dramatic and suspenseful elements than ‘Going in Style’.

🛒 Going in Style Related Products

• Going in Style (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) [Digital]: Get the official soundtrack of Going in Style. Includes all the memorable tracks from the movie to enhance your musical library. Great for easy listening.
• The Bucket List [Blu-ray]: A similar movie featuring Morgan Freeman and an unlikely friendship and adventures, this Blu-ray makes a great addition to any movie collector’s shelf. A highly rated movie!
• Ocean’s Eleven [Blu-ray]: A Classic Movie Caper to keep in your Collection.
• Old Lives Matter T-Shirt: Show off your love of the movie with this funny shirt.

🎧 Soundtrack

Going in Style features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “St. Thomas” – performed by Sonny Rollins

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Witness the Hilarious Robbery Attempt in ‘Going in Style’

Get ready for a laugh-out-loud moment as these elderly gentlemen attempt a daring heist in this clip from ‘Going in Style.’ Their comical antics are sure to put a smile on your face.

A Touching Encounter in ‘Going in Style’

Prepare to be touched by this scene from ‘Going in Style,’ where a little girl’s innocent actions have a profound impact on the lives of the robbers.

✨ Rate