Caper and Comedy: A Critique of Going in Style

Going in Style, 1979

Directed By: Martin Brest

Link to Trailer

The film Going in Style centers on three old friends who, after experiencing financial troubles in retirement, plan to rob a bank. Joe, Al, and Willie, the three major protagonists, are all retirees striving to make ends meet while living on low incomes. Joe, is informed that his bank has been taken over and that his pension will be significantly decreased. While Willie, has medical bills that he can't pay, Al, is facing foreclosure on his home. The three decide to take matters into their own hands and come up with a plan to rob the bank that's to blame for their financial problems after feeling annoyed and helpless. They carefully plot the theft, making use of their age to appear innocent and remove suspicion. The contrast between the old men and the idea of them robbing a bank is what makes the movie amusing. They successfully carry out the robbery while making an escape with the cash as they execute their plan. The film explores topics of aging, friendship, and the challenges faced by senior individuals in modern society. Although their heist gives them some immediate relief, it also causes a number of unexpected and humorous circumstances.

In the film Going in Style, the plot driver is the bank robbery itself. Al, Willie, and Joe take steps to address their financial difficulties. The three elderly friends carefully organize and carry out the bank robbery in order to solve their financial troubles and regain some control over their lives, which turns out to become the plot's main focus.

The 3 main acts of the film begin with Joe, Al, and Willie, three seniors who are struggling to make ends meet on their small pensions, introduced to us in the movie. Joe learns that his bank is being bought out, and as a result, his pension will be significantly cut. Al is in danger of losing his home owing to financial issues, and Willie is dealing with increasing medical costs. The three buddies decide to take matters into their own hands and devise a bank heist as a means of resolving their financial issues because they are frustrated and feel that they have nothing to lose.
The careful planning of the bank robbery is the main subject of the movie's second act. Joe, Al, and Willie analyze the structure of the bank, come up with ways to avoid being noticed, and create a complex strategy to execute the heist. The three pals encounter a number of difficulties as they carry out their plan, but they are still able to pull off the heist.
The trio must deal with the repercussions from their successful bank heist.
They temporarily feel better thanks to their new cash, but they also run into funny circumstances and unforeseen difficulties. They are investigated while they attempt to enjoy their loot, which puts their friendship to the test. 

The main character changes that I noticed were firstly in Joe, he is introduced in the movie as a polite, law-abiding individual who finds it difficult to deal with his decreasing pension and the coming financial disaster.
When Joe decides to rob the bank, his character undergoes a huge transformation as he embraces a more rebellious and courageous part of himself. Joe assumes a leadership position among the three buddies during the preparation and execution of the robbery, showcasing creative thinking and fast thinking. Joe defies the idea that he is an elderly guy who is weak and powerless as the theft progresses by become more forceful and self-assured. Joe eventually gains an unexpected sense of purpose and learns the value of friendship, trust, and sticking up for oneself.

 Al, he is shown in the beginning of the movie as a sweet and kind-hearted man who is quite concerned about the possibility of losing his home. Al's involvement in the bank heist transforms him as he faces his fears and hesitations and accepts the idea of taking charge of his fate. Al's dedication to the theft demonstrates his determination and decision-making, traits that had previously been fairly hidden in him. Al's warmth and sense of humor help the three buddies bond throughout the movie, which has a favorable impact on the dynamics of the group. Al is able to emerge from his shell, assert his authority, and find greater confidence and an adventurous spirit through the experience of the robbery. 

Willie, Willie is first shown as being the most weak and defenseless of the three friends, mostly because of his failing health and mounting debts. Willie makes a drastic change by joining the bank heist effort and taking a chance despite his health worries. Willie's persistence and will throughout the movie surprise both him and his friends, demonstrating that he is not as helpless as he originally thought. Willie uses the theft to reclaim his sense of power and influence over his life, giving him the confidence to take on difficulties head-on. By the movie's conclusion, Willie has developed into a figure who is an example of a humans ability for perseverance in the face of difficulty.




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