Movie Review: The Old Man and the Gun

Review Written By Michael J. Ruhland

Michael's Movie Grade: A+

Review: Robert Redford has called this his last movie. If this is in fact true, he certainly goes out with a bang here. In The Old Man and the Gun Redford plays a gentleman bank robber. The performance he gives in this film is nothing short of extortionary. He plays the part with such an easygoing charm, that it is near impossible not to like this guy. Despite the fact he commits armed robbery many times just because he finds it fun, because of Redford's charismatic performance, we fall just as much for his charm as Sissy Spacek's character does. We almost forget there is anything bad about what he does, because he is so likable doing it. This is perfectly shown in a great scene in which a teller in a bank he is robbing, cries because this happened on her first day. He tries to cheer her up and lets her know she is doing a great job. All of this he does with an easygoing smile as if he were just walking down the street on a calm and peaceful day. Despite the fact that we are actually watching him rob a bank, we like him even more after this scene. Also helping is his chemistry with Sissy Spacek. Every time we see these two on screen together, the movie could not be better. They just simply light up the screen. This is definitely a role that most actors could never pull off, but Robert Redford makes it seem so easy and effortless. Director and writer David Lowery (who had directed Redford in Pete's Dragon), supposedly wrote the screenplay specifically for its star, as a tribute to the actor's great talent, and it shows.

Lowery also brings a lot to the table beyond just its star. This film is perfectly paced. It has a leisurely pace that creates a perfect easygoing feel that matches that of the main character. This film is also beautifully shot. Lowery used 16mm film, and definitely made excellent use of it. There are some images in this film that will stay in one's mind well after watching the movie. The image used above is one example. One of the best images involves our "hero" on horseback in the country with his back to the audience. This image is so strikingly beautiful that my jaw almost dropped seeing it. Actually much of this movie looks like an American film of the 1970's, a perfect look for a farewell to an actor who made many of his best films at that time. It keeps all the visual beauty of the best films of that era, and brilliantly invokes the past while still standing perfectly as its own thing.


This is a must see movie for pretty much anyone who enjoys great storytelling, with fantastic acting. This is one of the best movies of the year so far and the perfect farewell to a great actor.

-Michael J. Ruhland