The Old Man & the Gun
Directed by David Lowery
- comedy
- crime
- drama
The story
The true story of Forrest Tucker, from his audacious escape from San Quentin at the age of 70 to an unprecedented string of heists that confounded authorities and enchanted the public. Wrapped up in the pursuit are a detective, who becomes captivated with Forrest’s commitment to his craft, and a woman, who loves him in spite of his chosen profession.
What it’s like
Soft 16mm-style grain and warm, sun-faded Texas light give this film the feel of an old postcard left in a truck window, with easy handheld closeups on weathered faces and long unhurried shots of pickups on dusty roads, diners, and horse pastures. The palette leans on honey yellows, faded denim, and cool blue dusk, and the score is a light, jaunty guitar-and-piano lilt that drops out for stretches of quiet. Vibe: mellow, wry, and gently nostalgic, with a playful undercurrent. It suits a lazy Sunday afternoon, a comfort rewatch, or an evening with a glass of something amber. The pace is leisurely and conversational, and the emotional register is warm and bittersweet, following an aging charmer who refuses to slow down and the people who are drawn in by his stubborn grace. Violence is minimal and mostly off-screen, with a few tense moments involving a gun but nothing graphic; there is some mild profanity and a light romantic thread. Made for people who enjoy character-driven crime stories, the quiet pleasure of Robert Redford's presence, and films that treat late-life restlessness with humour and affection.
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