Stand Up Guys
Stand Up Guys

Movie spotlight

Stand Up Guys

2012
Movie
95 min
English

After serving 28 years in prison for accidentally killing the son of a crime boss, newly paroled gangster Val reunites with his former partners in crime, Doc and Hirsch, for a night on the town. As the three men revisit old haunts, reflect on their glory days and try to make up for lost time, one wrestles with a terrible quandary: Doc has orders to kill Val, and time is running out for him to figure out a way out of his dilemma.

Insights

IMDb6.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes42%
Metacritic53/100
Google Users65%
Director: Fisher StevensGenres: Crime, Drama, Comedy

Plot Summary

Three aging gangsters are reunited for one last night on the town after one of them is released from prison. As they reminisce about their past and the changing world around them, they grapple with loyalty, mortality, and the consequences of their lifelong criminal endeavors. The night takes a poignant and ultimately tragic turn as they confront their fates and the bonds of their friendship.

Critical Reception

Stand Up Guys received mixed reviews from critics, with many praising the performances of its legendary lead actors but finding the script and plot to be somewhat predictable and underdeveloped. Audiences were generally more receptive, appreciating the chemistry between Pacino, Walken, and Arkin and the film's blend of humor and pathos.

What Reviewers Say

  • The film is elevated by the stellar performances of its veteran cast, particularly Al Pacino, Christopher Walken, and Alan Arkin.

  • Despite strong acting, the plot is often seen as formulaic and lacking originality.

  • The movie attempts a blend of gritty crime drama and poignant character study, with mixed success.

Google audience: Google users generally appreciated the film for its star power and the enjoyable chemistry between Pacino, Walken, and Arkin. Many found it a heartwarming if somewhat somber look at aging criminals and their friendships, though some felt it could have benefited from a stronger or more surprising narrative.

Fun Fact

The role of Val was originally offered to Mickey Rourke, but he was later replaced by Alan Arkin.

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