The Old Man and his Gun is a charming movie
based on a true story. Forest Tucker liked to rob banks. He was good at it,
too, until he got caught and then he was pretty good at escaping prison
(including building his own boat and sailing out of San Quentin island). But
that’s back story. 1981, We meet Forest (played by the excellent Robert
Redford) as a dapper dressed, polite older gentleman robbing banks in Texas,
Arkansas, and beyond. He appears elusive until John Hunt (Casey Affleck), a
Dallas cop, digs deep to pursue the man. It’s a cat and mouse game, and really
fun to watch.
Meanwhile, Forest meets Jewel (the sublime Sissy Spacek). He
says he robs banks, but she doesn’t believe him. They meet at a diner when he’s
in town, and ultimately spend time chatting and sitting on her lovely ranch
front porch. Oh he spins quite a few stories, says only married once a long
time ago with no kids. Says he’s a salesman. No matter what, he speaks with a
twinkle in his eye and a thoughtful manner. Their screen time together is so
pleasant.
So, in ninety minutes you get to meet the bank robber, his
buddies (dubbed by the news as The Over the Hill Gang), his lady friend, and
the cop. You get the build-up, the behind the scenes planning, the cop figuring
out the puzzle, and you root for everyone concerned. Yes, the old man has a
gun, but this is not a violent movie. So, sit back, enjoy the ride, watch a
masterclass in acting, and enjoy the dialogue and the silence too. The
Old Man and his Gun is quite a true story- you just can’t make this
stuff up.
