Movie Guide

Robert Redford’s swansong

★★★★

Dir: David Lowery

Starring: Robert Redford, Sissy Spacek

12A 93M

If this is indeed to be the last time we’ll see Robert Redford on the big screen, as the great man himself has intimated, it’s a fitting swan-song for the movie legend. This “mostly true” drama tells the story of a habitual criminal who escapes from San Quentin at the age of 70 and then proceeds to embark on a cross-country crime spree, robbing small-town banks with fellow veterans (played by Danny Glover and Tom Waits) in tow, and with cop Casey Affleck on his trail. Always courteous, never violent, Redford’s character becomes something of a folk hero: the bank tellers describe his smiling politeness and even detective Casey Affleck has taken something of a shine to him. Beautifully shot and paced by Lowery, The Old Man & The Gun features a superb ensemble cast – Sissy Spacey is a stand-out – but this is Redford’s film from start to finish. Even at the age of 82, Redford has more movie star wattage in his little finger than most of today’s A-listers can generate in their entire CV.