The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Freeman turns to comedy with revised ‘Going in Style’
Morgan Freeman isn’t the retiring sort — at least when it comes to his acting career.
Slowing down may be the norm for other older actors, whether by choice or from lack of good roles. That’s not the pace Freeman prefers — he has more than a dozen film and TV credits in the last two years — and he fully intends to keep at it for as long as he can.
“You don’t decide if you’re going to take some time off or rest,” said the 79-year-old Oscar winning actor. “But for those of us who are able to work, you’ve got to make hay while the sun is shining.”
His latest film, “Going in Style,” which opens today, follows a trio of older friends who get cheated out of their pension plans. Desperate to pay bills and support family, they stage a heist on the very bank that stole their money.
Freeman stars alongside fellow acting titans Michael Caine, 84, and Alan Arkin, 83. (Among them, they have four Academy Award wins and 11 more nominations.) Two-time Oscar nominee Ann-Margret, 75, leads the supporting cast, which includes Keenan Thompson, John Ortiz, Christopher Lloyd and Joey King.
Directed by funnyman Zach Braff from a script written by “Hidden Figures’” director Theodore Melfi, the film is a remake of the 1979 comedy directed by Martin Brest starring George Burns, Art Carney and Lee Strasberg. But this version isn’t played just for laughs, according to Caine.
“We’re very different than the original because we’re much deeper about why they rob the bank,” Caine said by phone. “It’s a comedy with tremendous social depth. And it’s not boring.”
“Going in Style” is the sixth film that Freeman and Caine have made together — most notably the “Dark Knight” trilogy.
The two are used to people being surprised that older actors can carry a film — especially a comedy. Caine credits the success of 2012’s “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel,” which starred Maggie Smith, Judi Dench and other veteran actors, for their film getting made.
“That grabbed the attention of Hollywood because they found that older people were fed up with watching television and going out more and more,” he said. “And speaking personally, I don’t want to go see rockets blowing up the moon. I want to see movies about people.”
The Times spoke with Freeman out of New York, via Skype, about working with Caine and Arkin, ageism in Hollywood and not being “put out to pasture.” You’ve done a number of films that have been dubbed “geriatric buddy comedies” including 2013’s “Last Vegas.” Has this been a conscious choice?
It just happens on one hand. But, you know, Hollywood is green oriented. It’s not black or white or yellow or red. If it’s green, it’s Hollywood. So if you think about the industry, think about an ocean, which is in constant flux. That’s the same thing with Hollywood. They’re constantly trying to keep their ear to the ground looking for what people want to see and we’re called on. How did you come across the script for “Going in Style” and what attracted you to the role?
I got the script the same way I get all scripts, through my agent, and I liked it. I don’t know which came first, the chicken or the egg, and by that I mean if they told me who was going to be in it or if they were contemplating people. But that cast was a big come-on. What resonated with you most about the role?
I hate to sound crass but it’s a job. I’m gonna get paid to do it, and it’s a worthy script with a number of worthy coactors. How was it working with fellow veterans Michael Caine and Alan Arkin?
I’ve known them and their work for many years. I’ve known Michael personally for a lot of years. Though I didn’t know Alan personally, I know his work. So working with them, you’re with consummate professionals, and it makes a difference. Is there a message that you think audiences should take away from “Going in Style?”
I never can get into that. What I don’t want the audience to do is walk out and ask for their money back. But you can’t make a painting and then tell people what it’s about. They’ll tell you what they see. It’s like eyewitnesses who might see 14 different concepts of the same thing. So I don’t care what they walk away with, as long as they enjoy themselves.