Rating of
2/4
Stand Up Guys review
Daniel Corleone - wrote on 02/18/13
Individuals who have stellar careers who have been connected with cool films such as The Deer Hunter, Dead Zone, Seven Psychopaths, The Godfather, Scent of a Woman, Argo, and Grosse Point Blank. A wise-guys Bucket List stumbles because of lackluster screenplay, lousy direction, dull soundtrack and an underutilized powerful cast. Val (Al Pacino) gets released after several years and his friend Doc (Christopher Walken) meets-up with him. Problem is, there is a contract to take-out Val. Their old reliable driver, Hirsch (Alan Arkin) is met by the pair. Not much humor, actually not a lot for a comedy. Even the conclusion was immensely disappointing after the build-up of the friendship.
This reviewer feels the three talents agreed to do this was to have an opportunity to work together. Evidently the weak script is eclipsed by the great acting. The constant jabbering in the beginning doesn't help much and it doesn't seem to have its own identity. One would ask, is this a drama? comedy? action? dark comedy? It mixes those elements and just give the viewer sufficient filling from some stylish violence. Overall, good to see a personal favorite, Pacino, in top form with the dexterous Walken and fantastic support of Arkin. So much potential at hand and yet just wasted, Stand Up Guys wishes we could see more of the three and even learn about their historical background.
