Hollywood loves a safe bet. When Zach Braff sat down to direct the 2017 version of the Going in Style movie, he wasn't just making a heist flick; he was attempting to capture lightning in a bottle for the second time. Most people don't realize the original 1979 film was a gritty, somewhat depressing character study. The 2017 remake? It’s a whole different beast. It trades the existential dread of the George Burns era for a high-energy, socially conscious caper that honestly feels more relevant today than it did a few years ago.
You’ve got Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, and Alan Arkin. That’s basically the cinematic equivalent of a warm blanket. But look closer.
Underneath the jokes about Medicare and the physical comedy of three octogenarians trying to outrun the law, there's a biting critique of the American banking system. It’s a movie born out of the frustration of the "forgotten" generation. When Joe, Willie, and Al find out their pension has been frozen due to a corporate merger, they don't just complain. They decide to take back exactly what they’re owed. No more, no less. It’s that specific moral "gray area" that makes the film work.
The Heist That Isn't Really About Money
Most heist movies are about greed. You’ve got Ocean’s Eleven where they want the thrill and the Vegas glitz. Then you have the Going in Style movie, where the stakes are a mortgage and a grandkid’s birthday party. It’s grounded.
The plot kicks off when Joe (Caine) witnesses a bank robbery. Instead of being terrified, he’s inspired. He sees the efficiency. He sees the masked men get away with it while he's being told by a condescending bank manager that his house is going into foreclosure. The contrast is sharp. Braff uses a saturated, almost hopeful color palette that masks the desperation of the characters.
Willie (Freeman) is dealing with kidney failure but can’t afford to see his family. Al (Arkin) is just tired of the world. Their chemistry isn't forced because these actors have been friends for decades in real life. You can tell. The way they talk over each other, the specific timing of Arkin’s deadpan delivery—it’s not just "acting." It’s a masterclass in ensemble performance.
Comparing the 1979 Original to the 2017 Remake
If you go back and watch the Martin Brest original, it’s a total gut-punch. It’s slower. Darker. In that version, the heist is almost a desperate cry for help because they’re bored and dying.
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The 2017 Going in Style movie flips the script. It’s a "justice" movie. Screenwriter Theodore Melfi, who also wrote Hidden Figures, injected a sense of righteous indignation into the story. The villains aren't just guys with guns; the villains are the suits in the boardroom. This change was actually quite divisive among critics. Some felt it was too "sanitized" for a modern audience, while others argued that in a post-2008 financial crisis world, we needed to see the little guy win for once.
Behind the Scenes: The Cast’s Real Connection
Did you know Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine have appeared in over half a dozen movies together? From the Dark Knight trilogy to Now You See Me, their shorthand is legendary. On the set of the Going in Style movie, Braff reportedly let them ad-lib significantly.
Alan Arkin was the wild card.
Arkin, who sadly passed away recently, was known for his "less is more" approach. In the scene where they’re practicing their getaway in a grocery store, most of those confused looks from the background extras were real. They didn't always clear the store for every take. They wanted that raw, New York energy.
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The film also features a great supporting turn by Christopher Lloyd as Milton. It’s a small role, but it serves as a reminder of the era these actors represent. It’s a celebration of longevity in an industry that usually throws people away the second they get a wrinkle.
Why the Critics and the Audience Disagreed
If you look at Rotten Tomatoes, you’ll see a classic split. Critics gave it a 49%, but the audience score sits much higher at 63%. Why the gap?
- Critics felt the ending was too "neat." They wanted more of the 1979 grit.
- Audiences loved the wish-fulfillment. They liked seeing Grandpa stick it to the man.
- The pacing is undeniably brisk. At 96 minutes, it doesn't overstay its welcome.
- The humor relies heavily on "old man" tropes, which some found lazy, but others found relatable.
The truth is, the Going in Style movie wasn't trying to win an Oscar. It was trying to be a "Sunday afternoon movie." You know the type. You’re flipping through channels, or scrolling through a streaming service, and you see these three faces. You stay. You watch. You feel better afterward.
The Social Commentary Most People Missed
It's easy to dismiss this as a comedy, but the "pension heist" plot point is based on very real corporate maneuvers. In the mid-2010s, several major US companies came under fire for restructuring in ways that legally allowed them to dodge pension obligations.
The film highlights the absurdity of the "working man's" struggle. Joe worked at the same factory for 30 years. He did everything "right." The Going in Style movie argues that the social contract is broken. When the system stops working for you, do you have an obligation to keep working for the system? It’s a heavy question for a movie that features a scene of old men hiding frozen hams under their coats.
Key Filming Locations in Brooklyn
The movie is a love letter to a disappearing version of New York.
- Williamsburg: Before it was all high-rises and oat milk lattes.
- Queens: Specifically the Maspeth area, where the factory scenes were filmed.
- The Banks: They used several defunct bank buildings to get that cold, marble-heavy feel of a financial institution that doesn't care about you.
Actionable Takeaways for Movie Lovers
If you're planning on watching or re-watching the Going in Style movie, here is how to get the most out of it:
Watch the 1979 version first. Honestly, it makes the 2017 version much more interesting. You'll see where Braff paid homage—like the specific masks they use—and where he purposefully steered away from the depressing ending of the original.
Look at the background. The set design in Joe’s house is incredibly detailed. It’s filled with "clutter" that tells a story of a life lived. Photos of his late wife, old union cards, and tools. It’s a masterclass in visual storytelling that doesn't need dialogue.
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Pay attention to the score. Rob Simonsen composed the music. He blends classic heist-movie jazz with more modern, upbeat tracks. It’s what keeps the movie from feeling like a "retirement home" flick. It gives the film its pulse.
Check out the "making of" features. If you have the Blu-ray or access to the extras, watch the interviews. Hearing Freeman, Caine, and Arkin talk about their careers while sitting on a park bench is better than half the scripted scenes in modern cinema.
The Going in Style movie stands as a testament to the power of the ensemble. It reminds us that while the world might change, and banks might fail, friendship—and a well-planned heist—is timeless. It’s not a perfect movie, but it’s a necessary one. It gives a voice to a demographic that Hollywood often ignores unless they’re playing "the wise mentor" or "the dying relative." Here, they are the heroes. They are the ones with the plan. And they’re going out on their own terms.