Stand Up Guys

Plot synopsis:
Released from prison after serving 28 years, Val reunites with his old friend and partner Doc. Doc has been ordered by mob boss Claphands to kill Val as soon as he gets out. One of the first things Val wants is to visit a local brothel, which is run by Wendy. After Val is unable to perform, he and Doc break into a drugstore where Val consumes a larger dose of Viagra than what is prescribed. After a return to the brothel, Val tells Doc that he's ready to party. They go to a club, where Val shares an intimate dance with a younger woman.
After snorting some pills, Val passes out, so Doc contemplates killing him then and there. Instead, he takes Val to a hospital where the head nurse is Nina, their old friend Hirsch's daughter. Thereafter, they go to a local diner where Val correctly guesses that Doc is to kill him. Doc says he's been given until 10 a.m. to do the job, or else he will be killed as well. Val breaks into a black Dodge Challenger SRT8, and they go to get Hirsch, who had once been their getaway driver. Hirsch gets behind the wheel and almost immediately into a highway chase with the police. Asked what he wants to do next, the widowed Hirsch chooses the brothel, since he hasn't slept with anyone since his wife.
After they leave, the three men hear sounds coming from the Challenger's trunk. In it, they find a naked Sylvia, who was kidnapped by men who abused her, then threw her into the trunk. Sylvia tells them where the kidnappers are. Val and Doc go there, then shoot a couple of them. After tying everyone up, Sylvia comes in with a baseball bat, whereupon Doc and Val leave her to her revenge. Back at the car, Doc and Val find that Hirsch has died. They break the news to Nina, who helps the two bury her father at the cemetery. Doc and Val return to a diner, where the young waitress (who waits on them several times) is revealed to be Doc's granddaughter Alex, who adores Doc, but has no clue who he is. Doc makes a phone call to Claphands, begging him to show Val mercy, since he has only a few years left. Claphands reveals that he knows about Alex, and that he will hurt her if Doc doesn't complete the job.
Doc writes a letter to Alex, puts his home keys inside the envelope, then pins it to the wall of the diner. Walking down the street at sunrise, Val spots a church and he goes inside to give a priest his confession. Next, they break into a tailor shop, where they try on suits. Two thugs working for Claphands interrupt them, pestering Doc to get the job done. Doc and Val shoot them both. Alex goes to Doc's apartment. The phone rings. It's Doc and he asks what she thinks of his paintings of sunrises. When he was painting, Doc says, he was thinking of her. A shoe box in the closet is filled with cash. The rent has been paid in advance for a year. He tells Alex goodbye and Alex calls him her grandfather. He tells Alex that he loves her and hangs up.
Strolling down to Claphands' warehouse, Doc and Val draw their pistols and open fire. A firefight commences, during which Doc and Val shoot at Claphands and his men, killing both of the latter. A firefight between them and Claphands ensues. The camera pans above the building, and the sky turns into one of Doc's sunrise paintings.

Tags: revenge

Review:
Not having gotten around to watching "Stand Up Guys" before now was a mistake on my behalf, especially given the three acting heavyweighters that stars in the movie; Al Pacino, Christopher Walken and Alan Arkin."Stand Up Guys" is a good comedy that has a nice story to tell.
There is a really good chemistry between Pacino and Walken, and this really reflects well on both characters that they play, because there is a very good sense of friendship and intimacy's with one another as they are on the screen.The movie offers drama, action, comedy and even a high speed chase."Stand Up Guys" is a fun and great movie, which offers 95 minutes of great entertainment.
This as good as it gets in the real sense, everything perfect, three great actors the mainstay of this movie, no words to describe anyone of them, Julianna Margulies a good actress herself looks wooden in comparison, though it would be unfair.Whatever little violence there is has been underplayed to highlight the human aspect, heartwarming, not lacking in its comic moments, in fact it have everything, crime, drama, friendship, love, etc., etc., The movie has a warmth about it, well told story, superb acting and apt music for the film , one would wish they were a part of it, for a change Walken is sane, Pacino proves again he can be good at anything, you can't help but love Arkin in the cameo, I am a fan from his "wait until dark" days.I did not expect any fireworks, I watched it for the cast, and I was not disappointed, an inferior cast may have not stood up to the challenge.Overdone a little with the empty deserted streets, but the characters more than make up for any flaws A must watch movie, I give this 8/10 Al Pacino, Christopher Walken & Alan Arkin = A NEAR MASTERPIECE.
I wasn't expecting anything crazy here, but I got a low-key drama featuring three very fine actors admittedly in their twilight years, a relatively good script, some good comedy, and the theme of friends being reunited after 28 years.Fisher Stevens directs a film about a man named Val who has been released from prison after 28 years for being a stand up guy or a loyal friend.
Christopher Walken is another screen legend and does a great job as the calm Doc. Alan Arkin, who seems to be having a career resurgence, does an excellent job in his limited role.Overall, Stand Up Guys is not the greatest movie about friendship, but it is effective enough.
Christopher Walken may had made his mark this year with Seven Psychopaths, but it's not until Stand Up Guys playing opposite Al Pacino and Alan Arkin that truly brought out a finer performance, making this Fisher Stevens directed movie one of the best this year so far in a tale about what it means to be friends.Written by Noah Haidle, the story centers around Doc (Walken) who becomes the only one to meet long time friend and collaborator Val (Pacino) when he comes out of prison after 28 years.
Doc is given a deadline until 10am the next day, or face further consequences that don't need any spelling out.So in what would be like a last hurrah to celebrate their friendship, reminisce about old times, and essentially complete one's last supper with meals, drugs, getting laid and the whole shenanigans, Stand Up Guys follow the duo, which became a trio once they pick up Alan Arkin's Hirsch, through a night filled with a series of random adventures, from stealing cars, to picking up girls, and spend what would be their best time together before the inevitable had to happen.
And it was such a pleasant ride that you'd hope it would have moved in real time instead, and more, with regular pit stops made at different points in the narrative that was as funny as they were necessary, to move the plot forward.The success of this movie came from the story by Haidle, who had created quality characters filled with humanity in them, that they become a lot more than just characters on screen, but closer to people you would truly and easily care for, especially as the clock goes ticking away towards the deadline.
The script's witty, and comical when it wants to, providing Pacino's Val with some of the best lines in the film, sometimes tinged with melancholy especially his eulogy about death - which you would have heard over the trailer - and often times filled with wry humour as a dead man would in knowing that his end is near.Christopher Walken, playing off opposite Pacino, was the relatively serious counterpoint to Val, and I felt he stole the show from the more showy Pacino character through quieter moments, with plenty of emotional baggage of his character being worn on his sleeve given Doc's family issues, and the weight and pressure of having been assigned to bump off a good friend, which is something nobody should be put through.
Alan Arkin's role may be the relatively smaller one, but when these three veterans get together, it's nothing but pure magic in the way cinema lights up when well written and developed characters get fleshed out by A- list performances, making it almost direct itself - no intent meant to take the shine from director Stevens for a job well done.And the expanded supporting characters also added a little something special, especially those that dealt with family, because after sitting through this, and being dispensed with plenty of words of wisdom about love and life, you can't help but to fall in love with a film that had plenty of heart and soul.
for me anyway.With actors like Al Pacino, Christopher Walken, Alan Arkin, Julianna Margulies, Lucy Punch, Craig Sheffer and the one I have never seen before Addison Timlin, how could this be a bad movie.The car chase was simply great and the brothel scenes afterward were very witty.There are so many understated funny moments in this movie if you don't at least crack a smile you must be dead.I loved the report between Al Pacino and Christopher Walken, they are such good actors they made it all seem natural which it was, they have a few things to show the new actors of today.Julianna Margulies may not have been in it much, but in my biased opinion (I love The Good Wife) she is absolutely stunning and I will always adore her.The final phone call had me in tears, and the final scenes were how I hoped the movie would end.Don't listen to the nay sayers and do yourself a favour, go see this at the first opportunity.9 out of 10.
I guess that "Stand Up Guys" is intended to be Al Pacino and Christopher Walken's version of "The Bucket List," since apparently every aging male movie star is required to have one before wrapping up his career.
And true to the body of work of these two seminal actors, this outing takes the form of a crime comedy/drama, in which they portray geriatric gangsters, one (Walken) retired and the other (Pacino) just paroled after 28 years in the slammer (I use the word "slammer" intentionally in an attempt to capture at least some of the anachronistic flavor of this throwback to a bygone era of gangster-movie melodrama).
When they're not trying to procure Viagra, they're lamenting the good old days, banging hookers, or going off on little escapades like breaking their buddy (Alan Arkin) out of a retirement home for some just-for-old-times-sake "tough guy" fun-and-games on the road.Directed by Fisher Stevens, the movie feels as wheezy and creaky as the characters it's depicting.
The result is patronizing and condescending to both the actors and the members of the audience regardless of their ages.There's also a sequence at a cemetery (with a hapless Julianna Margulies bearing witness to it) that's a strong contender for Least Plausible Scene of the Year Award.As to the performers themselves, Walken's effective underplaying is not sufficient to counteract Pacino's nonstop scenery-chewing.And while it's nice to see actors of a certain age getting movie roles these days, does it really have to be in a vehicle of roughly the same vintage?.
After twenty-eight years in prison, Valentine "Val" (Al Pacino) is released on probation and his old friend Doc (Christopher Walken) waits for him to bring him home in his old car.
"Stand Up Guys" promises too much while securing Al Pacino, Christopher Walken and Alan Arkin in the front row but delivers less than expected with its usual crime/comedy elements focusing on aging criminals and very few to say.
The cast chemistry is good (but Pacino already had movies with the other guys, sharing scene with Arkin in "Glengarry Glen Ross" and with Walken in "Gigli" although they don't share scenes in that thing) and it's probably the only reason why everybody wants to see this movieBut it's terribly generic.
A nod to old school gangster films, with Walken, Pacino and Arkin at their most vulnerable yet confident like the bad guy from '300'.
I'm not revealing anything, just that it is a pretty cool scene with an end that symbolizes the dearth of good actors in Hollywood these days.Walken and Pacino reminisce about old times and the plot (not saying a thing again), and these scenes are the heart of the movie.
Mount Everest just moved into my pants.' Remember the 'hoo ha'?I'll end this review with an exchange of dialogue that says it all about the movie:Hirsch (Arkin): Hey, Val, it's like the old days, isn't it?
Stand Up Guys is a movie that as soon as you get over the first 35 minutes of grossness and drama + intro, all that is left is a bag full of laughs and eye brow raising scenes, that made me enjoy watching the movie and even wanting more, because the movie ending is left open for you to fill in the blanks.The movie is composed of two old stars, Al Pacino and Christopher Walken and its original song is done by Jon Bon Jovi.
My favorite scene is when Pacino is taken to the emergency room because he popped too many Viagra pills, look out for that scene.The movie is about Val (Pacino), who just got released from jail after 28 years, all because he refused to rat out his friends Doc (Walken) and Richard Hirsch (Alan Arkin).
After his release, Val craved excitement one that he pushed Doc to provide, Doc did his best and that night turned from, just getting Val laid to, breaking into stores, rescuing a rape victim, busting Richard of an old people's home and out running the cops.Val's release also led to a confession and a funeral.What Stand Up Guys is composed of is good acting, the cinematography is not exceptional, the screenplay on the other hand is masterful and captivating, the moment Alan Arkin is introduced we get to see some cool driving stunts that was meant to make you wonder what these characters were like in their younger days.
Sterling performances coupled with a knockdown knockout script and genuine laugh-out loud moments and lots of heart produces what was for this viewer one of the better comedies pf the year.Seriously, this is exactly what going to the movies should be all about: great acting, entertaining and a fun way to forget life for a while.The plot has Pacino, out of the slammer after 28 years, seeing his best friends Walken and Arkin for what turns out to be more than just his parole night out.
I'm a fan of all three male leads, especially, Christopher Walken and Alan Arkin (Pacino has always been over-rated and the same character in every film) but this effort fell so flat.Perhaps, we're supposed to find ourselves sympathetic to these rapidly aging ne'er do wells, but nothing redeeming ever emerges for me.
In the first film of 2013 worse than "Movie 43", "Stand Up Guys", which contains a rather intriguing premise, is absolutely ruined by a perfect storm of tonally clunky direction, a script filled with some of the stupidest dialogue (I swear, some of the lines here are out-and-out plagiarized) and a wealth of surprisingly terrible acting from Al Pacino, Alan Arkin and Christopher Walken; not to mention, Lucy Punch (Bad Teacher) doing one of her worst accents yet.
The Plot: In yet another elderly "let's get the band back together" storyline, Pacino and Walken (who each play annoying versions of themselves) are a couple of aging hit-man types that go by the names Val and Doc; who also happen to be best friends.
Yes, it doesn't help that Pacino can hardly move anymore or that Arkin and Walken continue to play caricatures of themselves, or even how each one of these actors very particular voice cadences gets in the way of any sentimentality "Stand Up Guys" should have had, but at the end of the day, no real excuse can be made for performances which come across as though each actor is reading this script for the first time.
Former stick-up guy Val (Al Pacino) is released from prison after 28-years and Doc (Christopher Walken) is there to meet his old friend in crime.
No, not really, but is it worth watching for the joy of seeing Al Pacino, Christopher Walken and Alan Arkin join talents – most definitely 'yes.'Valentino/'Val' (Al Pacino) is an old school, small time, two-bit crook who took the fall for a botched robbery 28 years prior.
And what a great surprise it was when I saw myself tremendously enjoying a great movie with two of my beloved actors, Pacino and Walken, who superbly underacted their roles to produce a magnificent climax from beginning to end.Oh man, it was such a delight to watch these two veteran actors, acting side by side as smoothly as breathing, giving the impression of having a great time all along.
I cannot not watch that!Stand Up Guys, like I heard somewhere over the internet, is a bucket list movie of people who don't know that cars nowadays have push and start system.The story is pretty simple about three old friends who meet up for the last time to enjoy and party hard.
Christopher Walken, his friend, is assigned to kill him by a vindictive mob boss; so the two decide to live Pacino's last hours with style like their old days.The movie is quite a delight to watch.
The film really comes down to actors: Christopher Walken, Al Pacino and Alan Arkin.And that is what makes this even more difficult -- even the acting hardly deserves special praise, as these are guys who can just show up and enthrall us.
Though i have given the movie only a 6 out of a possible 10,i gotta say it is a thoroughly enjoyable watch.Only for fans of Christopher Walken,Al Pacino and/or Alan Arkin.For others the movie can come off as "lacking substance","a tad slow" or "uneventful"..Now forgive me for using such bland words in italics for a movie featuring star actors of yesteryear but its only to say this film was probably never meant to be eventful or fast paced or having any substance other than the thick satisfying good old camaraderie portrayed between a bunch of aged guys that Hollywood so easily can exploit given a simple storyline and a sufficient all star cast..The only part which is quite out of place is the dialogues which can get a bit boring especially for people who don't know what this cast is made of and can tend to ignore the tiny bits like facial expressions of the cast on which the direction seems to have relied a lot..The plot though simple has enough instances to showcase the acting talents of the wonderfully great Al Pacino(put him in any movie,a true Godfather fan WILL watch)..it sometimes feels as if it s a safe carefully played bet purely meant for Al Pacino fans with his typical raw yet meaningful smiles,typical body language and bold style;but thats only critical to the screenwriters who you feel could have given him more.But then comparing this with other films can never do justice for just the same reasons.Another actor who deserves special mention is the often underplayed underrated Chris Walken with his suave looks and expressionless yet revealing face..!he delivers 100 percent throughout even if he is just staring...Alan Arkin after his success in the wonderfully intricate Argo plays a sumptuous cameo( sadly its not long enough you feel;here is a special scenario when you feel three is never a crowd)..he just seems to fit exactly in the space between Al Pacino and Walken it just seems so right..But then this is compensated by the emotionally well portrayed last few bits of the movie which reveals brotherhood can travel a lot more outside the fun box..In short a movie very reminiscent of these actors' wonderful talent supported by the essence of the film that is the lifelong brotherhood in addition to a more than average ending,this is a must watch for Al Pacino fans out there and yes "The Scent of a woman" star dances again..This is my first review in IMDb..so kindly forgive any mishaps and hope it was useful in making a choice..!thanks.
Apparently, from what I've seen, the majority of people who watched 'Stand Up Guys' really enjoyed it.I'm not saying that it wasn't an okay film, but, based on having two of the greatest actors in the leading roles, I thought it was going to be better than it was.Christopher Walken plays a hit-man who's charged with the task of 'offing' Al Pacino who has been released from prison after 28 years.
Stand Up Guys is a crime comedy film that features cinema icons namely Al Pacino, Christopher Walken, and Alan Arkin.The screenplay revolves the activities around three old criminals.It was written by Noah Haidle and directed by Fisher Stevens.The story starts when Val gets out of prison after 28 years behind bars.