Going in Style

Going in Style

Year: 1979

Runtime: 97 min

Language: English

Director: Martin Brest

DramaComedy

When facing financial hardship in their retirement, three lifelong friends decide to take matters into their own hands. They devise a daring plan to rob a bank, hoping to reclaim their security and dignity. The heist becomes a journey filled with unexpected challenges, testing their friendship and forcing them to confront issues of aging and financial injustice with humor and heart.

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Timeline & Setting – Going in Style (1979)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Going in Style (1979). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The film reflects contemporary life for elderly individuals in an urban setting, particularly focusing on their struggles with modern financial issues such as reliance on social security. This relatable narrative anchors it in a recognizable, present-day context, emphasizing themes of adventure and risk in the twilight years of life.

Location

Astoria, Queens, New York City, Manhattan

The movie is set in Astoria, a vibrant neighborhood in Queens, New York City, known for its rich cultural diversity and lively atmosphere. Manhattan serves as a key location, especially during the bank heist that encapsulates the trio’s adventurous spirit. The hustle and bustle of the city contrasts sharply with the cramped life the characters lead, highlighting their desire for excitement.

🏙️ City 🏞️ Urban 💰 Financial

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:09

Main Characters – Going in Style (1979)

Meet the key characters of Going in Style (1979), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Joe (George Burns)

Joe is the spark of the trio, full of charisma and a mischievous spirit. His proposal to rob a bank reflects his desire to break free from the monotony of his life, revealing a deeper yearning for excitement. Despite his cheeky disposition, Joe also shows moments of vulnerability, particularly in his relationships with Al and Willie.

🧓 Elderly 🤡 Joker 🚀 Adventurous

Al (Art Carney)

Al serves as the cautious yet adventurous member of the group, torn between his reservations about the heist and the allure of excitement. His motivations are often intertwined with concern for his nephew, adding depth to his character. Al embodies both whimsy and wisdom, making him a relatable figure in the trio's escapades.

🧓 Elderly 🎭 Cautious 💭 Thinker

Willie (Lee Strasberg)

Willie is the more hesitant of the group, often displaying a pragmatic outlook towards their plans. His character represents the fears and anxieties that come with age, particularly surrounding health and mortality. As the film progresses, his emotional fate serves as a poignant reminder of the costs of their reckless pursuits.

🧓 Elderly 😟 Cautious ❤️ Caregiver

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:09

Major Themes – Going in Style (1979)

Explore the central themes of Going in Style (1979), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🏦 Crime

The film explores the theme of crime as a means to escape the monotony of elderly life. The protagonists' decision to rob a bank highlights their desperation and desire for a thrill, showcasing how they are driven to act out of boredom and financial necessity. Their adventure raises questions about morality and justice in the context of their struggles.

💔 Friendship

Friendship is a central theme as Joe, Al, and Willie share a deep bond formed through years of shared experiences. Despite their ages and the risky decisions they make, it's their camaraderie that drives them to pursue adventure together. The loss of Al tragically underscores the importance of their connections and the emotional weight of their choices.

💵 Wealth

The quest for wealth takes on a humorous yet poignant role in the film. The elderly men seek financial security and adventure through the bank robbery, revealing their hunger for a life beyond mere survival. Their windfall symbolizes hope and the fleeting nature of luck, raising questions about the true value of wealth in their later years.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:09

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Bittersweet Elderly Rebellion Movies like Going in Style

Stories where older characters reclaim their agency with defiant, poignant acts.If you enjoyed the defiant spirit and bittersweet tone of Going in Style, you'll find similar stories here. These movies feature older characters taking bold, often humorous, stands against the injustices of aging and financial insecurity, blending crime capers with poignant character drama.

defiantwhimsicalmelancholicreflectiveheartwarminglonelyhopeful

Narrative Summary

The narrative typically follows a group or individual in their twilight years who feels marginalized by society or personal circumstance. Spurred by a specific injustice or a desire for meaning, they embark on a carefully planned, often illegal, scheme. The journey is as much about camaraderie and rediscovering their own capabilities as it is about the goal, leading to an ending that is satisfying yet tinged with the inescapable truths of their situation.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread share a unique blend of tone: whimsical or humorous premises grounded in the sobering realities of aging. They feature steady pacing that allows for character reflection, medium emotional weight exploring themes of dignity and mortality, and a core of defiant optimism that makes the journey both entertaining and deeply moving.

Character-Driven Heist Movies like Going in Style

Crime capers where the characters and their bonds matter more than the score.For viewers who liked the friendship and emotional core of the heist in Going in Style, this section highlights similar crime capers. These are movies where the robbery itself is secondary to the characters' personal growth, their relationships, and the poignant or bittersweet consequences of their actions.

reflectivedefiantheartwarmingtensemelancholichopefulunderdog

Narrative Summary

The plot revolves around a group, often underdogs or outsiders, coming together to pull off a robbery. The planning and execution of the heist serve as a framework to delve into the characters' backstories, insecurities, and dynamics. The central tension comes from interpersonal conflict and moral dilemmas rather than just the risk of getting caught, leading to an ending that resolves the emotional arcs as much as the criminal one.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared focus on character development within the heist genre. They typically have a steady pacing that allows for meaningful dialogue and reflection, a medium intensity that balances suspense with emotional depth, and a tone that can range from bittersweet to hopeful, ensuring the story has substantive heart.

Unlock the Full Story of Going in Style

Don't stop at just watching — explore Going in Style in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Going in Style is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Going in Style Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Going in Style, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Going in Style Summary

Going in Style Timeline

Track the full timeline of Going in Style with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Going in Style Timeline

Going in Style Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Going in Style that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Going in Style Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Going in Style

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Going in Style: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Going in Style

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Discover movies like Going in Style that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.