MOVIE REVIEW- OLD MAN AND A GUN

Old Man and a Gun *** ( out of four stars)

At 82, movie icon Robert Redford has decided to retire from acting and focus on directing. His final film is out now, called Old Man and a Gun, based on a true story. I saw the movie Saturday night at the beautiful, historic Colonial Theater in Phoenixville.

Redford plays a career criminal who is a gentleman bandit older adult, a guy who robs banks in broad daylight with only the hint of a gun inside his jacket and a smile. Everything is  tongue-in-cheek and good, swiftly-paced fun.

There are stories within the main story of a 74-year-old gentleman who robs banks. They are family dynamics , both with Redford's character, and the lead detective who tries to crack the case and finally catch the old guy, after years of robbing and being on the lam. The cop is played is his typical laid-back approached by Casey Affleck.

Redford meets a widow named Jewel, played by Sissy Spacek, who changes his life but not his thieving ways.  There are twists and turns along the way. You cheer for Redford's Robin Hood-like character, fascinated about why and how he does each robbery and escape. He's a nice guy and likeable, not a creepy lowlife criminal. We know he deserves to get caught and pay his debt to society, yet I found myself rooting for the guy.

Interesting watching Redford act. He's smooth, a real pro, and laughs at himself. Old photos and even film of Redford in his younger days are weaved into the story and makes it more personal and believable. Redford, despite the various wrinkles in his weather-worn face, still has a leathery, handsome, rugged persona.Sometimes it's hard to watch him, remembering how truly handsome he once was knowing the aging process is bound to wear us all down at some point. Kudos to Redord for growing old gracefully and not selling out on creepy surgery Even an older, aging Redford is still preferable compared to a surgical, tight-skinned star who can't accept growing old gracefully

The film had me guessing right to the end. There was still some unanswered questions left to debate. You will think about the story later .

I'll miss Redford. I especially loved him in The Natural and The Sting. Gone will be yet another actor I grew up with. Redford is perfect for this final role. I can't imagine anyone playing it now. Watching Old man and a Gun may encourage you to go on a Robert Redford marathon and check out some of his great older flicks.

 I'm glad he is going out on top and hope the movie does well, and just maybe, Redford will earn a nomination from the Academy for  Best Actor. Hard to believe he has only one Oscar in his career, that for Directing ( Ordinary People in the early 80s). This performance may not be good to win, but Redford deserves the recognition one last time.