Iffy for 16+
Amusing but vulgar, violent "old school" crime comedy.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Stand Up Guys is a crime comedy starring Christopher Walken, Al Pacino, Alan Arkin as three septuagenarian criminals who are reunited over one long night. Questions of loyalty and consequences come up from time to time, though the movie doesn't explore these themes very deeply. Violence is an issue, with a fair amount of fighting, punching, shooting, and blood. There's also sexual content: Characters take Viagra and have sex with prostitutes (off screen), one character sleeps with two women at once (also off screen), and a woman is found naked in a trunk, though no sensitive body parts are shown. Language is strong, with multiple uses of "s--t," "f--k," and more. Characters drink plenty of alcohol and smoke cigarettes over the course of their long night, and they have a supply of prescription pills. (One character breaks open the capsules and experiments with snorting them.) Teens may not be interested in this story of older guys, but those who are need to be mature enough to handle the content.
- Families can talk about Stand Up Guys' violence. How frequently is it shown? How does it build up over the course of the story? How much of it is necessary to the story?
- How does the movie depict drinking and smoking? Are there any consequences? How else do the characters indulge themselves? What do they do that's good for them?
- In one scene, the characters discuss "consequences" for bullies' actions. What do these consequences consist of? Is this a good way to deal with bullies?
- The movie has several jokes and lines about "old school" tactics over "new" things. Are there certain old ways that are better than new ways? What about the other way around?
The good stuff
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Messages: Much of the movie relies on iffy behavior with few consequences, but one character must decide between committing murder to protect his own safety and protecting his best friend instead; he chooses loyalty and friendship. The movie also deals with the idea of "consequences" for some bullies who've mistreated a woman, though it translates into simple revenge.
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Role models: Most of the characters are criminals or lowlifes of some kind; the "good guys" are simply less awful than others. But one secondary character, a waitress in an all-night diner, demonstrates kindness and patience, and the movie shows the rewards that this can have and how far acts of kindness can go.
What to watch for
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Violence: The violence doesn't really pick up until about halfway through the movie, after that there's plenty of it, including punching and fighting, shooting, and blood. A man is smashed in the crotch, and the movie climaxes with a bullet-ridden shootout. A main character dies. There are also heavy threats and suggestions of violence in the dialogue. A doctor plunges a hypodermic needle into a character's penis (off screen) after that character takes too much Viagra.
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Sex: The main characters visit a brothel. One takes extra amounts of Viagra (only referred to as "boner pills") and sleeps with a prostitute off screen. A second character sleeps with two women at once, a prostitute and the woman at the front desk, both off screen (and without Viagra). A naked woman is found in a car trunk, but she's filmed curled up so that nothing is shown. Also very strong innuendo throughout, such as when a main character tries to pick up three women in a bar.
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Language: Very strong language includes many uses of "f--k," plus "s--t," "whore," "ass," "a--hole," "d--k," "boner," "damn," "goddamn," "oh my God," and "pecker."
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Consumerism: Viagra plays a big role in the movie, though it's not mentioned by name specifically.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Characters stay up all night and drink a lot of alcohol. They also break into a pharmacy and steal several bottles of prescription pills (mostly for things like cataracts and hypertension). One character breaks open some of these pills and snorts them. A main character is seen smoking cigarettes on more than one occasion.
Fan Reviews provided by
4
Get out of the cold and see this movie by bartab
Al Pacino and Christopher Walken worked well together.Yes,some of the jokes were on the corny side (use of Viagra) but with these fine actors you go with it. This was an entertaining comedy with a lot of heart.At times it reminded me of the movie Scarecrow with Al Pacino and Gene Hackman (1973)You old timers might remember that movie.Stand Up Guys ended the only way possible.No more from me there.See this movie and enjoy.
4
pretty good by casey.gilmartin04
I enjoyed this movie and the characters. had a good story, and decent action, and even a little comedy. The critics must of seen a different movie. Sure it wasn't great, but it was worth it.
5
You can either have some gum or go see this movie. And you are all out of gum. by annies_way
Pacino & Walken - how can you NOT see this? I would watch these guys freakin' fold laundry and enjoy it. What a great duet - these two had a blast making the film, and we get to watch. If you didn't enjoy it, you were missing the subtle beats that made it so dang good.
A huge thank you to the screenwriter for not dumbing it down.
4
A Genuinely Good Film, Well Written, Very Well Executed. by Alon Patterson
With a cast like this, does anyone really expect a bad flick? Critics maybe, but what do they know? When I pay to see a film, it's because I want to be entertained and leave my worries at the door. In other words, I want to be pleasantly distracted and that's just exactly what this film delivers. There are no super heroes, or fancy special effects, or even big budget stunts, sans one great car chase. What this movie has instead, first and foremost is a lot of heart. It also has epic A-list talent and a good story, an even better screenplay and just the right technical talent (direction and photography) to produce just what it is: An A-list movie. While this film's not getting a lot of buzz and the naysayers are complaining about the age of the cast etc. Guess what ladies and gents? If you live long enough, you're going to get old too and know what? You can only hope to be as good in old age as the like of Stallone or Pacino. As for this movie, see it. You won't be disappointed.
5
the best movie this year by FAZOL
Al Pacino and Christopher Walken ,either few minutes of Alan Arkin was great they are THE ACTORS , Pacino reminds me great Jean Gabin !!! Not Hollywood money maker movie, but excellent piece !!!!!
4
Stand Up Guys by kevburnz
Really enjoyed the movie. It was nice to go to a movie that wasn't high tech special effect overkill. There was actually a story to this movie that you understood almost immediately. Pacino and Walken have a chemistry that makes it believable and you find yourself liking their characters. The actress that played the waitress (Addison Timlin) seals the deal with her genuine likability and heartfelt smile.
Tremendous acting throughout (no Pacino over-acting)
Not sure why the critics are so harsh on this one because if you want to see a good movie without over theatrical over-hyped stunts, this is a definite see!
5
Great Cast/Great Fun by Moviegoing Grandma
Al Pacino, Christopher Walken and Alan Arkin are pitch perfect in their roles as washed-up bad guys on their last legs. The deadpan humor was hilarious with a touch of pathos for the situation they find themselves in. The ending (you have to see it) is perfect.
5
Funny by grammy_1950
It was a very funny movie and would love to see it again. All parts were played very well and the ending was not what I expected but still a great movie to see. I think the acting was top notched. The cinematograthy was at it's best. It is not for kids or even teens but a great movie for the well aged adults.
4
STAND UP GUYS by thedoctor777
This is a good movie for everyone; but a great film for us baby boomers. Pacino's and Walken's performance's are wonderful. The film has a great storyline consisting of love, caring and fond memories that we have as we grow older. I found that the friendship aspect of the film being so true to our real lives. For all of us baby boomers the soundtrack is fantastic. I think the 35 and under crowd will enjoy this film as well; but they might not truly appreciate the loyalty and friendship of it to the fullest. I enjoyed this film and I hope that you give it a look too. It's worth your time and money.
4
Destined to be a classic... by moviefanPA
This movie has the same feel as a Quentin Tarantino film. When you put Pacino and Walken together on screen the result in this movie is magic. Alan Arken's arrival is when the movie peaks -- and the story is not the star, but rather the stars in this movie shine. Pacino was awesome. Walken was spooky odd and strange as usual. The moral of this movie is don't take more than 1 viagra :-) Will definitely buy the BluRay too. Go.