Going in Style 2017

Comedy

Crime

Box Office

$85M

Runtime

96 min

Language

English

Made by

Warner Bros.

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Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Going in Style (2017). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.

In the modest setting of their Queens apartment, three elderly friends - Joe, Al, and Willie - had settled into the routine of their daily lives, often taking solace in leisurely walks around the park bench. Joe frequently expressed his feelings of being trapped in a monotonous existence. However, everything changed one day when he suggested shaking up their mundane lives with a bold “stick-up.” Despite their lack of experience in criminal endeavors, Al and Willie gradually warmed to Joe’s adventurous proposal.

Without further ado, Al swiped three handguns from his nephew Pete’s collection, cleverly hiding them under his clothes. The trio, sporting amusing novelty glasses as disguises, ventured forth to carry out their heist, which ultimately yielded a staggering $35,000. However, the thrill proved too overwhelming for Willie, who tragically succumbed to a heart attack during the chaos. In a misguided attempt to honor their fallen friend, Joe and Al decided to generously gift $25,000 to Pete’s family, attributing it to Willie’s life insurance.

In a moment of insanity, they opted to indulge the remaining $10,000 on a lavish getaway to Las Vegas. As luck would have it, Joe and Al struck it big at the craps table, walking away with an impressive $70,000 in winnings. Yet, the escapade took its toll on Al, who passed away peacefully in his sleep just hours after attending Willie’s funeral.

Amidst the turbulence that ensued, Joe found himself cornered into confessing to the bank robbery, steadfastly choosing not to divulge the fate of the stolen money. His arrest occurred as he was en route to Al’s funeral, leaving him little space to ponder the weight of his predicaments.

In a twist of fate, Pete, seeking to protect his family’s legacy, paid a visit to Joe in prison and suggested returning part of the loot for a chance at a reduced sentence. However, Joe stood firm, grappling with his own impending mortality and the irreversible impact of his actions. With a heavy heart, he poignantly reminded Pete, >“Enjoy your inheritance before I return to my cell.”

Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of Going in Style (2017) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.

Daily Routine in Queens

Three elderly friends, Joe, Al, and Willie, lead a quiet life in their Queens apartment. They frequently spend their days walking around the park, reflecting on their mundane existence and seeking solace in each other's company.

Queens

Joe's Proposal

Joe expresses his feelings of monotony and suggests they shake things up with a daring bank robbery. Motivated by the thrill of adventure, Al and Willie begin to consider this dangerous yet exciting proposition.

Stealing the Guns

Al, eager to jump into the plan, steals three handguns from his nephew Pete’s collection. He cleverly hides them under his clothes, preparing for the audacious heist to come.

The Heist

The trio dawns amusing novelty glasses as disguises and ventures forth to carry out their heist. Their efforts surprisingly yield a staggering sum of $35,000, an unexpected windfall.

Willie's Tragic Death

Amid the chaos of the robbery, Willie succumbs to a heart attack, unable to handle the thrill and stress of the situation. This tragic event deeply affects both Joe and Al, marking a turning point in their lives.

Paying Tribute to Willie

In a misguided attempt to honor Willie, Joe and Al decide to gift $25,000 from their heist winnings to Willie's family, posing it as a life insurance payout. This decision reflects their grief and desire to remember their friend.

Las Vegas Getaway

The remaining $10,000 from their heist is spent on a lavish trip to Las Vegas, which they believe will lift their spirits after the recent tragedy. They indulge in the excitement and luxury of the glamorous destination.

Las Vegas

Winning Big

While in Las Vegas, Joe and Al enjoy a stroke of luck and hit it big at the craps table. They walk away with an impressive $70,000 in winnings, further complicating their feelings about their criminal actions.

Las Vegas

Al's Death

Tragically, just hours after attending Willie's funeral, Al passes away peacefully in his sleep. His death leaves Joe alone to deal with the fallout of their adventures and the burdens they've created.

Joe's Arrest

On his way to Al's funeral, Joe is cornered into confessing the bank robbery. Despite the pressures surrounding him, he chooses not to reveal the location of the stolen money, demonstrating his resolve.

Pete's Visit in Prison

In a twist of fate, Pete visits Joe in prison, hoping to protect his family's legacy. He suggests returning part of the stolen loot for a chance at a reduced sentence, highlighting the complexities of their situation.

Prison

Joe's Defiance

Joe stands firm against Pete's suggestion, grappling with his own mortality and the consequences of his actions. He delivers a poignant message, urging Pete to enjoy his inheritance before his impending return to prison.

Characters

Explore all characters from Going in Style (2017). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.

Joe

Joe is the instigator of the group's heist, feeling trapped in the monotony of his life. His adventurous spirit hides a deep vulnerability as he grapples with moral dilemmas and the ramifications of his actions, revealing a man searching for meaning in his twilight years.

🧓 Elderly 🕵️‍♂️ Adventurous

Al is Joe's loyal companion who reluctantly joins in on the heist. He represents the balance between hesitation and excitement, showcasing the conflict of wanting to escape the mundane while being grounded by reality. His fate serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life.

🧓 Elderly 🤷‍♂️ Loyal

Willie

Willie is the most reluctant to engage in the heist, highlighting the group's dynamics. His tragic demise illustrates the serious consequences that can arise from moments of impulsiveness, ultimately marking a pivotal moment in the narrative that affects the remaining friends deeply.

🧓 Elderly 😔 Tragic

Setting

Learn where and when Going in Style (2017) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.

Time period

The story doesn't specify a particular time period, but the setting hints at contemporary times with modern elements such as access to firearms, banks, and current societal issues faced by the elderly. The characters' interactions and the societal context reflect the challenges of aging in a fast-paced world.

Location

Queens, Las Vegas

The film primarily takes place in Queens, a bustling and diverse borough of New York City known for its vibrant neighborhoods and communal lifestyle. Las Vegas serves as a contrasting backdrop, renowned for its glittering casinos and nightlife, where Joe and Al hope to turn their fortunes around after their heist.

🏙️ City 🎲 Gambling

Themes

Discover the main themes in Going in Style (2017). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.

💸

Desperation

The theme of desperation is vividly portrayed as Joe, Al, and Willie seek to escape their mundane existence through criminal actions. This leads to intense moments of chaos and conflict, showcasing the lengths to which individuals will go when driven by a need for change or tangible excitement in their lives.

🤝

Friendship

Friendship serves as a cornerstone of the film, highlighting the bond between the three elderly men who support each other in their misguided adventures. The impact of their decisions, especially following loss, emphasizes the importance of camaraderie and loyalty even in tumultuous times.

⚖️

Consequences

The consequences of their actions weigh heavily on the characters, forcing them to grapple with morality and the law. Joe's eventual confession illustrates the emotional and legal ramifications of their heist, highlighting the complexities and unintended outcomes of their desperate bid for freedom.

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