Christoph Waltz Charms in a Breezy Gangster Comedy

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In this film, an elderly man, reminiscent of Christoph Waltz‘s charisma, plays a wild hitman who reluctantly mentors a reckless Gen Z psychopath. This unlikely duo argues incessantly as they journey together, with a seemingly hapless bystander tagging along.

The storyline, following traditional gangster themes, is relatively predictable without any unexpected twists. However, the film manages to avoid being dull due to an enthralling lead performance and strong ensemble dynamics that breathe life into the script. The characters, despite their imperfections, are endearing and you find yourself hoping they survive throughout the movie.

Age Is Just a Number

At a wild, energetic dance party, Danny Dolinski (Christoph Waltz), clearly under the influence of alcohol and drugs, dances exuberantly with his injured arm in a cast. Despite his advanced years, marked by white hair and a mustache, he seems out of sync among the young, scantily-clad female dancers. However, age doesn’t hold Danny back from enjoying himself; he brings the party spirit back to his apartment in London, where he continues his indulgent lifestyle.

Tomorrow marks Danny’s much-anticipated appointment with the doctor. His cast will be taken off, but he’s advised to proceed with caution due to reduced arm mobility and ongoing arthritis issues. Unfortunately, the doctor denies his request for additional painkillers, explaining they were solely for post-surgery use. Danny then contacts his employer, signaling his readiness to resume work.

Opal Akinjirin plays a crucial role in Belfast for Danny, but there’s a significant condition – he must take along a prodigious assassin as his trainee. Wihlborg (Cooper Hoffman) displays exceptional abilities yet has a distressing tendency to target innocent bystanders, which Danny, with his impeccable 30-year career, has never been associated with. To make matters worse, Danny picks up Anata (Lucy Liu), his confidante and madam of a brothel, before getting Wihlborg. She has some affairs to attend to on the Emerald Isle. Unbeknownst to them, this unusual threesome sets off in Danny’s Jaguar for a journey that will bring about unexpected challenges.

Different Generations of (Hit) Men

The elderly man elicits a mild laugh from the interaction between Danny and Wihlborg., who abstains from alcohol, cigarettes, and illicit substances. He adorns his nails and sports a pink knit beanie and a vibrant, multi-colored hipster jacket reminiscent of a folk musician performing at a fashionable coffeehouse. The expression on Danny’s face upon seeing Wihlborg for the first time might justify the cost of admission alone. It’s worth noting that Wihlborg isn’t thrilled about having this aging, supposedly uncivilized companion either. He believes himself to be self-reliant and doesn’t require an elderly babysitter with arthritis.

The arrival in Belfast triggers Danny’s deepest apprehension. Is Wihlborg potentially taking over his position? Why is this supposedly unbeatable assassin, boasting about himself as the greatest of all time, being retired after years of impressive work without causing unnecessary harm in a lethal line of work? Wihlborg, who sees killing as an art, finds Danny’s unsolicited guidance and criticism of his brutal techniques unwelcome. Anyone standing in his way is seen as disposable. Danny, with a past littered with questionable actions, has his boundaries and justifies his killings by claiming they are only directed at bad individuals. Their contrasting approaches start to create a chasm in the initial act, influencing the job’s outcome negatively. This is troubling news, as both men are unknowingly being manipulated in a larger scheme.

Moderate Laughs, Lackluster Action

It’s clear that Liu’s character plays a crucial role in making the story feel relatable, rather than being just decorative or a damsel in distress. She’s a weary soul who’s had enough of crime, and her visit to Belfast reveals layers of complexity in her character that others lack. Liu laments about hit men not getting the job done as they should, and she’s constantly confronted with human flaws. She yearns for a simple life filled with happiness, but it seems this subplot might lead to predictable outcomes.

In contrast to his past high-octane action films like Con Air, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, and The Expendables 2, Director Simon West’s latest project, Old Guy, is surprisingly subdued, both in terms of scale and content. Unlike his usual blockbuster fare, this film has a smaller budget, focuses more on comedy and relationships, and disappointingly lacks the intense action scenes that one would expect from such an accomplished director. While there are gunfights throughout, they don’t stand out as they typically do, instead coming across as secondary elements. This is particularly noticeable in the underwhelming finale, which feels anticlimactic for a filmmaker renowned for delivering larger-than-life spectacles.

It’s not helpful that Danny’s quick-to-fire but healing trigger finger doesn’t seem to match the slow-paced storyline. Luckily, Waltz’s commanding presence on screen makes him convincing as an old-school tough guy despite the lack of initial action scenes. He’s charming, entertaining to watch, and provides a strong connection between Danny, Anata, and Wihlborg. This makes it worth recommending for casual, straightforward enjoyment. “Old Guy” is a film by Dark Castle Entertainment, Highland Film Group, and 23ten Productions Ltd., set for theatrical release on February 21st through The Avenue.

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2025-02-21 06:32