Starting this week, we present a biweekly list inspired by a film screening or series taking place around town. In honor of Benny and Josh Safdie’s new heist film Good Time, screening this week at Music Box (in 35mm!), we’ve selected five additional heist films from 1955 to 2005 (that don’t have “Ocean” in the title and aren’t directed by Quentin Tarantino).
Going in StyleThe cast—George Burns, Art Carney, and Lee Strasberg playing three old men who rob a bank—promises a mug fest, but director Martin Brest imposes a quiet, attentive style on the story, saving it from cuteness and emotional facility. There are laughs, but the prevalent tone is one of discreet compassion, without condescension or sanctimony. Burns, in particular, is a revelation: deprived of his cigar and its attendant shtick, he creates a character of great toughness and determination, fighting against time and memory. The integrity of his performance overcomes the formlessness of the narration, turning this loose study into something solid and affecting. 97 min. —Dave Kehr
