Hollywood legend Robert Redford can be seen in his last major lead role in "A Rogue & Gentleman". It is a farewell made to measure.
Acting legend Robert Redford (83, "Beyond Africa"), who has been thrilling in front of the camera for almost six decades, had announced that he would give up his acting hat after "Ein Gauner & Gentleman" (2018). In 2019, he was surprisingly seen again on the big screen in "Avengers: Endgame". Will Redford really retire from acting? "A crook & gentleman" is his last major role so far. The crime comedy celebrates its TV premiere on July 7 (10:45 p.m., Das Erste). It is always worth turning on.
That's what "A crook & gentleman" is all about
Forrest Tucker (Robert Redford) always smiles when he thinks of bank robberies. He has been in business for decades and was only prevented from doing so when he was behind bars again – only to break out adventurously. The robbed don't remember if he had a gun. Instead, they prefer to talk about how polite and courteous the old crook was, so likeable in his suit with the hearing aid. And how he smiled. Raids are his elixir of youth.
In 1981, Tucker and his accomplices Teddy (Danny Glover) and Waller (Tom Waits) roamed the country and cleared one bank at a time. In total, the robbery of pensioners has over 90 raids spread across five states in just two years. After a coup, Tucker even gets to know the lovely horse lover Jewel (Sissy Spacek). Everything would be perfect if John Hunt (Casey Affleck) didn't stick to the heels of the "old gang" …
A tribute to Robert Redford
The story of the charming criminals who have successfully escaped from prison 18 times sounds more than extraordinary, but Forrest Tucker really did exist. He lived from 1920 to 2004 for robbing banks and died in prison at the age of 83.
Robert Redford could not have chosen a better film for his big farewell. The role of the mischievous crook in suit and hat with passion is made for him. The actor proves how little it takes to flatter the hearts of his audience. A smile here, a nice saying there and you would love to drive the getaway car of the senior citizens' gang.
Director David Lowery (39, "A Ghost Story") made the film with a sensitive atmosphere and tongue-in-cheek humor that evokes memories of New Hollywood cinema in the early 1970s. Exactly those years in which the audience once fell in love with Robert Redford.
The rest of the ensemble also pays homage to times gone by: Lowery brought two real warlords into his story with "Lethal Weapon" star Danny Glover (73) and cult singer Tom Waits (70). They are excellent as Redford's accomplices. In addition, Redford faces a strong woman with Sissy Spacek (70), even if the intimate togetherness is somewhat neglected in the plot.
Even the dutiful policeman John Hunt, played brilliantly by Academy Award winner Casey Affleck (44, "Manchester by the Sea"), cannot escape the charm of the senior gang. One feels alive only when he is chasing bank robbers and the other when he is robbing banks. Investigative work is given just as much time as raids so as not to transpose Tucker's actions. This creates additional excitement in the cat-and-mouse game, which culminates in a single common scene …
Conclusion
With "Ein Gauner & Gentleman" David Lowery has succeeded in creating a brilliant film between drama and comedy, which despite the ensemble, a sensitive atmosphere and a clever plot is carried out only by pensioner robber Robert Redford. A happy and worthy acting farewell for the Hollywood legend – with a lot of smiles.