Golden Years
Golden Years
| 29 April 2016 (USA)
Golden Years Trailers

Fate, the pensions crisis and a steadfast refusal to accept the injustice of old age have contrived to force law abiding, retired couple, Arthur and Martha Goode into a life of crime.

Reviews
Nonureva Really Surprised!
PlatinumRead Just so...so bad
Lollivan It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.
Frances Chung Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable
jb-94900 It seems inevitable that the careers of well known, well respected actors finish with them having to accept "end of the pier" scripts such as this. Another reviewer has already pointed out many of the huge plot holes in this movie. The actors just about kept me watching but really it was no better than the awfully scripted comic spots in TV shows such as Rogue Traders and Martin Lewis' Money show etc., which I can no longer bear to watch. These actors deserve much better written scripts worthy of their proven acting abilities.
Gordon-11 This film tells the story of an elderly man who accidentally stumble upon a case of cash from the security van outside a bank. He discovers that robbing a bank is easy, and goes robbing banks in order to save his social club from being sold to developers."Golden Years" is a lighthearted comedy, there is no question about that. It is hard to imagine two retired people robbing banks as easily as counting one two three! The heist scenes are more funny than exciting, and the police conclusions are simply funny. The authorities seem to be incompetent despite all the plan evidence, which is entertaining. There is suggestion of it possibly having a sequel, and I hope it will be as entertaining as this.
euroGary Nick Knowles is best known to me as a presenter of BBC television programmes that require him to stand around in a hard hat of the kind beloved by George Osborne. It turns out he's also a writer, and co-wrote the screenplay of this latest British entry into the comedy genre 'old people behaving badly'.Arthur and Martha (no, really) are facing financial trouble: no sooner does the price of Martha's medicine dramatically increase than they discover Arthur's former employers have gone bust, meaning he will no longer receive his occupational pension. Arthur, enraged (he's played by Bernard Hill, so working-class anger is really the only option) decides to go on the rob. Before long Martha has joined him and they embark on a spree of bank hold-ups (combining same with a touring holiday of National Trust stately homes). But when their local bowls club is threatened, it's going to take more money than just the two of them can steal to save it: time to call in their friends.This was not as laugh-out-loud funny as I thought it would be: there are some chuckly moments, but in the main it is the kind of comedy that raises a smile rather than a guffaw. Unfortunately, the script at times gets so preachy the viewer feels like he's being clubbed about the head: there is much talk of money-grabbing bankers and National Health Service 'postcode lotteries'. Careless writing (or editing) also causes some obvious errors: Alun Armstrong's police detective simply disappears toward the end of the film with no explanation; and unless I missed a vital bit of exposition the timings of the final heist do not work once the funeral has been taken into account.So the real joy of this is - as so often with British films - seeing on the big screen actors you are more used to watching on television. As well as the afore-mentioned Hill and Armstrong, there are also Una Stubbs, Simon Callow (trying a West Country accent he should be thoroughly ashamed of), Phil Davis, Sue Johnston, Ellen Thomas (currently in 'EastEnders') - and, in a rare appearance, Virginia McKenna. It also makes a nice change for a British film not to be set in London (this is set in Bristol). But as for the script? Don't hang up the hard hat yet, Knowlesy...
adamtheactor-97677 Golden Years is a well crafted treat that will more than likely strike a chord with the older generation. It's certainly not a laugh a minute film,but a careful mix of drama and old fashioned fun. A film that has a great cast from the past and present. It one of those little gems that come along in British film once in a while. Credit to the writing team for producing something fresh that is built on great story telling, rather than non-stop special effects and action.Brad Moore is a scene stealer,an absolute joy to watch. His character (DC Stringer)thinks of himself as a media sensation, determined to upstage the older detective investigating the bank robberies at every given chance. Bernard Hill is fantastic as always and plays his character for real.John Miller who has very little to show in regards to previous film credits, directs with a natural tone and energy. He certainly knows how to stage the tender moments, and the outright slapstick in a near perfect fashion.The result is a very enjoyable film indeed.