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Blog by Don Kennedy

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Stand Up Guys

Stand Up Guys are usually underworld criminals who take the fall for a crime and keep their mouths shut so no one else involved ends up in jail. Here however you might be forgiven for thinking that Al Pacino and Christopher Walken are stand up guys doing comedy and not illegal activities especially since they appear to be doing spot on impressions of Al Pacino and Christopher Walken respectively. This is no complaint as it is such a joy to see these icons doing so well what they do best (which has not always been the case lately for Pacino). You’d think after 28 years up the river without ratting anyone out that Valentino a.k.a Val (Pacino) would return to the mean streets a hero. However it turns out crime boss “Claphands” (Mark Margolis) has an open contract on him for the day he’s sprung and has given it to Doc (Walken) who just happens to be Val's only friend in the world. Val’s street smarts tell him the score but he doesn’t count on Docs total reluctance to doing the job. Val actually ends up holding Doc hand about doing the hit during one last night of geriatric hijinks that include robbing a drugstore for diabetes meds, blood pressure meds.. oh yeah and Viagra. This facilitates a trip to a long standing (so to speak) brothel now managed by Wendy (Lucy Punch) the daughter of their favourite madam in another lifetime. They also boost a muscle car and spring their former wheel man Hirsch (Alan Arkin) from his extended care home. After outrunning a multi vehicle police chase this geriatric trio not only save a damsel in distress (Vanessa Ferlito) but then proceeds to restore her honour. Oh yeah, Julianna Margulies also gets top billing in this film but it’s almost like she squeezes her role as Hirsch’s daughter Nina between takes  of The Good Wife. Then again what actor wouldn’t just to share the screen with these legends?

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