The Old Man (2022)

Watchseries; As Episode 1 of "The Old Man" (2022 release; 6 episodes of about 60-65 min each) opens, we are introduced to the old man, a guy named Dan Chase. For reasons unknown, one night someone breaks into his house in an apparent assassination attempt, but the old man instead shoots and kills the intruder. He packs some things , and hits the road, calling his daughter Emily claiming "they found me"... At this point we are less than 15 min into Episode 1.

Couple of comments: Episode 1 is directed by none other than Jon Watts, who directed the recent Spiderman blockbuster movies. As you may recall, Liam Neeson has turned his acting career upside down over the last decade or so, becoming a certified box office hit playing the older but stronger one-man army/gritty lone ranger in various hostage and crime dramas. Someone must've thought "hey, if Neeson can do that, why not Jeff Bridges?", and right they are! Bridges absolutely shines in Episode 1 as the grizzled and gritty veteran (we don't know quite fully understand his back story, other than he has lived off the grid for the last 30 years or so, and now has been exposed and on the run, literally fighting to survive). John Lithgow is a CIA operative called in to chase down the Bridges character. Episode 1 is chock full of action

"The Old Man" premiered on FX a few days ago, and then each just aired episode starts streaming on Hulu, where I caught Episode 1, and I will see Episode 2 shortly. The remaining 4 episodes will be released over the next 4 weeks. Can't wait for that. If you are in the mood for a top-notch good guys/bad guys entertaining crime drama starring great talent like Jeff Bridges and John Lithgow (just to name those), I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.

UPDATE I just saw EP 2 and it was better than EP1. It also introduces us to the Amy Brenneman character, and what a delight that is and she is. I am now totally "IN" on this mini-series.

As Episode 1 of "The Old Man" (2022 release; 6 episodes of about 60-65 min each) opens, we are introduced to the old man, a guy named Dan Chase. For reasons unknown, one night someone breaks into his house in an apparent assassination attempt, but the old man instead shoots and kills the intruder. He packs some things , and hits the road, calling his daughter Emily claiming "they found me"... At this point we are less than 15 min into Episode 1.

Couple of comments: Episode 1 is directed by none other than Jon Watts, who directed the recent Spiderman blockbuster movies. As you may recall, Liam Neeson has turned his acting career upside down over the last decade or so, becoming a certified box office hit playing the older but stronger one-man army/gritty lone ranger in various hostage and crime dramas. Someone must've thought "hey, if Neeson can do that, why not Jeff Bridges?", and right they are! Bridges absolutely shines in Episode 1 as the grizzled and gritty veteran (we don't know quite fully understand his back story, other than he has lived off the grid for the last 30 years or so, and now has been exposed and on the run, literally fighting to survive). John Lithgow is a CIA operative called in to chase down the Bridges character. Episode 1 is chock full of action

"The Old Man" premiered on FX a few days ago, and then each just aired episode starts streaming on Hulu, where I caught Episode 1, and I will see Episode 2 shortly. The remaining 4 episodes will be released over the next 4 weeks. Can't wait for that. If you are in the mood for a top-notch good guys/bad guys entertaining crime drama starring great talent like Jeff Bridges and John Lithgow (just to name those), I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.

UPDATE I just saw EP 2 and it was better than EP1. It also introduces us to the Amy Brenneman character, and what a delight that is and she is. I am now totally "IN" on this mini-series.

The Old Man watchseries. I hope the rest of this series lives up to the brilliance of the first episode! Jeff Bridges and John Lithgow haven't lost a step in their acting abilities. Can't wait for the rest of the season!

But done right. The exhaustion and pain in the fighting scenes are spot on. Anyone who has been in a real street brawl with life at stake knows how fake and nonsense most tv fight scenes are. Only a few shows have ever gotten it right. This is one of them. Another notable realistic tv fight scene was in Deadwood, Hearst's man vs Swearengen's man, the emotion, exhaustion, and desperation. A real drag down brawl is a slog, not a dance.

Anyway. Top rate actors, Bridges and Lithgow, and realism make a generic plot exceptional. Well done.

This is one of those rare slowly unfolding gems with high-quality actors. One of my new favorites plays a Young Jeff Bridges. The same guy who played a young Mickey Donovan.

The last time I saw a production this good, it was David Mamet's Spartan (2004, with Val Kilmer). I could have sworn Mamet must be involved here (he isn't), but the writers did an excellent job adapting a Thomas Perry stand alone novel which I have not read.

The actors, naturally, are superb. I'm sure glad Jeff Bridges is the most fit 70-something this side of Clint Eastwood, clothed appearances to the contrary. Lithgow, Brenneman, and some lesser know actors deliver great performaces as well.

Most surprising is the directing, which is excellent as well considering the past experience of the director was some CGI-laden Spiderman movies. This guy knows how to do his job very well! So well, you must turn the sound off on a repeat viewing if you want to truly notice it - the sure test of a solid movie (though the soundtrack here is very complimentary).

An absolute 10/10 from me. While familiar enough not to lose viewers, it is necessary to pay attention, especially when few words are spoken. There is some necessary exposition, and requisite action and violence, but this is so far removed from the normal "ex spy" tropes that it is rewarding for fans of the genre. If you like Amazon's Jack Ryan, this ain't it....

Now that was a first episode if there ever was one.

Terrific to see Bridges looking well and in such great form. Lithgow, as always, a treasure.

This is going to be fun!