Stand Up Guys

Stand Up Guys 2012

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Lionsgate

Lionsgate

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Plot Summary

Discover the intricate plot of Stand Up Guys (2012). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.


One fateful morning, Val emerges from prison and is picked up by his longtime friend, Doc, who takes him to his apartment. As Val is distracted, Doc considers ending his life with a gun but hesitates after Val expresses a desire for some excitement. To kick off their reunion, Doc takes Val to a local brothel and arranges for Val to spend time with a woman. However, Val soon returns, admitting he can’t go through with it. Seeking a solution, they break into a pharmacy where Val can get “boner pills,” and Doc grabs some prescription medications for himself.

Once Val is prepared, they head back to the brothel where he engages with the same prostitute again. In a tense moment, Doc contacts a mob boss who informs him that he must eliminate Val by 10 a.m. the following morning. Val has a moment of fun, dancing closely with a young woman at a nearby bar. In a haze of prescription drugs, he expresses gratitude to Doc for being a steadfast friend throughout his years behind bars.

However, Val’s condition worsens, and he passes out in Doc’s car. Contemplating his next move, Doc ultimately decides to take Val to a hospital, where a nurse happens to be the daughter of their old friend, Hirsch. The doctor then needs to perform a procedure to alleviate Val’s problematic erection. As midnight approaches, they find a diner where they strike up a conversation with waitress Alex. During their discussion, Doc reveals the overwhelming weight of his situation: he has been tasked with killing Val for a crime Val committed long ago, which has haunted them both since Val was imprisoned.

With only nine hours left until the hit, the two friends brainstorm possible strategies for survival. Their daring plan leads them to steal a muscle car and visit a nursing home to rescue Hirsch. Following a high-speed escapade with police in pursuit, they manage to evade capture. Reaching the brothel once more, Hirsch enjoys a lively evening with two women, both of whom leave satisfied.

The adventure takes a wild turn when they discover a tied-up woman in their trunk after hearing strange noises. After a quick clothes-theft from a store owner, they return to the restaurant, where Alex serves them again. The captive, named Sylvia, recounts her harrowing experience of being abducted and held against her will. Incensed, Val and Doc join her in seeking revenge against her captors.

The bold duo storms into a warehouse, confronting four thugs—catching them completely off-guard. After a violent show of force, they leave the remaining gangsters bound and call the police to collect them, allowing Sylvia to exact her own form of justice with a baseball bat. In a cruel twist, upon returning to the car, they find Hirsch has died of natural causes, leading them to a somber journey to the hospital. There, they receive help from Hirsch’s daughter to give him a proper burial.

Now racing against the clock with just four hours remaining before Val’s deadline, the trio grabs breakfast at the diner, where Alex serves them once more. It dawns on Val that he’s crossed paths with Doc’s granddaughter yet Doc has kept this from her. Stepping away under the mounting pressure, Doc pleads with the mob boss for Val’s life, but the boss threatens dire consequences for Alex if Doc fails to carry out the assassination.

Val, seeking solace, visits a local church for confession, listing both his sins and his rare moments of goodness from the past day. Following this, Val and Doc break into a haberdashery in search of suits, but the duo finds themselves in a deadly confrontation when mob goons arrive to kill them. In a last effort, they eliminate one and manage to intimidate the other into fleeing. The clock strikes ten, and with tension in the air, Doc ominously states, “It’s time.” Meanwhile, Alex discovers a shoebox filled with cash at Doc’s apartment, finally realizing the identity of her grandfather. With determination, Val and Doc set out toward the mob boss’s lair, ready to face whatever comes next.

Timeline

Track the key events of Stand Up Guys (2012) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.


Val's Release from Prison

Val emerges from prison on a fateful morning, greeted by his longtime friend, Doc. This marks the beginning of a tumultuous day that will test their friendship and force them to confront the weight of their pasts.

Morning

A Dark Moment for Doc

As they drive, Doc contemplates ending his own life with a gun, burdened by his thoughts. However, Val's desire for excitement sparks a change, leading Doc to reconsider his drastic decision.

Doc's car

A Trip to the Brothel

Doc takes Val to a local brothel to rekindle his spirit and excitement. However, Val quickly realizes he cannot go through with it and returns, feeling conflicted about the situation.

Brothel

Breaking into the Pharmacy

In search of a quick fix, Val and Doc break into a pharmacy to procure 'boner pills' and other prescription medications. This sets the stage for their next reckless endeavor.

Pharmacy

Tension with the Mob Boss

Doc receives a call from a mob boss, who gives him a grim ultimatum: he must eliminate Val by 10 a.m. the following morning. This dark revelation looms over their reunion and sets them on a frantic path.

Doc's phone

Fun at the Bar

Despite the heavy situation, Val finds joy in dancing closely with a young woman at a nearby bar. In this fleeting moment of happiness, he expresses gratitude to Doc for supporting him throughout the years.

Bar

Val's Health Declines

As the night progresses, Val's condition worsens. He passes out in Doc's car, leading Doc to make the decision to take him to a hospital for urgent care.

Car

The Hospital Encounter

At the hospital, they discover that the nurse is the daughter of their old friend, Hirsch. This unexpected reunion prompts Doc to reflect on their shared history and the choices they’ve made.

Hospital

Rescuing Hirsch

In a desperate bid for survival, Val and Doc decide to rescue their friend Hirsch from a nursing home. Their plan takes an unexpected turn as they steal a muscle car and evade the police.

Nursing home

A Disturbing Discovery

Upon returning to their car, they hear strange noises and find a woman tied up in the trunk. This shocking turn of events leads them to join her in seeking revenge against her captors.

Car

Confronting the Thugs

Val and Doc storm into a warehouse to confront the thugs holding Sylvia captive. A violent confrontation ensues, and they manage to subdue the gangsters, calling the police to intervene.

Warehouse

A Somber Loss

Tragedy strikes when they discover Hirsch has passed away from natural causes. This loss weighs heavily on them as they prepare for a proper burial with the help of Hirsch’s daughter.

Hospital

Breakfast Reflectons

With only four hours left to Val's deadline, they gather at a diner for breakfast. During this tense meal, Val realizes he has unknowingly met Doc's granddaughter, adding complexity to their situation.

Diner

Doc's Plea

In an effort to save Val, Doc pleads with the mob boss, who threatens dire consequences if he fails. The pressure mounts as time runs short, forcing Doc to make difficult decisions.

Mob Boss' location

Final Confrontation

As the clock strikes ten, Doc and Val prepare to confront the mob boss. With Val's life on the line, they embark on a dangerous path, ready to face the consequences of their actions.

10:00 AM Mob Boss's lair

Characters

Meet the characters that bring Stand Up Guys (2012) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.


Val (Al Pacino)

Val is a recently released convict yearning for excitement and redemption. His decisions throughout the night showcase his struggle between seeking thrills and confronting his past. Val is charming yet vulnerable, revealing a deep appreciation for his friendship with Doc as he grapples with the consequences of his choices.

👨‍⚖️ Ex-convict ❤️ Friendship 🔍 Redemption

Doc (Christopher Walken)

Doc is a conflicted friend burdened by the task of ending Val's life. He serves as both protector and executioner, indicating a deep loyalty to Val intertwined with the grim demands from the mob. Doc's internal struggle and eventual choices reflect the complexity of friendship and responsibility.

🔫 Conflict 👥 Loyalty 😔 Burden

Alex (Alan Arkin)

Alex is a waitress who represents a link to the past for Doc, providing both personal and emotional context. Her role deepens the narrative by illustrating the impact of Doc's choices on his family. Alex's growing awareness of her grandfather's hidden life adds layers to her character.

👩‍🍳 Waitress 🌟 Awareness 💬 Dialogue

Setting

Uncover the settings of Stand Up Guys (2012), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.


Time period

The events in the movie unfold over a limited time frame, specifically within a single night and the following day. This urgency heightens the tension as Val faces a life-or-death situation, navigating through past memories and moral dilemmas as he seeks redemption. The choices made in this short span impact not only Val's future but also that of his closest friends.

Location

Local brothel, Pharmacy, Diner, Nursing home, Warehouse, Church

The movie is set in various locations that amplify its themes of friendship and survival. The local brothel serves as a place of escapism for Val, while the pharmacy represents desperation and a quest for vitality. The diner acts as a personal space for crucial conversations and reflections, while the nursing home symbolizes the past and lost connections among friends. The warehouse is a battleground for revenge, and the church provides a moment of introspection for Val.

🏠 Brothel 💊 Pharmacy 🍽️ Diner 🏥 Nursing home 🏢 Warehouse ⛪ Church

Themes

Explore the core themes of Stand Up Guys (2012). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.


🕒

Time Pressure

The looming deadline of 10 a.m. creates an intense sense of urgency throughout the film. Val and Doc's journey becomes a race against time, prompting them to confront their past and make significant choices that could change their lives forever. This theme emphasizes the fragility of life and the consequences of one's actions.

🤝

Friendship

The bond between Val and Doc is central to the narrative, showcasing unwavering loyalty even in dire circumstances. Their friendship drives them to take risks and devise daring plans, while also revealing the emotional weight of their shared history. This theme highlights the importance of companionship in navigating the complexities of life.

🗡️

Revenge

The movie explores the theme of revenge through Val and Doc's quest to rescue Sylvia and confront her captors. This pursuit not only serves as a catalyst for action but also forces the characters to reckon with their past wrongdoings. The film illustrates how the desire for vengeance can complicate relationships and ethical boundaries.

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