Hell or High Water-2016

Director David Mackenzie

Starring Chris Pine

Scott’s Review #609

Reviewed January 16, 2017

Grade: B+

Hell or High Water (2016), a splendid tale of bank robbers chased by law enforcement officers in rural western Texas, is reminiscent of the Coen Brothers’ No Country for Old Men (2007) or a classic Sam Peckinpah film from the 1970s.

The film tells a strong story with a morality tale, so the viewer is unsure who to root for—the good guys or the bad guys. This gives the film substance compared to the typical action-guy film, which is done to death.

Odd, quirky minor characters are interspersed throughout the film, adding comedy and a unique feel.

David Mackenzie directed the film, but I didn’t know that until now.

Chris Pine and Ben Foster play Toby and Tanner, two brothers who embark on small-town bank robberies to save their recently deceased mother’s ranch.

Tanner (Foster) is the more seasoned criminal, having spent time in jail and being more volatile than his brother. Toby (Pine) is a family man with two kids and is more intelligent and sensible than his brother.

Two Texas Rangers, Marcus Hamilton (Bridges), a grizzled man weeks away from retirement, and his partner, Alberto Parker (Gil Birmingham), pursue them.

What I enjoyed most about this film is the authenticity of the setting.

The film was shot in New Mexico but meant to be in West Texas. This is believable, and the cinematography is gorgeous. The vastness of the land and the sticky desert heat are captured beautifully.

Small-town Texas is portrayed as tiny, with characters introduced as townspeople, which lends the film a lot of credibility.

My favorites are the diner waitress, smitten with the handsome Toby (and her $200 tip), and the T-bone waitress, grizzled and rude after forty-four years in the same place.

Their sassy, abrasive behavior works and adds a lot to the film.

Dale Dickey is a treat in any film, and her turn as a bank employee is a joy.

How nice to see Chris Pine in a challenging role. His character is morally conflicted. Not wanting to hurt anyone, he struggles with the robberies and wants to do right by his kids and mother.

He is a decent man caught in uncertain circumstances, and Pine does an excellent job portraying him, proving he’s becoming more than just a pretty face.

Bridges plays anger quite well, and it is nice to see the actor succeeding career-wise in his golden years. His Texas Ranger character is determined to uphold the law.

Still, below the surface, he is more than a bit worried about his upcoming retirement, closing a chapter in his life that is undoubtedly important to him.

His relationship with his partner is jovial and buddy-like, but is there an underlying physical attraction between the men?

The film doesn’t go there, but it hints at it on a subconscious level.

A fantastic, tension-filled scene occurs near the film’s end when two of the main characters are killed. It is a standoff of sorts atop a desert mountain ridge. One of the characters loses it, which results in a shootout and a shocking loss of life.

The scene is excellent: a good, old-fashioned shoot ’em up done well.

Hell or High Water (2016) is a gritty action film with excellent elements, nice characterization, and clean fun. It’s a throwback to a long-time crime western without the standard stock characters.

This film is more layered than the traditional and intelligently written, achieving something unique.

Oscar Nominations: Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor-Jeff Bridges, Best Original Screenplay, Best Film Editing

Independent Spirit Award Nominations: 1 win-Best Supporting Male-Ben Foster (won), Best Screenplay, Best Editing