Hell or High Water (2016) Review!!

Synopsis – A divorced dad and his ex-con brother resort to a desperate scheme in order to save their family’s ranch in West Texas.

My Take – A good man does bad things for a good reason; a bad man does bad things for a good reason; a good man whose morals doesn’t allow for bad things to happen for any reason, don’t we all love films of this kind? Director David Mackenzie‘s latest film, feels like one of those films. Every once and a while a good crime drama that involves cops and bad guys who do robberies comes along and it entertains and thrills and you the viewer love seeing the chase and the blood that is shown and most of these type of pictures spill acts of heroism and vigilantism so well and with this independent entry, it pretty much covers all of what I just said. This is a simple meat-and-potatoes tale of bank heists and blood brothers, the sort of story that great directors from Kubrick and Altman to Arthur Penn and Tarantino have made their staple at one time or another. Like recent westerns such as The Rover, Slow West and True Grit, this film takes some interesting and unique approaches to this old genre.

The story follows two brothers – an ex-con Tanner Howard (Ben Foster) and a divorced dad Toby Howard (Chris Pine). Toby has meticulously planned out their bank robbery spree. Tanner’s goal is to save his family ranch from being foreclosed by the bank, so his boys and ex wife Debbie (Marin Ireland) can escape the “disease” of poverty. Tanner is along to support his brother and probably because he just enjoys the adrenaline rush. Soon enough, aging Texas Ranger Marcus Hamilton (Jeff Bridges) is on the trail of the boys, and his highly developed instincts and gut feelings annoy his mix breed partner Alberto (Gil Birmingham) almost as much as Marcus’ incessant and insensitive racial teases – a reminder of the days when buddies would verbally jab each other without the risk of class action lawsuits. One knows, amid the gunfire and violence, the cost of living in the fast lane is past due. There are no easy answers in this film. Where is the country financially and how do people get out of the hell they are in? How does a cattle farmer still have to deal with wildfires in the 21st century? The film is perfectly paced, as the narrative hits the nail & culminates in a crisp 101-minutes run time. The film begins with a punch & ends on the very same note. I was thoroughly engrossed by the story & how well it progressed. Working from a screenplay by Taylor Sheridan (scribe of last year’s popular Sicario), Mackenzie sets his film in the Texas midlands, the last frontier against “progress,” as the few scattered denizens would call the encroaching destruction of their old-fashioned way of life. This is a film born out of people’s hate for financial institutions. The great majority of us are in debt, fighting liens, repossessions, and looking on while the same companies that inundate us with statements get bailouts. Director David Mackenzie effectively captures the desperation of America’s poor with his stark images of a Texas wasteland. Large billboards about mortgages and loans dot the dry rural landscapes, nicely filmed by Giles Nuttgens. Mr. Mackenzie‘s film is a poetic mood piece with intricate plotting and a narrative structure that keeps one riveted to the characters and their actions. There’s some graffiti sprayed on the wall early in the film in a dusty town in West Texas that reads “3 Tours in Iraq; no bailout for me.” While I initially loved Sicario, there is very little personality in that film, not just in the characters but in the overall dialogue in the film. It all feels a little robotic and plot oriented, well this film is almost the complete opposite. This film is brimming with character, most specifically the Texans. There are so many great lines in this film, that don’t feel added in or punched up. You also get a better understanding of the characters from these little phrases and one liners. The story itself puts the film in action/adventure territory with more than a hint of crime drama, so one’s classification of the picture with the Western genre is probably more so by association with its West Texas and Oklahoma locations than the cowboy roots of the principals. The same could be said of “No Country for Old Men“, so there’s another likely comparison. There is a grim edge to the film, but it refuses to wallow in it. Instead, it is bleakly funny, fraught with little character foibles sure to get a chuckle or two out of any audience. Even in the tensest moments (and there are more than a few, be forewarned), there is a nevertheless a laid- back undercurrent. In large part, it’s due to how easy the three leads slip into their characters and convey decades’ worth of life and experience in their performances. It sounds odd in a gritty crime drama, but this is also a deeply funny film.

The relationship between the two rangers is fantastic and there are a few moments in the film so absurd and surreal that you can’t do anything but laugh at the characters trying to adapt to the situation. It’s also the sign of a brilliant script that laughter can be turned to shock and tears in the snap of a finger. Also, I have to say, the writing for the side characters, some of whom are only in the film for their respective scenes is even better. This is the first time I have ever cared about some random waitress who is only in the film for 90 seconds because their writing is masterful. West Texas is a character unto itself with massive poverty, oil pumps on the horizon, dusty streets, rickety fences, and gun-toting citizens everywhere. Each of these elements is beautifully captured by cinematographer Giles Nuttgens (Dom Hemingway), as are the actual bank robberies and the quiet moments between brothers and Rangers partners. The cinematography captures the desolateness and sadness of the area of West Texas that the film is set in. There are also many wide shots, which looked like they were filmed with drones which also added to the beauty of the filming. The music also adds to the western feel of this film. Yes, the plot is predictable, the set-up contrived, and the film is a tad too leisurely told from the outset. But the haunting images and true-to-life characters are heartfelt and linger long after the film ends thanks to a terrific script, and taut direction. It’s one of those films that’s so finely crafted that you don’t really notice its issues. The thing that makes this film as good as it is, is that it knows what it is and does not try to become something more than that. It is not a complicated film or one with a twist; you know where everyone stands at the end of the film and in a day and age when so much emphasis is put on sequel bating or cliffhanger endings, the film smartly avoids this. The performances are all excellent. Jeff Bridges has been nominated 6 times for an Academy Award (winning the Best Actor Oscar for Crazy Heart) and he just might be in line for his 7th nomination (and 2nd win) here. His Texas Ranger character is just one fascinating, wonderful character. Here he steals the show as the senior Texas ranger, who’s sly sense of humor with his Indian partner (a fabulous Gil Birmingham) & skill to put things together & get to the criminals, is delightful. Bridges gets his character spot-on & proves once again, that he’s among the greatest we’ve ever had. Chris Pine & Ben Foster are in top-form. Pine is a revelation, delivering a mature, restrained performance, while Foster, an actor whose potential isn’t new to know, continues to astonish, with his enviable talent for playing unpredictable, unlikable characters. Also, the on-screen chemistry between Pine & Foster, appears real & affecting. On the whole, ‘Hell or High Water’ is a terrific film that offers a solid story that is sharply written, expertly directed & very strongly acted. Must Watch!