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| Hell or High Water - Great, from story to writing, acting, directing, and cinematography. |
Written by: Taylor Sheridan
Directed by: David Mackenzie
Starring: Dale Dickey, Ben Foster, Chris Pine, Jeff Bridges
Rated: R
My rating is simple, Watch It, It Depends, Skip it. Read my previous movie reviews!
Plot
To save the family ranch in Texas, an ex-con and his divorced brother resort to robbing banks.
Verdict
This is a smart heist movie, that's about more than the crime. It's two brother sticking it to the man and a father trying to do better for his kids. The banks cheated them, and this is their revenge.
A razor sharp script is the backbone for this movie, that manages to even make scenes that are mostly dialog engrossing.
Watch it.
Review
This is written by Taylor Sheridan who played Deputy Chief David Hale for three years on Sons of Anarchy (2008-2014) before writing Sicario (2015) directed by Denis Villenueve (read my review).
This opens with Toby (Chris Pine) and Tanner (Ben Foster) on a bank robbing spree. While they seem like two country boys, their plan seems thought out, they're robbing only local banks and stealing just small bills which doesn't warrant FBI intervention. They even bury their getaway car.
Their plan is revealed just a little at a time. They are on the verge of losing the family ranch and have hatched a plan to pay off the loan to the bank that has a distinct irony to it. To say more robs you of that plot unfolding.
Sheridan really nails the screenplay. It's well paced, building the brothers as opposite, Tanner the loose cannon and Toby the planner.
This isn't a crazy heist movie with Oceans 11 shenanigans, but it's completely solid, building the undertone of big business against the working man. We see that in sweeping establishing shots and the plot touches upon it. Toby was an oil driller that did well until the oil companies left the area, leaving a desolate and gentrifying landscape. Tanner can't get work because he's a felon. This feels like a fully functioning world, teeming with stories that we not only don't see, but aren't even mentioned. Toby and Tanner were screwed by the banks and decide to get even. Their plan is ingenious, provided they can pull it off.
It's a confidant script that excels and entertains even when two characters are just in a diner talking. Even the side characters develop a lot of depth in just a couple of minutes. This has great characters.
Jeff Bridges turn as an acerbic sheriff is the only thing that felt a little off. I know his insults to his partner are supposed to convey their friendship without him having to say it, but you really begin to wonder if he's just an old racist cop. Just a wink or a nod could have gone a long way. The chemistry just wasn't there like between Pine and Foster.
Foster always shines in supporting roles, and this is no different. All of the leads are great, but I was surprised at how old Foster, Pine, and Bridges look in this. I don't know if that says more about my age or theirs.
The country music sound track adds to the mood while feeling completely appropriate, adding a touch of fun. I'd watch this movie again for the soundtrack alone.
Like Toby says, being poor is a disease, passed down through the generations. He had it, his parents had it, but he wasn't going to pass it on to his kids. Toby robbed banks for his kids, Tanner did it because he likes it, he enjoys a life of crime.
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