The Old West has been a pillar of cinema since literally day
one. Over the past few years, the contemporary Western has seen some success,
from the Coens’ NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN (2009), and David Lowery’s AIN’T THEM
BODIES SAINTS (2013). By infusing the classical themes of the Old West in
modern settings, the stage can be set for some great storytelling, which brings
us to David Mackenzie’s HELL OR HIGH WATER.
In modern-day Texas, the Howard brothers (Toby and Tanner,
played by Chris Pine and Ben Foster) go on a string of bank robberies in small
sleepy towns. Hot on their trail is Texas Ranger Marcus Hamilton (Jeff Bridges)
and his partner Alberto (Gil Birmingham).
Like any good Western, HELL OR HIGH WATER is all about cops
and robbers as they chase, evade, and play cat-and-mouse across the
countryside. On the surface, the plot is fairly easy, but director David
Mackenzie, working from a script by Tyler Sheridan (of TV’s SONS OF ANARCHY),
gives the film a richness thanks to some excellent character work. Far from
just bad guys, the Howard brothers are looking to get revenge against the bank
which wiped out their family farm, and on the flip side, there’s the
grumpy-old-man Ranger Hamilton and his partner Alberto who constantly pick on
each other with insults about heritage and race (Alberto is part Mexican, part
American Indian). The two sets of duos are very well developed, and each one
has palpable reasons for their robbing and chasing. Taking things a step
further, the characters could not be more different from their partners; Toby
is cool and reserved while his brother Tanner is a loose cannon, Hamilton is
near retirement and does things unorthodox, while his partner Gil is
by-the-book. The contrast between characters is very well written and keeps
things moving.
Tyler Sheridan’s script plays out like a love letter to
small-town Texas, specifically the little people and their lifestyles. The film
does some great world-building in establishing the small towns with shuttered
up shops, closed down mills, and people who almost consider the brothers to be
a modern day Robin Hood. The film is rich
with culture and modern-day sensibilities, making it very relevant and powerful.
But back to the robbing and chasing…the robberies and
gunfights are brutal and realistic, and the tension-building heading towards
the climactic showdown is thicker than outback brush. Director David Mackenzie
films the countryside beautifully, and the film has a classic and iconic feel
to it. Nick Cave and Warren Ellis provides a magnificent score.
Jeff Bridges is a blast as Ranger Hamilton. He’s a grump,
but a lovable one, and also a career lawman burdened with the pending doom of boring retirement. He gets to show some serious emotion towards the end
after a character death which is as shocking as it is sad (bring tissues). Gil
Birmingham acts as a great foil to Bridges and the two are a joy to watch
on-screen together. The show is stolen by Chris Pine and Ben Foster, who are
convincing not only as men from Texas but as brothers. The love and respect
these two actors make happen between the brothers is the true heart of the
film, and it beats steadily and strongly.
The final showdown ends with plenty of blood and tears, but
before the film ends, it comes back with a quieter, yet equally effective
showdown before riding off into the sunset. David Mackenzie has crafted a
modern classic with HELL OR HIGH WATER. It is a beautiful and rich movie with
classical storytelling elements; almost the kind of tall-tale one would tell
around a campfire. It is emotional and powerful, making the Old West as real
and relevant as it was 100 years ago.
BOTTOM LINE: See it
Great review!
ReplyDeleteI agree all around!