Hell Or High Water (Cinema Review)

Starring: Ben Foster, Chris Pine, Jeff Bridges
Directed By: David Mackenzie
Running Time: 102 Minutes
UK Release Date: 9th September 2016
Certificate: 15

Quite often I like to watch and review films that I know nothing about and am always enthusiastic going into a film tabula rasa, without any hype or influence and unhindered by trailers. Most of the time the films I see are average but every now and then I see one which is utterly engrossing, thoroughly entertaining and worth shouting about.

Hell or High Water tells the story of divorced father Toby Howard (Chris Pine) and his ex-con brother Tanner (Ben Foster) who rob a series of banks in Texas in order to raise the funds needed to pay off their mother’s mortgage before the bank foreclose, and ultimately save the family farm. They are pursued by Ranger Marcus Hamilton (Jeff Bridges) and his partner Alberto Parker (Gil Birmingham), with Hamilton in particular wanting to solve this case as he is days away from retirement.

There is a great dynamic between these seemingly mismatched couples, who at heart share mutual bonds between each other and are well cast and have some excellent dialogue between them. But the brothers are only robbing from a certain bank chain and for a worthy cause, a modern Robin Hood if you will. We are presented throughout the film with images of ‘loans’ and ‘for sale’ billboards, which constantly reminds us that the story is set in a deprived area of Texas where people will go to extremes to survive.

Poverty is key theme of this movie as it is the catalyst for the brothers’ robberies but there are established parallels between the young and elderly, old and new, white and Cherokee; just as the white settlers took the Cherokee’s land, the banks are now taking it for themselves. But there is an overbearing theme of preparing for the future. Old and dying ways of life are also prominent is that the once prosperous oil industry is on the way out, just like cattle ranchers, bank robbers and old school Texas Rangers.

It is clear that Bridge’s character is too old for this shit but he never accepts it. There are some great humorous and heartfelt moments between him and his partner about how he will miss his racist banter and insults, and he doesn’t want to go without solving this case. However he knows that his time is short and even contemplates going out in a blaze of glory.

As the brothers continue robbing banks things obviously escalate, but do not mistake this for an action movie. It’s a modern western which also feels like an indie road movie, with excellent pacing leading to suspenseful moments as we experience a real sense of danger for the brothers and the Rangers with sides presented with equal worth. If you like Breaking Bad (2008-2013) or No Country for Old Men (2007) then you will enjoy this film. However, if you haven’t seen either then you will enjoy this film regardless and it’s a great antidote to a summer full of mostly ‘meh’ films.

It’s a solidly entertaining film with great cinematography which in a way glamorises suburban Texas and almost has the ‘holiday’ feel of old James Bond films as it transports you to an almost alien world. The soundtrack composed by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis fits perfectly with the scenery and mood of the movie.

All of the cast give great performances with believable chemistry between the leads who show emotion, but in a manly way. Foster shines and is more ruthless than Pine, who channels his best Josh Brolin Stare. Bridges is great and has fun with the role, but all of the other performances and background characters fit perfectly. They all have a witty and sharp script to work with that includes perfectly timed beats, backstories on the characters and environment and lots of humorous moments.

Basically this film ticks a lot of boxes and should be seen by as many people as possible. Will it be successful in awards season? I’m not sure due to its September release but it’s a great one off and I will be interested to see what scriptwriter Taylor Sheridan and director David Mackenzie have in store for us next.

Overall Verdict: An incredibly well-crafted film with a great script and great performances. A great alternative to this year summer of blockbuster fatigue, and everyone should see and is one of the best films of the year.

Reviewer: George Elcombe