"Hell or High Water" Review

Title: Hell or High Water

Directed by: David Mackenzie

Written by: Taylor Sheridan

Year: 2016


Much like Sing Street, Hell or High Water is an independent summer movie that has been raking in plenty of attention and praise. This movie has been sitting highly on great word-of-mouth, with many saying that it could be a potential Oscar contender. Is this film worth the flooding hype, or is its quality something you should not bank on?

Two brothers are robbing branches of the bank that is foreclosing their land. They manage to get the attention of two Texas rangers, who begin to investigate the bank robberies and chase down these two brothers, whose true motives are still unclear.

It is a bit difficult to point out the lead actor in this picture, but I believe Chris Pine to be the main star. Pine gives what is probably the best performance of his career, abandoning his usual charm and charisma for a more subdued and evocative role. Pine's grounded performance as one of the bank robbers is central to the plot, making the narrative all the more effective. Jeff Bridges does what he does best; he mumbles and insults others throughout the movie, but Bridges has made the personality his own. No one can make fun of you with a smile quite like he can. Bridges is the head Texas Ranger and he is so damn entertaining. The tough and macho behavior of the character brings out the best in the seasoned actor.

However, the best performance comes from Ben Foster, playing the other bank robber opposite Pine. Foster completely contradicts Pine's quiet acting with an energetic and volatile outing. His character is quite unhinged and Foster relishes every moment of it, overplaying the anxious and confident behaviors to marvelous effect. Not to be overlooked is Gil Birmingham as the partner to Bridge's ranger. Birmingham brings a realistic humanity to his role and works very well with Bridges, with both actors having wonderful and comedic exchanges.

The story is separated into two major plot threads; the two brothers robbing the banks and the two Texas rangers hunting them down. These storylines run parallel to one another and hardly ever intersect. The former might sound more thrilling and entertaining, but the robberies are not the point of the story. The focus is on the relationship between the brothers and why they are committing these crimes, which is much more intriguing. The same goes for the rangers. It is not so much about the investigation as it is about the characters and how they interact with each other. This is very different from the storytelling approach that most movies take nowadays. This technique works excellently and makes the narrative much more engaging.

One interesting thing to note about the film is its deliberately slow pace. The movie progresses slugishly, which actually works to its benefit. It is slow, but never boring, allowing the characters plenty of room to breathe. Though there are chase sequences and bank robberies peppered throughout its runtime, the movie never hits an exciting level until the climax in the third act. The drama is what propels the picture, not the action. However, the final act does carry loads of tension and a gripping action sequence.

The cinematography is worthy of mention, as there are a number of impressive visuals. The opening shot of the film is a well crafted long-take that covers just about every angle. The scenery is beautifully filmed, with many frames looking absolutely picturesque, especially the final shot. The colors seem to have been tinted to a slightly sepia tone to evoke the feel of a classic western, which works to bring the landscapes to life. Hell or High Water showcases its setting terrifically, with the Texas environment transcending the screen.

Also aiding in this endeavor are the musical selections. The soundtrack is comprised of country and western songs that enhance the backgrounds and emotional beats. Whether or not you are a fan of this music, it is hard to deny how fitting each song is for the picture. "Outlaw State of Mind" in particular is used perfectly in terms of its placement in relation to the cinematography and story.

Hell or High Water is a rare breed of film; one that trusts its audience to remain patient as the plot unfolds at a leisurely rate. With a bevy of fantastic performances, an engrossing story, inspired cinematography and musical selections, and an emotional endnote, this movie is a triumph. This film is humble in its approach, allowing the characters and drama to move the plot forward rather than the bank robberies and investigations. This modern-western-heist film is ambitiously quaint, and its quality only improves upon reflection.

Grade: A