Director David Mackenzie’s “Hell or High Water,” is a 2016 limited release movie starring Chris Pine, Ben Foster and Jeff Bridges. Pine and Foster play two brothers who need to raise $43,000 in order to keep the bank from foreclosing on their deceased mother’s ranch in west Texas. The brothers decide to rob different banks throughout west Texas to make the money needed to save the ranch. When the authorities catch wind of their plans, it’s up to a Texas Ranger (Bridges) to catch them. When I describe this movie, it sounds like a paint-by-number heist film, but it is so much more than that.
On the surface, this movie is fairly straightforward, but the brilliance is in its simplicity. The setting is boring and flat, yet fantastic acting, camera work and the score bring it to life. If you’re anything like me, the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about Chris Pine is the new Star Trek movies and him being a full fledged action star. Yet, in this movie he has a subtle and quieter role, and he absolutely shines. He has a realistic west Texas accent I never once doubted, and he achieves an emotional depth needed to carry a movie like this. Ben Foster as the other brother, however, is the furthest thing from quiet or subtle. He is obnoxious, short tempered, loud and brash, yet the nature of Foster’s character plays perfectly to the quieter Pine. The chemistry between these two is undeniable, and keeps the plot interesting through humorous and real dialogue. Finally, Jeff Bridges in this movie is exactly what you expect him to be: foul mouthed and slightly racist, yet the lawful good character that puts the horrible actions of the two brothers into perspective. Although, this character is necessary to the plot I do not think the role had to go to Bridges. The role could’ve been handled at the same level with nearly any actor.
The beauty of this film comes in the action, or lack thereof. This movie focuses more on the relationships, flaws and mistakes the characters make during the movie instead of gun fights and car chases. It makes the main focus of the movie the relationship between the brothers instead of the acts of violence they commit. By doing this, they make us actually care for the safety of the characters. Multiple times I found myself forgetting it was a heist movie and just enjoying the dynamics between the characters, which is high praise for a movie about robbing banks.
Overall, this movie shines at every chance it gets, from acting, directing, staging, sound design and even dialogue. The movie is completely believable and pulls you into the world and lives of these characters. I really loved this movie, and it is definitely one of my favorites from last year.
