Hell or High Water is directed by David Mackenzie and stars Chris Pine, Ben Foster, Jeff Bridges, and Gil Birmingham. It tells the story of two brothers, Toby (Pine) and Tanner (Foster) Howard, who set out on a series of bank robberies in order to raise the money they need to save their family ranch. Meanwhile, two Texas Rangers, Marcus Hamilton (Bridges) and Alberto Parker (Birmingham), are tasked with tracking them down.
Hell or High Water is not really a western as it takes place in modern times but it does have a western setting (Texas) and contains themes common to the western genre. There is much talk in the film about the corruption of civilization and the eroding presence of salt-of-the earth farmers and the like. Tanner fancies himself a spiritual descendant of the American Indians, the lords of the plains as he calls them. Hamilton, on the other hand, is a classic washed up lawman, a soon-to-retire Texas Ranger who knows that he'll miss the thrill of the chase. But the film never romanticizes these characters or their ideas. Rather it shows how rugged individualism and the love of danger can lead to violence and death.
Mackenzie's direction is very restrained, using long takes and tracking shots more often than not. The film is deliberately paced though, at the same time, economical in it's run time. All the main players put in solid performances, especially Bridges and Foster. The chemistry between Pine and Foster, and between Bridges and Birmingham, is excellent. The score, by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis, perfectly captures the uneasy and melancholy tone of the film. It's a well made film in pretty much every respect.
Given it's fairly laid back, slow-burn approach, some might find Hell or High Water to be underwhelming. But in a world filled with mega-blockbusters and quirky, look-how-artsy-I-am indie films, there's something to be said for a movie that relies on good old-fashioned, minimalist direction, straightforward, economical storytelling and great acting.
Score: 9/10
No comments:
Post a Comment