Director: David Mackenzie

Cast: Ben Foster, Chris Pine, Jeff Bridges, Gil Birmingham, Dale Dickey, William Sterchi and Katy Mixon

Rating: B+

The backdrop for Hell or High Water, a modern day cowboy movie, is the dry Texas plains that set the tone for a gritty, raw, witty, and clever film. This new age western tells the tale of two brothers who are outlaws staying one step ahead of the law as they go on a bank robbery spree. An engaging and extremely entertaining film, this is a high-speed ride with unexpected twists that will leave audiences surprised by the final outcome.

Toby (Chris Pine) enlists the help of his brother Tanner (Ben Foster) to carry out a well thought-out plan to rob local banks in an effort to raise enough money to save the family ranch from foreclosure. Turns out the land has oil on it and Toby figures out that once he gets the reverse mortgage and back taxes paid off he can put the property in a trust for his two sons and provide them with a life free of poverty. Tanner, a fearless and daring ex-convict with no scruples who just loves stirring up trouble, is more than eager to help Toby and get back at those who would try to steal property from his family.

The news about the string of robberies occurring in small town Texas catches the attention Texas Ranger Marcus (Jeff Bridges). Near retirement and dreading not having anything to do once he leaves his beloved profession, Marcus grabs hold of his deputy Alberto (Gil Birmingham) and off they go to crack the case and apprehend the criminals behind the robberies. Together they go from town to town enjoying free coffee, bad country cooking, and each other’s company. Marcus is an old goat stuck in his ways that takes pleasure in teasing his Mexican-Indian partner with sarcasm and outrageous racist jokes (that will making many cringe) as a way of actually showing just how much he actually cares for a man he would call his friend.

The story gives us a clear look into what can happen when those in power create a hostile environment that the little guy just can’t beat. The film takes a look at the damage a rigged system can cause and how desperate times often lead to desperate measures. The storyline of Hell or High Water skillfully brings to light issues we are now hearing in a presidential campaign through a provocative look at the effect of hard economic times.

Combining a great musical score with shots of the sun-scorched sweeping West Texas landscape, mixed with a colorful supporting cast spitting out some great dialogue while displaying the local culture and the offbeat logic some of the natives follow in day to day life, Hell or High Water is rich with flare and sass. This latest production by director David Mackenzie is surprisingly funny at just the right moments. With its dark humor and sarcasm, the quick-witted movie whips into action right from the first scene keeping audiences fully invested in the characters right up to the very end.

The little cast does a BIG job of bringing characters to life. Pine shows us that he has some acting chops outside of his role as Captain Kirk in the Star Trek series. He is stoic as the strong and deep-thinking Toby, a man trying to make right what is wrong and who speaks volumes with his silence. Playing Tanner, Foster makes being a fearless psychopath living for the thrill of pulling off the next heist highly enjoyable. Stealing the show is Bridges as the crusty old detective patiently stalking the Wild West bandits and waiting for just the right time to strike and take them down. Each actor brings emotional depth and complexity to the roles they are playing making them very believable and interesting.

Hell or High Water stays in high gear throughout, telling a complex story about brotherly love, a life of crime and vigilante justice. This new-fashioned western has plenty of car chases, gun slinging, and good guys vs. bad guys to give it just the right flavor for audiences to savor at the box office.

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