Hell or High Water Film Review - The Gritty Western Makes a Welcome Return
'Hell or High Water' is a modern day Weston, a heist 'buddy' movie with a political backdrop, think of 'The Big Short' with a western theme. I was compelled to watch this when I realised the writer of SICARIO also wrote this.
A gritty drama about a divorced dad and his brother, who devise a plan to only rob 'West Midland Banks' in order to save their family's farm from repossession. The Texan area has been hit hard by recession, a failing farm industry, and oil drilling.
The sense of depression is immediately illustrated in the opening scene by some graffiti sprayed on a wall that reads "3 tours in Iraq - no bailout for me." Remember the banks were being bailed out worldwide. In every aspect the banks were the true villains. Just as a reminder, and every so often, the barren roadside billboards advertise debt management, refinancing and other related bank services.
The bank raids are the scenes with most suspense and drama, you can really feel the tension when they get into situations that especially Chris Pine's character feels most uncomfortable with, the money is laundered through the nearby Casino.
Even though there is a lot of violence, there is also comedy, an example is when the rangers go to a 'steakhouse diner' and are served by a waitress, who will only serve streak done only one way, this demonstrating how nothing ever changes and no-one really has a choice, not even what they eat or how its cooked or anything else. The food ordering process and the dialogue are really funny.
Ben Foster's character is always on the edge of crazy, there is tense scene at a petrol station when two young guys pull up and try to pick a fight, Chris Pine's character steps in, beats one of them senseless as he knows his brother would surely kill him if he didn't step in.
Chris Pine's character ultimately wants his estranged sons to escape (what he calls) the "disease" of poverty. Chris Pine's and Ben Foster's performances both shine, Ben gives the star performance and every bit as well as Jeff Bridges, who plays the world-weary officer on the point of compulsory retirement due to age. I feel Ben is the actor completely in his element (more of him in this kind of role please!).
Chris pine is a versatile actor not only able to play Captain Kirk (for which he's never likely to win an award for), but there's a good chance of 'best supporting actor' for his performance in this.
Highly recommended film.
9/10.
Read on IMDB
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2582782/reviews-70
A gritty drama about a divorced dad and his brother, who devise a plan to only rob 'West Midland Banks' in order to save their family's farm from repossession. The Texan area has been hit hard by recession, a failing farm industry, and oil drilling.
The sense of depression is immediately illustrated in the opening scene by some graffiti sprayed on a wall that reads "3 tours in Iraq - no bailout for me." Remember the banks were being bailed out worldwide. In every aspect the banks were the true villains. Just as a reminder, and every so often, the barren roadside billboards advertise debt management, refinancing and other related bank services.
The bank raids are the scenes with most suspense and drama, you can really feel the tension when they get into situations that especially Chris Pine's character feels most uncomfortable with, the money is laundered through the nearby Casino.
Even though there is a lot of violence, there is also comedy, an example is when the rangers go to a 'steakhouse diner' and are served by a waitress, who will only serve streak done only one way, this demonstrating how nothing ever changes and no-one really has a choice, not even what they eat or how its cooked or anything else. The food ordering process and the dialogue are really funny.
Ben Foster's character is always on the edge of crazy, there is tense scene at a petrol station when two young guys pull up and try to pick a fight, Chris Pine's character steps in, beats one of them senseless as he knows his brother would surely kill him if he didn't step in.
Chris Pine's character ultimately wants his estranged sons to escape (what he calls) the "disease" of poverty. Chris Pine's and Ben Foster's performances both shine, Ben gives the star performance and every bit as well as Jeff Bridges, who plays the world-weary officer on the point of compulsory retirement due to age. I feel Ben is the actor completely in his element (more of him in this kind of role please!).
Chris pine is a versatile actor not only able to play Captain Kirk (for which he's never likely to win an award for), but there's a good chance of 'best supporting actor' for his performance in this.
Highly recommended film.
9/10.
Read on IMDB
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2582782/reviews-70
Loved it!
ReplyDelete