Monday, January 23, 2017

Hell or High Water

HELL OR HIGH WATER (2016) is a robust character-driven film described by Wikipedia as an "American Western heist-crime." And to these enviable ingredients, it should be added "funny," especially the ribbing banter between Tanner Howard (Ben Foster), an ex-con, and his younger brother Toby (Chris Pine).

Tanner: "This is Mr. Pibb. I asked for a Dr. Pepper."
Toby: "So?"
Tanner: "Only assholes drink Mr. Pibb."
Toby: "Drink up."

The boys have taken to robbing banks in west Texas to pay off a debt on the family ranch which is on the brink of foreclosure by the Texas Midlands Bank. Texas Ranger Marcus Hamilton (Jeff Bridges) along with his partner Alberto Parker (Gil Birmingham) are tracking the Howard's. Marcus is near retirement and is thankful for the last-minute reprieve from the rocking chair as he stakes out a bank he suspects the brothers will hit next.

The final showdown is action-packed perfection, but the real joy is the sharp dialogue written by Taylor Sheridan, accompanied with dynamic music from Nick Cave and Warren Ellis who also collaborated on THE PROPOSITION (2005).
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11 comments:

  1. mybillcriderJanuary 23, 2017 at 9:11 PM

    Good movie. The DP comment made me wonder if someone had read Sherrif Rhodes.

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  2. David CranmerJanuary 23, 2017 at 9:12 PM

    Yes! I think they did, Bill.

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  3. Prashant C. TrikannadJanuary 24, 2017 at 5:18 AM

    I like such movies, so I will be watching it. And then there's Jeff Bridges.

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  4. David CranmerJanuary 24, 2017 at 6:29 AM

    Jeff turns in a decidedly un-Jeff performance which I enjoyed. A real fine movie, Prashant.

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  5. Scott D. ParkerJanuary 24, 2017 at 8:16 AM

    Loved the DP comment. The sentiment is true. I half wondered if they were going to comment on DP with sugar vs. corn syrup. BTW, there is only one true DP.

    The old waitress scene--"What don't you want?"--had me and my wife laughing out loud. We know folks like that.

    Really enjoyable film. But, oddly, not filmed in Texas. WTH?

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  6. David CranmerJanuary 24, 2017 at 8:29 AM

    Scott, I laughed at the old waitress scene too though I have never been served by that particular personality—I can only imagine. Admit I have drank Mr. P in a pinch but prefer D.P. Must have been cheaper to film in Eastern New Mexico.

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  7. Charles GramlichJanuary 24, 2017 at 10:49 AM

    Definitely looks good. seems like we're living in a bit of a golden age for smaller movies and good TV

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  8. David CranmerJanuary 24, 2017 at 11:53 AM

    I would agree, Charles. Last few years have seen some remarkable films especially on the small screen.

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  9. Oscar CaseJanuary 24, 2017 at 12:39 PM

    I'll have to watch it!

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  10. David CranmerJanuary 24, 2017 at 12:41 PM

    It's a good one, Oscar.

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  11. Elgin BleeckerJanuary 25, 2017 at 6:21 PM

    This was my favorite film of 2016. Good story, good acting. Glad to see that Oscar remembered it.

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