Review of Hell or High Water (2016) by Artem T — 19 Apr 2017

Neo-western that every western fan should watch.

I rate this marvelous film as 5/5 for exceptional direction, acting and script. The movie is very good indeed in every cinematographic aspect.

Marcus Hamilton and Alberto Parker (Gil Birmingham) is on the hunt after bank robbers, who occurred to be two brothers: Tanner (Ben Foster) and Toby Howard (Chris Pine).

Tanner is a convict that was just recently released from prison for bank robbery. It turns out that he killed his father as a teen too. Tanner is a very impulsive man, who just likes the drive, adrenaline and fun that he receives by living a criminal life.

Toby on the other hand is a person that destroyed his own family, however he chose the path of redemption. He came up with a very wit plan that will allow him to guarantee a problem-free life for his kids and wife.

?I would say whole movie is based on the evolution of relationship between two pairs: 1) Marcus Hamilton and Alberto Parker 2) Toby and Tanner Howard. They argue, joke and respect each other.

Soundtrack is also marvelous. Original music is written by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis.

Some may say that movie lacks something original moves in script. I completely disagree with this. Even if you do not see any surprises behind each turn the movie is not predictable and it has quite a few things to say about modern world and human nature.

The film is absolutely worth watching if you enjoy solid westerns about ordinary lives and not some glamorous empty trash.