Review of Hell or High Water (2016) by Zoltan T — 10 Feb 2018

A modern American bank heist film following two brothers who are robbing a specifc Texan bank's branches with Texas Rangers in hot pursuit.

I admire the director's reluctance to focus on car chases and shoot-outs, which must have been enticing in a heist film. Instead of the obvious he allows the actors to create their own tension by delving slowly deeper and deeper into the pressing question: Why on earth are they risking so much to rob this bank of small bills? Small, seemingly insignificant moments become monumental decisions. A brunch at a diner becomes a fork in the road when one of the brothers notices a branch of their despised bank across the road. Will they or won't they try to rob it in broad daylight?

The soundtrack, mostly country/rock ballads and guitar gems adds considerably to the experience. If you like this one check out Terrance Mallick's "Badlands".