Hell or High Water

By: Gavin Seetaram

Hell or High Water is a modern take on the familiar Westerns we have always cherished. With stars Chris Pine, Ben Foster and Jeff Bridges taking on the lead roles, they help to weave an incredible tale that is both familiar yet uncertain. Writer Taylor Sheridan (Sicario) does an incredible job of leaving viewers on the edge of their seat while providing a worthwhile watch.

Tanner Howard (Ben Foster) returns home after a stint in jail. As kids, he and older brother Tyler (Chris Pine) were abused by their father, leading Tanner to take the life of his dastard of a dad. After the passing of their mother, the boys find themselves in a bind with the bank as they are unable to pay the mortgage. Hoping to keep the house they grew up in to pass down to Tyler’s family, the Howard brothers decide to rob the Midwest Trust bank locations in town – the very institution seeking to take their land.

The banks that are robbed don’t have great security and are small locations in their county. The brothers even devise the idea to launder their new found fortunes through a casino, taking part of their winnings in cash and the other in checks. The cash would then be used to purchase new getaway cars. In an even greater stroke of genius, the vehicles that are used in the robberies are then buried on Howard land for safe hiding. The rest of the newly clean funds go towards helping to pay off the reverse mortgage.

Seeking to bring the Howard brothers to justice is Texas Ranger Marcus Hamilton (Jeff Bridges). The FBI refuses to lend a hand as the Howards are robbing small banks in Texas. So, Hamilton (who is close to retiring) is tasked with teaming up with his Camanche Indian/Mexican deputy Alberto Parker (Gil Birmingham) in order to take the bank robbing brothers.

The film does an amazing job of foreshadowing the events as they play out while still leaving you in wonder. Even when Tanner ducks out of a diner to rob a bank on his own, there is never a moment where you are sure how things will play out. Additionally, the acting by Pine, Foster and Bridges is simply top notch. Director David Mackenzie brings out the best in his actors as they deliver stellar performances.

If you’re looking for a fabulous film that keeps your heart racing from start to finish then put on Hell or High Water. Whether it is the directing, acting or plot, this is a movie that is an all around A+.