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Good Guy Bank Robbers in Hell or High Water


          Hell or High Water isn’t really an exciting movie. It does have some energized and tense moments every so often, but there’s not really suspense to make them thrilling as you can often see where they’re going. And this is unusual for what is essentially a heist film. But what this movie has in place of that is tons of atmosphere.
          It’s not a movie you’ve likely heard of, which is a shame. The story is about two Texan brothers, Toby (Chris Pine), and Tanner (Ben Foster) who following their mothers’ death are forced to raise money by robbing banks to keep her ranch before the bank forecloses on it. Toby wants to do right by his ex-wife and sons by selling the oil-rich land, allowing them to live comfortably off it. As they embark on their crime spree from town to town, they’re pursued by a Texan Ranger (Jeff Bridges) and his partner Alberto (Gil Birmingham).
          For most of the film, the plot is very simple. We follow the two brothers robbing banks and acting off each other while also following the two rangers investigating them and bantering. We’ve seen this before and there’s not a whole lot new that’s done with it. But really it doesn’t need anything more complex. The interactions between the characters are enough to keep you interested, and between both pairs it’s not always easy to decide which outcome you’re more invested in. The brothers are committing crimes but for a just cause. While on the other hand they occasionally take it too far and you feel like the ranger, Hamilton deserves a little validation on this last assignment of his before retirement (yeah that cliché -he and his partner are both Danny Glover in this film). 
          The chemistry between the actors really works to this effect. Chris Pine and Ben Foster convey very well this relationship of brothers who are quite different but brought together over this mutual venture they believe in. Tanner is definitely the wild card of the two, an ex-con who’s much more enthusiastic in the aftermath of the robberies. He’s also more willing to go further than Toby, and Foster plays this erratic personality excellently. He’s not likeable, but you can understand he’s at least in some way trying to redeem himself and help his extended family who he definitely loves in spite of everything. Though Toby’s the more reluctant in their robbery spree, he’s tough when he needs to be. He’s responsible and cautious, even friendly in some scenes, but yet he’ll still beat up a punk who’s threatening his brother. There’s a great scene where he visits his ex-wife and very little dialogue is exchanged, but their body language says volumes. It really may be the first great performance I’ve seen from Pine. And both actors are tremendous in a number of silent moments where their characters are just looking off into the countryside from one of their getaway cars. Bridges’ character is pretty indistinguishable from most of his other recent roles: the gruff, rambling aged cowboy. But his scenes with Birmingham’s Alberto are enjoyable. Alberto’s Comanche and Hamilton makes a number of racist remarks at his expense throughout the movie, but because there’s a very good conceit that they’re old friends, it never comes off as offensive. Plus Alberto gets in a couple of his own wisecracks at Hamilton’s age and abilities. 
          The thing that makes this movie the most immersive though is its atmosphere and pacing. There are a number of moments that are just the characters taking in the scene. In fact in one moment, Hamilton even vocally remarks on the view. These quiet scenes of just a landscape at sunset or the characters in contemplation against a plains backdrop really make their world feel real. And the kinds of towns they pass along the way, the institutions and characters they meet are really vivid. You feel like you’re driving through west Texas with these guys and the musical accompaniment which often consists of light country or folk songs sets the mood of these noble-intentioned rebels. This isn’t the kind of music I’d ever listen to on my own, but it services the tone perfectly. There are other movies that do this well but for some reason I was particularly reminded of Easy Rider, maybe in how Pine and Foster kind of mirror Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper respectively.
          Though it isn’t an amazing movie, Hell or High Water is more than a pretty solid modern western. It successfully engrosses you in its environment, through interesting and deep characters, a rich atmosphere, and even some good moments of humour that compensate for the story’s predictability and banality. In short it’s a hidden gem worth seeking out.

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