In my non-cinematic life, I spend a lot of time driving through and doing business with folks from all parts of the glorious state of Texas. From the lush greenery of the hill country, to the dusty lands of El Paso, I’ve been immersed in Texan culture for the last ten years of my life. And while the hip Austin vibe makes me feel most at home, I’ve come to adore the quirky, cultural signature of The Lone Star State.
Hell or High Water is a beautiful reflection of that Texan flavor, and director David Mackenzie supports outstanding performances from his cast. The movie revolves around the story of two brothers, Toby (Chris Pine) & Tanner (Ben Foster). Due to the recent death of their mother, they are left shouldering the heavy debt of a failing cattle ranch on the brink of being seized by the local bank. The land has oil, and in order to save their inheritance, the brothers tour the small towns in west Texas, robbing banks along the way. Hot on their trails is Marcus Hamilton, a seasoned and intuitive detective, played by the indomitable Jeff Bridges, and shadowed by his trusty partner, Alberto (Gil Birmingham). Bridges is fantastic as usual, and I won’t be surprised to see some Oscar nominations from this modern-day western.
The stand out performance in my opinion is Ben Foster, who is pretty amazing in all he has ever done. Foster is known for his brilliant depictions of intense characters that ride the brink of madness. As Tanner, he plays the more reckless of the two brothers. With little to live for, other than his sibling, and having just been released from prison, he acts without a care for consequences. He lives in the moment and he relishes his life of lawlessness with abandon. He’s dangerous, quick to act, and confident in his skin. Truly, it’s a joy to see Foster in this role. I loved every moment of his screen time!
Pine’s Toby is the polar opposite of Tanner and carries much more depth. His character’s true nature is unveiled slowly throughout the film. It’s hard to describe Tanner without spoiling some of the best moments or reveals in the story. As the divorced father of two boys with no potential income save the ranch and crime, he is desperate to free his offspring from the cycle of poverty. He won’t hesitate to act with lightning speed to protect his family. Pine’s explosive intensity as an actor is utilized conservatively, but effectively, and one particular gas station scene left me gasping in surprise.
Fabulous performances and sharp writing in tow, this movie is a poetic statement on the plague of poverty in small town America and an homage to male bonding. The brothers are not bad people at heart, they are, instead, desperate men fighting to hold on to their birth right. They love each other fiercely, unconditionally, and with the purity of two people who have survived a hard life together. We know their mother died slowly from a degenerative disease, creating a financial crisis that put their ranch in the hands of the predatory banks. We also learn that she was not loved by her sons, and are left to assume that she was a terrible parent. With the ranch falling apart, they are out of time, money, and opportunity to pay off the lien. They either choose crime or lose everything. One can’t help but cheer for them, as their situation is one that should not happen to people in this country, but unfortunately is an all too familiar story.
The film is shot with a deft and artistic hand. The cinematography allows for wonderful esthetics while still capturing the emptiness of towns disdained by modern society. Everything is dusty and outdated, and yet, every shot is a treat for the eyes. It’s good camera work and it punctuates the message of the human struggle to survive in an environment robbed of greenery and growth.
I’m glad Mackenzie has told this American tale so beautifully and effectively. It’s a story that needs to be told, as it opens up discussions about the state of our country, as even in one of the richest states in the union, people, even land-owners, live in pitiful circumstances with little choice to their fate. It’s a profound message, and one that shouldn’t be ignored. I thank the filmmakers who crafted this outstanding film and I can’t wait to see what they do next!
Thanks for reading,
Diva Del Mar
