Hell or High Water is a modern day western that also serves as a commentary on our economic times and the fleecing of the middle and working class by the one-percenters. It stars Chris Pine and Ben Foster as brothers Toby and Tanner Howard. The duo are left with little to lose when they learn that the bank is going to foreclose on their family ranch as a result of some predatory lending practices that will leave their family with nothing. Toby (Pine), in particular, is taking the news rather hard as he feels he will have two sons with no legacy. His brother Tanner (Foster) is all too willing to do what is necessary to secure their collective family’s future.
The film, that will easily make our top five of 2016, is out now on DVD and Blu-Ray and is a perfect opportunity to catch one of the best films of this year if you missed it during its theatrical release back in August. And believe you-me, if you have seen it, we know you will want to see it again — especially with the bonus features that take us behind-the-scenes of the making of a modern American classic.
When the Howard brothers rob banks across their home state of Texas, they do so in a manner that is not greedy. They never take the safe. They go in, rob what’s in the teller’s drawers and get the heck out of dodge. The boys are so quick, they are hard to catch. But, Texas Ranger Marcus Hamilton (Jeff Bridges) is on his way out the door for retirement and is handed this case as a parting gift to get the “old man” away from his desk and into the field for one final enlightening enforcement of the law. He is joined by a Native American lawman, Alberto Parker (Gil Birmingham), and let’s just say that Hamilton’s old school ways clash with the new world ways of Parker. Yet, somehow their desire to catch these robbers that no one has even seen, bonds them in a way that is surprisingly touching.
Hell or High Water is one timely movie as well. With a billionaire taking the White House and headlines noting that he is filling his highest positions with fellow billionaires who have made their fortunes off the backs of hard working Americans, director David Mackenzie has a story (from screenwriter Taylor Sheridan) that easily has audiences pulling for the Howard brothers, while simultaneously cheering the lawmen on their tail. It’s a fascinating pot boiler of a tale.
The bonus features are highlighted with three featurettes that take us through varied aspects of the making of the Robin Hood-ish story. Our favorite of the group is Enemies Forever. It delves deep into the characters of the film and how complex these figures are. These could have been two-dimensional souls to fit the story and make a point about wealth and greed in modern America, but Sheridan’s script presents us with fully featured souls that live and breathe pain, suffering, love and hope that all combine into one emotional stirring conclusion. Sheridan’s commentary through out this bonus feature adds insight that is priceless.
Visualizing the Heart of America takes us through the various Texas locales which served as the settings for our yarn. The topography and how it is captured by the cinematographer Giles Nuttgens is rich and embodies the baron wasteland of The Lone Star State, which in turn mirror the dying sense of future so many experience in America’s Heartland.
The final featurette, Damaged Heroes, puts the spotlight firmly on the cast and illustrates why Foster, Pine and Bridges, in particular, give the performances of their career. All three are beyond excellent and it is a marvel to witness each of them. If there is one that shines above the others it is Pine. The Star Trek Beyond star gives us elements of his talent that we’ve never seen before and with Damaged Heroes, filmmakers present a brief insight into how he, and his co-stars, brought the best of their actor’s toolbox to the remote Texas landscape.
Film Grade: A
Bonus Features: B+