Hell or High Water Review
By Brian Smith

Last night I had the pleasure of seeing quite possibly the best movie of 2016. Hell or High Water directed by David Mackenzie (Starred Up) and written by Taylor Sheridan (Sicario) is a masterpiece. It tells the tale of Tanner and Toby Howard (Ben Foster and Chris Pine), two brothers who will risk it all to save the family farm. This 102 minute film also stars Jeff Bridges (True Grit) as Marcus Hamilton and Gil Birmingham (Twilight) as Alberto Parker.

Set in a contemporary West Texas, the writer and director have seamlessly crafted a remarkable story that nails the blight of big banks and small town America perfectly. The setting couldn’t have been more perfect and the characters feel believable as do their relationships. Bridges and Birmingham have fantastic chemistry as Texas Rangers with a complex working relationship where you feel the friendship between them with every interaction. But the real stars of the movie are Pine and Foster who have cemented their reputations as two of the best actors of their generation. I have reviewed four movies featuring Foster and this is the second time I have had the absolute joy of seeing Pine and Foster on screen together after the review of The Finest Hours.

I can honestly say that these two are fantastic together and I only hope they continue to work together. They genuinely seem to enjoy what they do and it shows through on the screen time and time again. The sheer power of their paring is staggering. David Mackenzie has done a great job of bringing out the best of all of the actors in this picture and Taylor Sheridan has the pulse of Texas firmly in his sights after Sicario and Hell or High Water. With two pictures in the works for him, he is definitely a rising star in Hollywood, and who would have thought after his start on Veronica Mars of all things.

This film is one that shouldn’t be missed and I cannot recommend a first or even second viewing enough. From the acting to the directing to, what you all know is my favorite thing to discuss, the pacing it is an epic no-holds-barred telling of a thoroughly engaging story.