In the wake of the 2008 global economic meltdown, two siblings go on a bank-robbing spree and are pursued by Jeff Bridges’ wily Texas Ranger.
Chris Pine and Ben Foster are Tobey and Tanner Howard, a divorcee and ex-con, who are desperate to save the family farm from foreclosure due to what they see as the unfair tactics of their bank. So, the hatch a plan: if the bank is trying to take money from them, they’ll beat them to it and take money from the bank. No sooner have they started their crime spree than two Texas Rangers, Marcus Hamilton and Alberto Parker (a laconic Bridges and excellent Gil Birmingham), start out on their trail. What appears to be a series of random robberies to most law enforcement, to Marcus is clearly the work of two men.
Written by Taylor Sheridan (Sicario, Wind River) and directed by David Mackenzie (Starred Up, Outlaw King), Hell or High Water takes elements of the Western and brings them bang up-to-date. The film crackles with dialogue – particularly Bridges less-than-pc law enforcer – and the action keeps the film rattling along at breakneck speed. At the same time, Sheridan’s script reminds us of impact of big finance on lives a world away from the shenanigans of Wall Street.
