Granted, this is a film that came out a while back, but seeing as it’s in award contention, let’s roll with it. David Mackenzie follows up his gritty prison drama Starred Up by taking the man with the truest grit and placing him in yet another western. Only this time he’s after Captain Kirk and the guy from 3:10 to Yuma.
The True Grit isn’t purely because Jeff Bridges is a lawman in that western and Hell or High Water; ‘The Dude’ casually channels the same grumbling, dry performance as Texas Ranger Marcus Hamilton. It’s not quite as lazy as it sounds, largely because of a particularity heart-prodding scene where the tough, cheerful exterior cracks (albeit briefly) under intense emotional pressure. It also helps Bridges is so goddamn charming.
Toby and Tanner Howard (Chris Pine and Ben Foster respectively) are two brothers desperately robbing banks to stop the bank from foreclosing on their farm. While Toby is reluctant, ex-con Tanner is the wildcard enjoying the thrill of the crime. Foster – despite his character’s misgivings – is delightfully watchable in these instances, whereas Pine excels in the quieter moments where Toby gravely faces down the slimy bank manager. The duo are typically sympathetic, with their honourable cause, but the backstory and personality clashes are what flesh them out into more than just simple Robin Hood-ish figures.
The strengths of the ‘stick-it-to-the-man’ story lie in the characters. Sadly, Taylor Sheridan’s script does lay the point on a bit to thick in places, especially when Marcus’ partner Alberto (Gil Birmingham) compares the banks to invading settlers who screwed over his ancestors. Then again, that hardly makes the point less valid.
Like many of the best thrillers, Mackenzie doesn’t inject Hell or High Water with unnecessary action sequences or western staple shootouts. That may turn some action aficionados, but when the final confrontation arrives, it has over an hour of dramatic tension and build up to support it.
FOUR STARS – Very solid and lean, but seriously if you haven’t seen Starred Up, do it. It’s got Jack O’Connell’s balls in it and everything.
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