Hell or High Water

— This neo-Western moves at a seemingly lazy pace, giving its actors room to shine and its script room to unfold into a wonderful film. Two brothers seem to be small-time and not-too-bright bank robbers as the film begins. As they move through the stark but beautiful west Texas landscape, stopping at sleepy towns in varying states of economic decline, their more complicated plan and their more complicated backstory are revealed. Along the way, a Texas Ranger who is about to retire focuses on catching them. It’s a subtle but beautiful dance among characters who may be the last of a breed, living in a dusty world that’s been exploited by banks and big businesses, until nothing is black or white—only gray remains. Most of the stoic townspeople have a vague look of resignation but, while their children may be heading elsewhere for a better life, they remain in west Texas, some with a bit of pioneer spirit still dimly burning. Jeff Bridges shines with every glance, grunt, and gesture to say nothing of his dialogue, and both Chris Pine and Ben Foster are incredible as well. There are also some very funny lines throughout and two waitresses who are nothing alike but both steal their respective scenes. This film, along with “Florence Foster Jenkins,” marks the end of summer with all its action films, kid films, and teen films. I liked “Hell or High Water” a lot and left the theater hopeful the fall will bring more films of this caliber.

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[2016. 102 min. Directed by David Mackenzie. Starring Jeff Bridges, Chris Pine, and Ben Foster.]
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/hell-high-water-cannes-review-893095