In some ways, Hell or High Water is pretty timeless. Two brothers (Tanner, Ben Foster and Toby, Chris Pine) go on bank robbing spree with lawmen Marcus Hamilton (Jeff Bridges) and Alberto Parker (Gil Birmingham) hot on their heels. So, the events could have happened any time in the last 150 years and the film could have been made any time within the last 75.
In other ways, it is completely modern and relevant. They, for the most part, only rob one particular chain of banks, as that is the one threatening to foreclose on their ranch, just as they have with many other dwellings since the last financial crash. There is also an interesting nod to the gun ownership debate which is again to the fore as the American presidential election draws near.
Having said all of that, it also has the feel of a 1970s film, with its intelligent screenplay, muscular and conflicted male characters, and the atmospheric direction by David MacKenzie. In short, this is a smart, thrilling, beautifully shot film (by Giles Nuttgens) featuring a great score by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis. It is so good, that even the well worn cliché of a cop on one last case before retirement doesn’t feel hackneyed. That in part is due to a marvelous performance by Bridges, who is unexpectedly matched by Pine in the role of his career so far.
There are only a couple of minor missteps in the script, otherwise this is a truly great film.
Rating: 9.5 out of 10