I literally don't know where to start with this absolutely dreamy, heartwarming, cuddle of a film.
It is most definitely one of the best films I've ever seen (I'm serious) and possibly the best performance anyone has ever pulled out of Chris Pine.
I'm jumping wayyyyy ahead of myself here, so I'll start at the beginning.
Surprisingly, this beautifully written script was languishing on the Black List of 2012 (Google it) after being written so lovingly by Charming Town's Deputy Hale himself, Mr Taylor Sheridan, who actually wrote Sicario as well - I had no idea! Anyway, the screenplay for 'Hell or High Water' won that year and not so soon after, Pete Berg's production company, Film 44, got involved and boom, 4 years later we have a gorgeous film - I have to say at this point that as soon as I heard Peter Berg was attached, I just knew it would be cinematic gold and I wasn't wrong. Let's face it, anything the man touches will literally make you die inside and also give you so much life within the same 140 minute period (Please see Lone Survivor).
That being said, I am extremely glad that he didn't direct it as was originally intended, not that I don't completely adore his films, but I know we would have been left with a much more sickly sweet, sentimental, dare I say cheesy, film. What we have now, thanks to the masterful yet simple direction of fellow Brit David MacKenzie (Starred up, Hallam Foe), is a beautifully shot, gently simmering, golden tinged drama, telling a tale of family loyalty, brotherly bonds, morality, political corruption and so much more.
David MacKenzie's direction seems to rely solely on imagery rather than overblown dialogue to keep films chugging along steadily, with a few sudden outbursts of violence or action to keep the film moving and the characters developing. Starred Up is a perfect example of this, I saw quite a few similarities in directing style while watching 'Hell or High Water' even though they are polar opposites in reality.
'Hell or High Water' tells the story of two pretty unremarkable brothers, who have recently embarked on a bank robbing spree - the reasons behind this unfold throughout the film, along with snippets of their family history and personal pasts, all of which will make you fall more and more in love with the pair of them.
Which brings me nicely to a point where I can talk about performances.
Chris Pine is the most adorable he's ever been and the most impressive for sure. He's usually playing the devilishly handsome and charismatic leading man who's always slightly too cocky and quick witted. He is completely removed from that with this performance, he was so still and reserved - all blue eyes and dirty stubble. He really showed that he doesn't have to be some over blown caricature of himself to hold your attention, in fact he barely says anything throughout the film, but when he does its in these muted tones with a perfectly crafted Texas accent that will make you go weak at the knees and see nothing else but him. To barely move or talk (except for one really violent outburst, that I enjoyed way more than I probably should have) in a film and still mesmerise you, is a talent not many possess.
Those blue eyes surely must now hold a tiny piece of every soul that's ever watched him in anything??
The only thing in this movie better than Chris 'My eyes alone could possibly make you just curl up and die' Pine, was my favourite super lunatic; Ben Foster.
I am bothered on quite a regular basis that Ben Foster isn't among the Oscar winning A list, even more so now I've seen this performance. He caught my attention in Alpha Dog because it was such an intensely psychotic performance but still included some light comedic moments - he's a total chameleon. He also provided the comic relief in this film with some laugh out loud and some smirk inducing moments He portrayed the older Howard brother as a slightly twitchy, seriously hyperactive, darkly humorous, ex con who is deeply troubled by his past but fiercely loyal to his brother. Throughout the film you see that he will do anything his brother needs and will protect him no matter what. You sort of get the sense that he is taking part in the plan simply because he enjoys the thrill of it and sees himself as having nothing left to lose and more importantly; because his brother asked him to.
The chemistry these two had was just gorgeous to watch - they are both such big personalities usually that the understated charm of their collective performance was an absolute joy to witness, so natural and genuine, so much so that the dialogue all seemed improvised, although I'm unsure if it actually was.
There was one exquisite scene set against a glorious Texas sunset of the two of them play fighting - sounds stupid but they were nothing short of angelic. I genuinely hope that they really do have that level of bromance off screen as well.
While I'm on the subject of bromance.............
The story is told from two points of view and explores two relationships, the Howard brothers and the two law men who are in pursuit of them. Jeff Bridges and Gil Birmingham play the seasoned, nearing retirement, police officers chasing the Howard boys but seemingly remaining 2 steps behind at all times. They have a wonderful relationship which you can tell is based on years of mutual respect even if it is thinly veiled by the racist jokes made at the latter's expense, almost constantly.
There is little to no interaction between the two pairs, its like two separate timelines you flip between throughout, but in the closing scene, their paths finally cross and you absolutely get what you wanted. I did anyway. It's a moment and an exchange that made me hold my breath - not in a frantic panicky way but in a calm, I don't even need oxygen to enjoy this, sort of way. You'll know what I mean when you see it.
The cinematography was breathtaking, the whole thing was like a love letter to the Texas landscape, for a film set in rural and small town Texas, it was actually a real treat for the eyes. Big sweeping shots of the dry Texan landscape, interspersed with the grey roads and bright lights of the casino's sounds like an unlikely combination but it worked so well. Brokeback Mountain and No Country for Old Men spring to mind.
The soundtrack was so fitting that it set the mood so well as a good soundtrack should, I don't think I recognised one single song but they were all twangy guitar'd country songs that usually I wouldn't listen to - but it worked so well it added to the films uneasy charm. The original score was all composed and arranged by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - this speaks for itself really.
I've got so much more to say but this post is already too long.
Go and see it - you wont be disappointed.
It is most definitely one of the best films I've ever seen (I'm serious) and possibly the best performance anyone has ever pulled out of Chris Pine.
I'm jumping wayyyyy ahead of myself here, so I'll start at the beginning.
Surprisingly, this beautifully written script was languishing on the Black List of 2012 (Google it) after being written so lovingly by Charming Town's Deputy Hale himself, Mr Taylor Sheridan, who actually wrote Sicario as well - I had no idea! Anyway, the screenplay for 'Hell or High Water' won that year and not so soon after, Pete Berg's production company, Film 44, got involved and boom, 4 years later we have a gorgeous film - I have to say at this point that as soon as I heard Peter Berg was attached, I just knew it would be cinematic gold and I wasn't wrong. Let's face it, anything the man touches will literally make you die inside and also give you so much life within the same 140 minute period (Please see Lone Survivor).
That being said, I am extremely glad that he didn't direct it as was originally intended, not that I don't completely adore his films, but I know we would have been left with a much more sickly sweet, sentimental, dare I say cheesy, film. What we have now, thanks to the masterful yet simple direction of fellow Brit David MacKenzie (Starred up, Hallam Foe), is a beautifully shot, gently simmering, golden tinged drama, telling a tale of family loyalty, brotherly bonds, morality, political corruption and so much more.
David MacKenzie's direction seems to rely solely on imagery rather than overblown dialogue to keep films chugging along steadily, with a few sudden outbursts of violence or action to keep the film moving and the characters developing. Starred Up is a perfect example of this, I saw quite a few similarities in directing style while watching 'Hell or High Water' even though they are polar opposites in reality.
'Hell or High Water' tells the story of two pretty unremarkable brothers, who have recently embarked on a bank robbing spree - the reasons behind this unfold throughout the film, along with snippets of their family history and personal pasts, all of which will make you fall more and more in love with the pair of them.
Which brings me nicely to a point where I can talk about performances.
Chris Pine is the most adorable he's ever been and the most impressive for sure. He's usually playing the devilishly handsome and charismatic leading man who's always slightly too cocky and quick witted. He is completely removed from that with this performance, he was so still and reserved - all blue eyes and dirty stubble. He really showed that he doesn't have to be some over blown caricature of himself to hold your attention, in fact he barely says anything throughout the film, but when he does its in these muted tones with a perfectly crafted Texas accent that will make you go weak at the knees and see nothing else but him. To barely move or talk (except for one really violent outburst, that I enjoyed way more than I probably should have) in a film and still mesmerise you, is a talent not many possess.
Those blue eyes surely must now hold a tiny piece of every soul that's ever watched him in anything??
The only thing in this movie better than Chris 'My eyes alone could possibly make you just curl up and die' Pine, was my favourite super lunatic; Ben Foster.
I am bothered on quite a regular basis that Ben Foster isn't among the Oscar winning A list, even more so now I've seen this performance. He caught my attention in Alpha Dog because it was such an intensely psychotic performance but still included some light comedic moments - he's a total chameleon. He also provided the comic relief in this film with some laugh out loud and some smirk inducing moments He portrayed the older Howard brother as a slightly twitchy, seriously hyperactive, darkly humorous, ex con who is deeply troubled by his past but fiercely loyal to his brother. Throughout the film you see that he will do anything his brother needs and will protect him no matter what. You sort of get the sense that he is taking part in the plan simply because he enjoys the thrill of it and sees himself as having nothing left to lose and more importantly; because his brother asked him to.
The chemistry these two had was just gorgeous to watch - they are both such big personalities usually that the understated charm of their collective performance was an absolute joy to witness, so natural and genuine, so much so that the dialogue all seemed improvised, although I'm unsure if it actually was.
There was one exquisite scene set against a glorious Texas sunset of the two of them play fighting - sounds stupid but they were nothing short of angelic. I genuinely hope that they really do have that level of bromance off screen as well.
While I'm on the subject of bromance.............
The story is told from two points of view and explores two relationships, the Howard brothers and the two law men who are in pursuit of them. Jeff Bridges and Gil Birmingham play the seasoned, nearing retirement, police officers chasing the Howard boys but seemingly remaining 2 steps behind at all times. They have a wonderful relationship which you can tell is based on years of mutual respect even if it is thinly veiled by the racist jokes made at the latter's expense, almost constantly.
There is little to no interaction between the two pairs, its like two separate timelines you flip between throughout, but in the closing scene, their paths finally cross and you absolutely get what you wanted. I did anyway. It's a moment and an exchange that made me hold my breath - not in a frantic panicky way but in a calm, I don't even need oxygen to enjoy this, sort of way. You'll know what I mean when you see it.
The cinematography was breathtaking, the whole thing was like a love letter to the Texas landscape, for a film set in rural and small town Texas, it was actually a real treat for the eyes. Big sweeping shots of the dry Texan landscape, interspersed with the grey roads and bright lights of the casino's sounds like an unlikely combination but it worked so well. Brokeback Mountain and No Country for Old Men spring to mind.
The soundtrack was so fitting that it set the mood so well as a good soundtrack should, I don't think I recognised one single song but they were all twangy guitar'd country songs that usually I wouldn't listen to - but it worked so well it added to the films uneasy charm. The original score was all composed and arranged by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - this speaks for itself really.
I've got so much more to say but this post is already too long.
Go and see it - you wont be disappointed.