Hell or High Water

A decent old school robbery crime drama that builds mainly on a desert atmosphere and a trio of great actors. Ben Foster is classically nutty, Chris Pine is excellent as usual, he's been picking decent films lately, and Jeff Bridges was perfect for the role of the Texas sheriff. I wasn't bored for a moment, it's just a pity that there is no gore at all, which would have been useful here, otherwise great. 80% (22/11/2016)

A modern western with everything, even with a straightforward uncomplicated story that is not stupid. And although I liked Sheridan's Wind River a little more, I have no reason not to be satisfied. The script takes great care of all the characters (even the smallest ones, such as the old man in the bank or the waitress - actually waitresses - in the restaurant), the actors are perfect, and the directing and the camera make it all great. Add the music of Nick Cave and Warren Ellis, and the fact that this whole thing has the zest of Sam Peckinpah films, and you'll understand why this isn’t the last time I will watch Hell or High Water. (16/12/2018)

I found the term contemporary western a bit shocking at the start, but after all why not. The film takes place in Texas and apart from the kind-hearted sheriff, who is brilliantly portrayed by Jeff Bridges, there are also two guys who rob banks and I spent the entire movie trying to understand them, which, honestly, I couldn’t accomplish and the final punchline of the film doesn’t help it either. Nevertheless, thanks to the setting and the exemplary introduction to the Texan character, which takes shit from no one and nothing, this film is worth seeing. I also feel that this is the reason why this movie was actually made. It’s like a recruitment video: “Become a Texan… if you have the balls.” Addendum: And now we are going to play the movie Hell or High Water for you, which will present us in the rawest form and on top of that you will get to enjoy some beautiful scenery, which the director of photography used to emphasise the beauty of the scorched wasteland. (30/01/2017)

The film had a great theme, a good cast, a decent atmosphere, and finally some politically incorrect humor. I had fun, but... everything I just mentioned was spoiled by the ridiculously slow pacing. If you want to use long shots of the landscape, don’t pick Texas where everything looks the same. I was strongly surprised by the lack of negative characters. Even the lawyer was a good guy, so the mortgage guy was left to pick up the slack. What I liked was the rather unexpected ending. 3*+ (08/07/2018)

A pure post-western that doesn't remember the old days fondly, but laments the misery of the present, which doesn't favor cowboys. It’s a wistful tale from the borderlands that reigns in its casting and pure direction. However, the theatrical standing on the porch with a beer in your hand and philosophy on your lips is perhaps too much at times. (14/01/2017)