By Emilio Frenk
Director: David Mackenzie
Cast: Chris Pine, Ben Foster, Jeff Bridges, Gil Birmingham, Katy Mixon and Marin Ireland.
Rating: Excellent.
David Mackenzie, Director of “Perfect Sense” and “Hallam Foe” brings “Hell or High Water” and if the year was ending now I would put it as the best film of 2016.
The movie starts with Toby (Chris Pine) and Tanner (Ben Foster) two brothers who become thiefs in order to save their Texas Ranch.
This will draw the attention of Marcus Hamilton (Jeff Bridges) a Texas Ranger about to retire who with his partner Alberto Parker (Gil Birmingham) will be determined to catch the brothers and put a stop on all the thefts.
“Hell or High Water” has all the elements of a good thriller and a good drama which I consider it more due to the main thematic of two brothers who at any costs will do anything to protect what they have created, leading them to perform desperate moves. I consider this movie to be a criticism toward capitalism and financial crisis in general.
The script written for Taylor Sheridan, who wrote last year´s “Sicario” did another amazing job here, leading to a magnificent screenplay.
The direction of Mackenzie was superb and I was surprised by the acting of both Chris Pine and Ben Foster who gave so far the best performances of their careers, specially Pine who did a different approach from the movies we have seen him and took this performance to the next level.
About Jeff Bridges is a guarantee to see him playing a good role and here was no different.
The confrontation between Bridges and Pine in the climax of the film is one of the most engaging and surprising climaxes I´ve seen in a long time and remind me to the confrontation of Clint Eastwood and Kevin Costner in "A Perfect World" due to the tension and dialogue that happens during the scene.
This movie I am sure it will be competing in next years´s awards in the Best Screenplay and it won´t be surprising if Chris Pine lands a Best Actor nomination for this film and Foster in the Supporting Category.
“Hell or High Water” is the best drama/thriller of 2016 and so far the best movie of this year and I give it a huge recommendation and I can guarantee you that you will not be dissapointed when you watch this movie.