Horrible, fascist and poorly acted

Highly Overrated But Still Good

Don't listen to the Hype. It's awful

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

Hell or High Water is a grandly human film. Out of quintessential American hardship, two reckless yet earnest Texan brothers are on a daring mission to settle financial debt and provide for kin. On their heels are two equally earnest and driven Texas Rangers, bound by code of law and mutual respect. The parties are destined to clash in a gritty, nothing-to-lose showdown to the rugged, poverty-stricken, yet mesmerizing backdrop of Southwest America.Toby and Tanner unite in brotherhood and pain to form a well-oiled bank robbing machine. They ignite the film's first heist and display their simple dynamic. Tanner charges forward with a courteous, no-nonsense fury while Toby anchors the rear. The brothers juxtapose each other and harmonize a deep, reckless aggression with soundness of heart and humility as they plot their path to financial and emotional payback.Texas Rangers Marcus and Alberto pry themselves eagerly from their desk chairs to spearhead the chase of the common criminal and old-fashioned glory of taming wild. Marcus, on the brink of retirement, hides the pain of wanting to leave his mark and contribution with cynicism and sullenness. He takes the reigns as chief communicator with the witnesses, who all want their piece of the action, while Alberto absorbs the jives and insults his counterpart hurls with calm and cool. Toby and Tanner blaze forward with adrenal force, raiding by day and settling in the pleasures of gambling, sex, and beer to unwind, while Marcus and Alberto pick up the pieces and plot capture over steaks and untimely Christian rock. A haunting emotional soundtrack weaves us across the desolate Southwest towards a guns-blazing showdown, where brother and Ranger are tested in strength of will and love for one another. A masterfully simple screenplay evokes the pains and laughs of being human, and melds beautifully with fine acting, gritty cinematography, and melancholy music to produce a fantastic film.

The first time I watched this, I turned it off at about the 5-minute mark. I thought it was another dumb movie about inept country-bumpkins, which would rely on a mixture of slapstick and overly-done sappy and violent scenes in order to create enough of a pull to keep at least some audience members somewhat entertained.How wrong I was. I finally sat down and watched it with friends who insisted it was not what it appeared to be within the first few minutes of the film. Without giving too much away, and having to use a spoiler tag, Hell or High Water is a story about two brothers who after the death of their mother, organize a series of (justified?) bank robberies. What ensues is a catch-me-if-you-can scenario with the pursuing "law" hell-bent on catching them, and them hell-bent on not being caught. In short, it is a typical story of cops and robbers (or so you would think), with an atypical, uncommon and unconventional narrative. Given the plot, the remote setting and the almost nostalgic atmosphere and ambiance of the film, it is honestly a miracle, and more than a pleasant surprise, just how very gratifying and outstanding this film actually is.A definite must-watch.

As someone who was born and raised in north Texas, I can attest to how this film accurately portrays the locality and its residents. It's fun to see what you're familiar with up on the big screen. I'm finding that words are escaping me at the moment but this film was at times funny, gritty and REAL. This movie has none of that over-the-top blockbuster feeling. It's like Thelma & Louise (a genuinely underrated film) only with two male leads instead.9/10 would recommend to anyone who enjoys a compelling but not too deep action film.

Goofs: "During a scene near the very end of the movie, multiple pump jacks can be seen on the ranch property, but no tanks for storing the pumped oil."I live in SW Oklahoma just a little NW of the Wichita County, TX oil fields. The storage tanks are very often not located in proximity to the wells. This "goof" is not correct.