The Highwaymen

It's 1934. Bonnie Parker helps Clyde Barrow escape a Texas prison work gang. Governor Miriam "Ma" Ferguson (Kathy Bates) faces public pressure. Frank Hamer (Kevin Costner) is recruited to be a highwayman with orders to take down the rampaging fugitives. He and his partner Maney Gault (Woody Harrelson) are former Texas Rangers which was disbanded in those more civilized times. The duo tracks the fugitives to their ultimate ambush deaths in Louisiana.

Netflix seems to be taking over these medium sized films. This one tackles Bonnie & Clyde but from the other side. It's fascinating that Bonnie & Clyde were and continue to be media sensations. There are countless versions of them on the small screen and the big screen. They are cultural icons. They're basically shorthand for criminal Romeo & Juliet. They are cool and hot. They are the excitement and the romantic. Almost nothing is given to those who hunted and killed them. So it's really fascinating to see these icons with the eyes of their pursuers. Whether it's Costner, the time period, or the criminal icons, this reminds me of a harsher and less glossy The Untouchables. Bonnie & Clyde are more like side characters. They are the shark in Jaws. This paints a heroic weary picture of Hamer and Gault. These are old gunslingers from the Ole West. The truth is a little muddier. The ambush is interesting which does something more than the usual. The production is pretty good although I was concerned about authenticity at the beginning. It is closer than most Hollywood production. These are great characters. Costner and Harrelson are well within their elements. This is an engaging movie as a companion piece to the countless Bonnie & Clyde movies.

This story is told from the other perspective that we are used to see. Two aged, recommissioned(or, actually half-recommissioned) Texas Rangers take on Bonny and Clyde and hunt them in the end using same tactics that B&C used to kill lawmen. The tempo is slow at the beginning and builds up gradually until the climax. The sedate style of storytelling is intentional to give it a more realistic feel. The director Mr. Hancock achieves that masterfully! Set-design is excellent! Camerawork follows the happenings from the perspective of Pancho and Manny, and you get a clear idea of what they are facing while dealing with such criminals. There are some intense moments that will keep you on the edges of your seats! Finally, the acting. Superb! A plus straightaway! The screen chemistry of Costner and Harrelson works like magic, and their banter wont let you feel that you are actually watching a hunting party involving some deep criminals. The last scene is simply impeccable! I'd say its a solid eight-outta-ten!

We all saw the movie Bonnie and Clyde (1967) directed by Arthur Penn. In France, we all heard the eponymous song (Brigitte Bardot and Serge Gainsbourg, 1968). The Highwaymen is a mirror version with two retired Rangers in pursuit of the infamous outlaws Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker, considered as Robin Hood and his beloved wife by the plebs. A dead or alive hunt, in the 30's. Knowing that dead is a priori more practical, we suspect from the outset, even if we do not know the story, that it will probably be the chosen solution. In many aspects, I perceive the atmosphere of Unforgiven (1992) directed by Clint Eastwood, with its predictable and ineluctable ending, with cars and heavy machine guns instead of horses and Remingtons.

The actors, the photography, the costumes, the cars, the atmosphere of the post-1929 Great Depression, the rhythm, the dialogues, the soundtrack, ... This is an excellent movie! As a synthesis: 8/9 of 10.

This is the True story of 2 Texas Rangers who both came out of retirement to hunt down the notorious Bonnie and Clyde. Frank Hamer (Costner) and Maney Gault (Harrelson) team up and hit the road after being hired by Texas Governor Ma Ferguson(Bates) and the Prison Warden(J K Lynch) from where Barrow escaped. Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow were as famous as Movie Stars back in the 1930's and this is effectively portrayed especially at the end. Costner and Harrelson pairing works well and though maybe a bit long the Movie does its Job and so did the Bullets!

Movie that takes place in the 30s it was truly well done and very well thought out. This movie created the mystery of bonnie and clyde and the drama and havoc the created throughout the south. The true story of these 2 retired rangers made this all the more appealing. Kevin costner was a magnificent choice for haymer! Harrelson was perfect as his partner. I really enjoyed the big names in this movie down to Kathy bates. Very happy with the detail this film portrayed.