The Highwaymen

Netflix Movie Review: “The Highwaymen". Critics gave it a 52%, the users a 78%. Rated: R with a 2 hr and 12 min run time and an IMDb of 7.1/10. Cast: Kevin Costner, Woody Harrelson, Kathy Bates, John Carroll Lynch, Kim Dickens, Thomas Mann and William Sadler.

Former Texas Rangers Frank Hamer and Maney Gault join forces to try and capture notorious outlaws Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow.

The Highwaymen is a 2019 American crime film directed by John Lee Hancock and written by John Fusco. The film had been in development for many years, with producer Casey Silver looking into the project as early as 2005.

Originally pitched by Fusco as a possible Paul Newman and Robert Redford project, the film began development at Universal Pictures but never came to fruition. In February 2018, it was reported Netflix had picked up the rights to the film and that Costner and Harrelson would star. Filming took place later that month and in March, shooting around Louisiana and at several historical sites, including the road where Bonnie and Clyde were killed. The Highwaymen began a limited theatrical release in the United States on March 15, 2019 and was released digitally on March 29, 2019 on Netflix.

This story is told from the other perspective that we are used to see. Two aged, recommissioned Texas Rangers take on Bonny and Clyde and hunt them in the end using same tactics that they 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, which works real well.

Set-design is excellent! Camerawork follows the happenings from the perspective of Costner and Harrelson, and you get a clear idea of what they are facing while dealing with the likes of these criminals. There are some intense moments that will keep you on the edges of your seats. The acting is well done and the screen chemistry of Costner and Harrelson works like magic. Their banter won’t let you feel that you are actually watching a hunting party involving some deep criminals.

We all know how this ends and the last scene brings this film to an amazing climax. What follows is an actual account of the lives of the real Texas Rangers and how the public reacts to, believe it or not, how much of a hero they thought Bonnie and Clyde were…….

I really enjoyed this version!