The Highwaymen (2019) – Review

Bonnie and Clyde from 1967 is seen by many as a classic film. The film with Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway is seen as a revolutionary film that changed the direction of Hollywood. I saw the film a few years ago for the first time and I have to admit that I didn’t think it was that special. Maybe I should give it a second chance, but I didn’t connect with it and gave it a 6. Criminal Clyde Barrow and former waitress Bonnie Parker commit bank robberies together, were seen as celebrities at the time and over the years various films have been made about them. The story about a man and a woman who go into crime together apparently appeals. But every story has multiple sides and the new Netflix movie The Highwaymen shows how two police officers are chasing the duo with the aim of eliminating them.

Frank Hamer (Kevin Costner) is a retired Texas ranger who enjoys his life. He made a name for himself during his career, but left that life behind him. However, because of his expertise, he is approached to track Bonnie and Clyde. With much hesitation he decides to take the case and reluctantly teams up with his old partner Maney Gault (Woody Harrelson). He has a drinking problem and is kind of in a bad place. Together they are named “highwaymen” and start looking for Bonnie and Clyde.

 What this film succeeds in is convincingly bringing the 1930s period to life in costumes, sets and cars. It is clear that police investigation was not yet at the level that it is now and that it was hard work to get information. Costner and Harrelson have an interesting chemistry together. Costner’s character is a somewhat boring man, but he is very good at his work and Harrelson’s character is the lively one of the two, who is much better able to get along with others. The Highwaymen is a film that is well made, but never gets really exciting. A title that looks great, but is not really special.

[score6]