#4- Hell or High Water

The classic western gets a modern restoration with “Hell or High Water,” the story of two brothers who resort to bank robbing in order to pay off their deceased mother’s debts; meanwhile, a soon-to-retire cop and his partner hunt their trail. While the story is simple, the characters have depth and complexity. Chris Pine and Ben Foster give wonderful performances as the two brothers, and have a dynamic foil in terms of their temperament. The screenplay by Taylor Sheridan is one of the best of the year as well, filled gritty realism and dry humor. Most of the humor comes from Jeff Bridges, who gives one of the best performances of the year as the cop on his last legs. The fascinating characters and sharp dialogue make “Hell or High Water” one of the best films of the year and possibly a classic in years to come.