Today’s quick review: The Highwaymen. In 1934, the crime spree of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow draws former Texas ranger Frank Hamer (Kevin Costner) out of retirement. Given a badge and orders to kill Bonnie and Clyde, Frank sets out to track down the elusive outlaws. To help him, he recruits Maney Gault (Woody Harrelson), a washed-up fellow ranger. Their search takes them across the South, following Bonnie and Clyde’s trail of violence.
The Highwaymen is a historical crime drama based on the hunt for Bonnie and Clyde. Kevin Costner and Woody Harrelson star as Frank and Maney, the men tasked with ending Bonnie and Clyde’s two-year crime spree. The Highwaymen features a well-constructed plot, two solid leads, and a decent amount of character drama, as well as a detailed historical setting. However, the movie doesn’t reach the emotional heights of the best films in the genre.
The main draw of The Highwaymen is the cat-and-mouse game between the two lawmen and their targets. Frank and Maney must use their wits to outmaneuver Bonnie and Clyde, relying on old-fashioned detective work to figure out where the roving criminals will turn up next. The leads they follow, the close calls they have, and the persistent risk of danger give the plot plenty to work with. Still, the actual action is limited to a few key moments.
The other side of the story deals with Frank and Maney’s relationship with the law. Frank is a gunfighter willing to do what is necessary to enforce justice. Maney is more ambivalent, troubled by the decisions he’s had to make. Both men must also deal with a changing world where killers like Bonnie and Clyde are seen as heroes. The character drama is handled reasonably well, adding color to the story without drawing focus from the manhunt.
The Highwaymen is worth a watch for fans of the grounded, realistic side of the crime genre. The mechanics of the investigation, the touches of character development, and the historical angle all make The Highwaymen a fine pick. Those hoping for a crime epic, however, may want to try something with a little more weight behind it.
For a Prohibition-era crime drama that follows another notorious criminal, try Public Enemies. For a historical crime drama with a tenser story and a broader scope, try The Untouchables. For a fictional crime drama with an even more elaborate plot, try L.A. Confidential.
6.9 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for a good mix of plot and character.