The Highwaymen (2019) is one of the countless entries from the streaming platform Netflix. While many are a miss, this one I think is a hit. It received mixed reviews from critics, but I will tell you why it deserves a chance as a movie lover. Read here! This article will be spoiler-free (except for commonly known parts of Bonnie and Clyde's story).
This cinema biography piece depicts the men who took down Bonnie and Clyde. The murderous couple has been on the run for years, and the media plays them off as folk heroes (real shocker <insert sarcasm>). People think they only rob from the government and banks when in reality it was much worse. Bonnie and Clyde would sit by the side of the road acting like their car were broken down and wait for cops. As soon as they stop to help, the couple murders them for the fun. This happened multiple times. Frank Hamer and Maney Gault are pulled from retirement to reignite the Texas Rangers and put an end to the murderous rampage.
Kevin Costner as Frank Hamer is a great choice. He plays a "straight man" character and is enjoying retirement. He is reluctant at first, but he eventually decides to take them up on the offer. He doesn't show much emotion, and that is built into the story. His character and Woody Harrelson's portrayal of Maney Gault are different. Costner can hide the emotion even though he feels it too while Harrelson wears it on his sleeve. Both actors do a fantastic job.
For me, the best part about the movie is the story-telling. Some critics think this is the problem when they said: "It is kind of boring." What did you expect? It's a real story they're telling. This isn't a five shootouts kind of story, and I mean all offense to those critics who just don't understand. The script is about two older retired men who were once the biggest and baddest of them all. They are needed now to take down the worst gangsters of their time, and it is a struggle because of their age and past. Being back on the road can bring up bad memories, and we see this happen.
There is a scene where Woody Harrelson's character describes what they had to do to stop this gang (I won't give this story away). That is a scene to watch for as you see the movie. Another part involves a gas station attendant who wishes luck to the murdering couple in front of Costner. Needless to say, he loses it. Also, I enjoy the cinematography of the movie. There are some wonderful shots.
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