Movie Breakdown: The Highwaymen

Pre-Screening Stance:

The pieces here seem right.  John Lee Hancock (The Blind Side, Saving Mr. Banks) is a serviceable director, Kevin Costner and Woody Harrelson are good actors, and the plot sounds interesting.  Too bad though that Netflix Originals are rarely as good as they look.  My fingers are crossed for this one.

Post-Screening Ramble:

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Netflix really needs to hire someone to edit their movies.  The Highwaymen is a fairly solid affair, but its two hour and 12 minute runtime is a total detriment to the film.  It really should have been a breezy retelling of the two Texas Rangers who tracked down Bonnie and Clyde, but because director John Lee Hancock steadily allows for the story to meander, it’s a bloated, slow-paced film.  Again, it’s not a bad one.  I think Kevin Costner is pretty great as the cranky but determined Frank Hamer and Woody Harrelson’s Maney Gault is interesting enough.  Also, the true story of a pair of near-broken Texas Rangers getting pulled out of retirement to hunt down two of the most infamous criminals ever is one worth telling, and it’s done pretty well here.  There’s just not enough that happens between the good parts though, and that’s what makes The Highwaymen feel like such an uphill climb.

Should you watch The Highwaymen?  Sure.  I think that overall it’s worth your time.  Just don’t be surprised if you feel the need to browse your phone or hit the kitchen during the various slow moments that are littered about throughout the film.

One Last Thought:

I doubt it will ever happen, but I think it would be fun if Kevin Costner made a big comeback.  He’s not the greatest actor, but the gravitas is there.  If anything, I’d at least like to see him do a slew of interesting, smaller roles.