2016’s Hell or High Water was a groundbreaking film in filmmaker Taylor Sheridan’s filmography that acknowledged the themes of economic struggle, family bonds, and the consequences of desperation. Thanks to the thought-provoking narrative and remarkable performances by its cast, including Chris Pine, Ben Foster, and Jeff Bridges, the film was praised by fans all over the world.
Sheridan, who earned an Oscar nomination for his screenplay in the movie, once opened up about the idea behind the film, explaining that the movie tried to put a spotlight on the struggles of middle-class citizens.
Taylor Sheridan talked about 2016’s Hell or High Water
Filmmaker Taylor Sheridan is often praised for writing the story of 2016’s Hell or High Water. In a 2016 interview with TheWrap, the filmmaker explained that the movie was released at the perfect time,
“We just went through the election, it was a pretty painful one, and the country feels more polarized and more torn apart than before – there’s so much apprehension. I’ve heard people say Hell or High Water is the voice of this frustrated, forgotten middle class. I thought it would be unifying, and I think it can [help us] recognize, ‘Oh wow, poor is just poor, and corporate greed is corporate greed. Look how similar we are.'”
The whole idea behind the film was to put a spotlight on the struggles of people who are in the middle class.
Taylor Sheridan says the film addresses the suffering
Further in the interview, Taylor Sheridan explained that the film focuses on “the suffering.” The filmmaker also explained how he perceives the film,
“I never considered Hell or High Water a white, working-class film. To me, it’s strangely a movie about cowboys and Indians. It’s about people living in an area that was a battlefield 100 years ago, but now it’s a new battlefield–but the army is different, and the people who are left don’t know how to fight this army.”
The film featured some iconic Hollywood stars like Chris Pine, Ben Foster, Katy Mixon, Dale Dickey, and Jeff Bridges. The film managed to strike a chord among the audience as well as critics, earning the film several award nominations.
Hell or High Water earned $37 million
Hell or High Water grossed roughly $37 million on a $12 million budget. The film was nominated for numerous prestigious awards, including four Oscar nominations: Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor (Bridges), Best Original Screenplay, and Best Editing.
The film’s authentic portrayal of the economic hardships faced by many people in rural America contributed massively to the success of the film. Without a doubt, the film has left a lasting impact on the entertainment industry.
Source: TheWrap
