Movie Description
This epic western combines themes of classic westerns from the past, where cowboys fought to the death for honor and the love of a good woman, while exploring the modern predicament of the death of the true cowboy. Based on the novel by Max Evans, this tale of the friendship between two men is set against the sumptously beautiful lanscape of post-WWII New Mexico. After fighting in the war, two good friends decide to go into cattle business for themselves. Big Boy (Woody Harrelson) is an old-fashioned cowboy, living life on the edge with a drink in one hand and a pistol in the other. His good friend Pete (Billy Crudup) is more mild mannered, but both men work hard to make something of their ranch, struggling to succeed in a world that is quickly becoming hard for small-time cowboys to survive in. Their friendship is tested when they both fall for the same married woman, the lonely and gorgeous Mona (Patricia Arquette). When Big Boy and Mona become lovers, the small town seethes with rumors and jealous men want to see Big Boy dead for his infidelity. Director Stephen Frears displays a keen eye for period detail and the wide open beauty of the surroundings, letting the landscape speak for the film's more laconic characters. Woody Harrelson shines as the kinetic Big Boy with his usual raw energy and spark, while Billy Crudup turns in a typically outstanding performance as his more subdued friend Pete.
| Credits | | Producer: | Barbara De Fina, Eric Fellner, Tim Bevan | | Cast: | Enrique Castillo, Jacob Vargas, Lane Smith, Rosaleen Linehan, Sam Elliott |
Notes
Famed western director Sam Peckinpah owned the rights to this film for many years, but died before he was able to make the film.
Screenwriter Walon Green wrote the screenplay for Peckinpah's THE WILD BUNCH.
British director Stephen Frears studied Westerns for three years in preparation for the film.
THE HI-LO COUNTRY features the first English-language starring role for Spanish actress Penélope Cruz.
Editorial Reviews
"...A likable, leisurely Western saga....Strong performances by [Harrelson and Crudup]..."
Farber
"...[Harrelson's] lusty, deeply felt and surprisingly gallant performance truly rises to the occasion..."
Travers
"...[Harrelson] makes the character as charming and noble and near-mythic as he was intended to be..."
Premiere - Glenn Kenny (02/01/1999)
"...A competent piece of work, featuring a handful of memorable performances and undeniably polished production values..."
Box Office - Wade Major (02/01/1999)
"...THE HI-LO COUNTRY is a film of high quality, beautifully shot..."
Los Angeles Times - Kenneth Turan (12/30/1998)
"...The movie evokes the open space of New Mexico with a bright, dusty grandeur..."
Chicago Sun-Times - Roger Ebert (01/22/1999)
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