The Eagle Reviews: “Highwaymen” shows flip side of American crime

Viewers both young and old can find common ground in Netflix’s original movie “The Highwaymen”, a drama that follows ex-Texas Rangers Frank Hamer and Maney Gault in their mission to take down the legendary Bonnie and Clyde.

As soon as we hit the opening scene, we know trouble is afoot. Outlaws Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow pull off a classic prison break, releasing a few of their friends and leaving behind a blood trail in the process. Texas Gov. Miriam “Ma” Ferguson, played by Kathy Bates, is eager to stop the two and enlists former Texas Rangers Hamer and Gault after being persuaded by Department of Corrections Chief Lee Simmons, played by John Carroll Lynch. This is where Woody Harrelson, who plays Gault, and Kevin Costner, who plays Hamer, come in.

Harrelson plays a slightly-dopey but committed Gault, a good counter to Costner’s all-business Hamer. 

As the two follow Bonnie and Clyde through state lines and crime scenes, they find out just how important it is to catch the duo. The tension between them and the FBI is thick, but in the end they want the same thing: for Bonnie and Clyde to be put down.

I’m a fan of crime dramas and an even bigger fan of historical fiction, so “Highwaymen” fits right into my niche. It also helped that big-name stars like Costner, Harrelson and national treasure Bates were included. Though it may not seem like a big deal, the best part of “Highwaymen” was that its focus remained on Hamer and Gault and didn’t get lost in the glamor of Bonnie and Clyde.

If there was anything troubling about the film, it was the attention it drew to America’s unhealthy fixation with Bonnie and Clyde. The two were worshiped in both the papers and the streets; in one scene, Gault closes in on what he believes is Bonnie and Clyde, but before he can make a move their car is surrounded by a flock of gawking and cheering civilians eager for a peek at the celebrity gangsters. The scene was crucial because it showed how celebrated the two were when, in reality, they were rotten-to-the-core robbers and murderers.

If you’re seeking an intriguing history lesson, “Highwaymen” is for you. Even if you’re not, I recommend giving it a try. America’s unsung heroes often stay in the shadows, but this is the rare opportunity they come to light.