The Hi-Lo Country (1998)

An intimate story of the enduring bond of friendship between two hard-living men, set against a sweeping backdrop: the American West, post-World War II, in its twilight. Pete and Big Boy ... See full summary »

Director:

Stephen Frears

Writers:

Max Evans (novel), Walon Green (screenplay)

Stars:

Billy Crudup, Woody Harrelson, Cole Hauser

4 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Billy Crudup	...	Pete Calder
Woody Harrelson	...	Big Boy Matson
Cole Hauser	...	Little Boy Matson
Enrique Castillo	...	Levi Gomez
Darren E. Burrows	...	Billy Harte (as Darren Burrows)
Jacob Vargas	...	Delfino Mondragon
Robert Knott	...	Jack Couffer
Sam Elliott	...	Jim Ed Love
Sandy Baron	...	Henchman
Patricia Arquette	...	Mona Birk
John Diehl	...	Les Birk
Craig Carter	...	Art Logan
Penélope Cruz	...	Josepha O'Neil
Walter C. Hall	...	Auctioneer
James Gammon	...	Hoover Young

Storyline

An intimate story of the enduring bond of friendship between two hard-living men, set against a sweeping backdrop: the American West, post-World War II, in its twilight. Pete and Big Boy are masters of the prairie, but ultimately face trickier terrain: the human heart.

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Plot Keywords:

friendship | brother shot by brother | divorce | winchester rifle | western music | 

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Taglines:

A woman like Mona can drive men to extremes.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance | Western

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some sexuality, a scene of violence, and for brief language

Details

Official Sites:

Gramercy

Country:

USA UK Germany

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 January 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

Hi-Lo Country

Filming Locations:

Bernal, New Mexico, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$17,712 (USA) (1 January 1999)

Gross:

$163,810 (USA) (12 March 1999)

Company Credits

Production Co:

De Fina-Cappa, Polygram Filmed Entertainment, Working Title Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

114 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Director Sam Peckinpah tried to get this movie produced for years, but unfortunately he died before he had the chance.

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Goofs

A Coke vending machine is clearly labeled ten cents. In this part of the country in the late 1940s it would have been five cents. Around 1960 vending machines went to six cents, quite a novelty at the time, requiring two coins to get a Coke. It was later in the 1960s when vending machines finally went to ten cents.

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Quotes

Pete Calder: People still drive cattle to rail heads.
Jim Ed Love: Only in the movies.

User Reviews

Good ''modern'' western

I really enjoyed this ''modern'' western about two young war veterans coming back home from the war zone and trying to make a living by working as old-fashioned cowboys. Pete Calder ( Billy Crudup ) is the shy and reserved one, Big Boy ( Woody Harrelson ) the risk taker with the biggest mouth and smoothest bluffing skills. Their friendship is threatened by the lovely Mona ( Patriccia Arquette ); an adulteress, sending in mixed signals to both of the boys.

You know, I sometimes don't get it why good movies get low or mediocre scores. The way I see it, this movie has its flaws, but it is almost as good as the recent Brokeback Mountain. I really like this epic story about unreachable love and jealousy at someone you consider as a true friend. Add the intense bar fights, gorgeous scenery and a top cast, I'd say this is a very good movie. The only thing I have to comment is that some of the characters just don't get so much attention as they deserve ( like the Mexican guy or Hoover Young ). It felt as if their characters had an important role in the novel, but there just wasn't the time for them in this movie to give them their deserved deep layer. Alas, I can live with that.