The Mind-Blowing Twist: An Ex-Robber's Praise Sets Yellowstone Creator's 2016 Bank Robbery Movie Apart

Summary

A former bank robber praises Hell or High Water for its realistic portrayal of bank robbery scenes, noting details like driving with windows down during escapes.

In the movie, bank robbers opt to request loose cash rather than bundles in order to evade dye packs and tracers, a cunning strategy that, however, restricts the amount of money they can obtain.

Bank robbers actively observe individuals coming in and leaving the bank, considering the realistic possibility of encountering an armed customer.

Former bank robber Cain Vincent Dyer recently praised Taylor Sheridan's acclaimed bank robbery movie Hell or High Water. Dyer commended the film for its attention to detail, specifically mentioning the realistic portrayal of the characters during the robbery scenes. He highlighted how the central characters drove with their windows down, blending in with other drivers on the road.

The first thing people will wonder is, "Why are you speeding off?" That rush of adrenaline is undeniable. When the man instructed him to slow down, both windows were rolled down. This was a deliberate choice on my part. Typically, someone trying to escape would want to remain inconspicuous. However, bank robbers believe that loose cash, rather than bundles, is the safer option. Bundles often contain dye packs that explode or have tracers in them, which is true. I've encountered a tracer before. If there is a bundle, it is usually in the middle. They believe that taking only loose currency will prevent them from encountering a dye pack or a tracer. It's a clever strategy, but it does limit the amount of money they can collect. In this particular scene, the customer is armed. This is a major concern for bank robbers, or at least it was for me. It is one of the reasons why I would thoroughly research and observe citizens entering and exiting the bank, paying attention to their demeanor, aggressiveness, and willingness to comply. Consequently, only one person confronted me in all of my robberies. Thankfully, they were unarmed. The scene felt very real, except for the fact that I allowed the guy to keep the gun, simply placing it on the counter. I robbed two banks in the same morning, which I am guilty of. I knew one bank would likely have a significant amount of money during that time, and there was another nearby bank. The other robbers, in contrast, were motivated by desperation as their initial robbery did not yield much. Their desperation drove them to commit a second robbery on the same day. That element felt very authentic, scoring an 8 out of 10 in terms of realism.

How Hell or High Water Led To Sheridan's Biggest Success

With the release of Hell or High Water, Sheridan finally achieved breakthrough success as a writer. The previous year, he had captivated audiences with the intense action-thriller Sicario, led by Emily Blunt. Similar to that Denis Villeneuve-directed film, Hell or High Water showcased Sheridan's distinctive writing style. It delved into the grittier aspects of the world while also rejuvenating the Western genre for modern viewers.

Sheridan achieved further success after receiving an Oscar nomination in 2016 for the film Wind River. However, it was the combination of that film and Hell or High Water that ultimately led to his greatest success with the Yellowstone franchise. Co-created by Sheridan and John Linson, and mostly written by Sheridan himself, the show initially received mixed reviews but has since gained acclaim due to Sheridan's ability to bring a gripping and modern approach to the Western genre.

Notably, many of Sheridan's frequent collaborators, such as Gil Birmingham from Hell or High Water, have also appeared in Yellowstone. Birmingham portrays Chief Thomas Rainwater, one of the main rivals of the Dutton family. While the Kevin Costner-led show may be ending following Costner's departure, Sheridan's success will continue as he develops a Yellowstone sequel with Matthew McConaughey, a prequel set in 1944, and various other projects for ViacomCBS, including Lawmen: Bass Reeves on Paramount+.

Source: Insider