The Hi-Lo Country

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The Hi-Lo Country

R

Released Jan 22, 1999

1h 54m

Western

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

54%

Tomatometer

35 Reviews

48%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

Cowboy pals Pete Calder (Billy Crudup) and Big Boy Matson (Woody Harrelson) come back to the range after fighting in World War II. Pete hopes to return to the simplicity of cattle-herding, but wealthy local rancher Jim Ed Love (Sam Elliott) warns him that the ways of the Old West have vanished. Big Boy boozes, brawls, bets and wins the affections of the town's married temptress, Mona (Patricia Arquette). Down-to-earth Josepha (Penélope Cruz) yearns for Pete, but he wants what Big Boy has.

Critics Consensus

The actors fail to live up to the archetypes they portray.

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Richard Schickel

TIME Magazine

Mammas, don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys. And while you're at it, don't let them grow up to make movies about cowboys either.

Apr 1, 2019

Full Review

Globe and Mail

Rated: 2/4

Apr 25, 2003

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Marjorie Baumgarten

Austin Chronicle

Rated: 3.5/5

Jan 1, 2000

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Michael Dequina

TheMovieReport.com

For a film about grand passions, there is no fire to this film.

Rated: 1.5/4

May 3, 2009

Full Review

Jim Lane

Sacramento News & Review

Rated: 3/5

Aug 7, 2008

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Cole Smithey

ColeSmithey.com

Rated: 3/5

Apr 6, 2008

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Steve D

Paper thin in every respect.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/12/23

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Audience Member

J'ai beaucoup aimé ce drame occidental on est souvent inquiets pour les personnages très bien interprétés par l'ensemble du castings on se doute de la fin dUn mais on est surpris quand ça arrive,les paysages sont magnifiques et les bagarres très réalistes

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/24/23

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Audience Member

Narrated by Billy Crudup one of those actors whose name you may remember seeing in a list of performers but most would find difficulty in identifying. I think it would be safe to say he has a love/hate relationship with Hollywood--it's where you go to make the movies but you don't want to get drawn in too tight. After all he refused the lead in Titanic to play a movie few have probably seen. Ironic that at 6 1 Cole Hauser who plays Little Boy towers over his brother Big Boy. This movie turns the classic love triangle into a quadrangle as our two principals share an interest in another man's wife. Pete lusts after the unattainable while ignoring the woman who has always truly loved him. Is the baby whose name is to be Pete the child of his seed? Just asking.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/05/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I like this movie. It starts of slow but the acting from billy crudup and woody harelson are pitch perfect. Its tragic but well done. Only complaint the director could have found someone better than Patricia Arquette. She cute but bland.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

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Audience Member

(** 1/2): [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon13.gif[/img] I liked the cast, but I became less interested with film as it went along. A near-miss.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/18/23

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Audience Member

A miss from the usually stellar Frears. Slow moving and dull. The uninspired acting from everybody but Woody doesn't help.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

Full Review

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Stephen Frears

Director

Woody Harrelson

Big Boy Matson

Billy Crudup

Pete Calder

Patricia Arquette

Mona Birk

Penélope Cruz

Josepha O'Neil

Sam Elliott

Jim Ed Love

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33%

46%

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Synopsis

Cowboy pals Pete Calder (Billy Crudup) and Big Boy Matson (Woody Harrelson) come back to the range after fighting in World War II. Pete hopes to return to the simplicity of cattle-herding, but wealthy local rancher Jim Ed Love (Sam Elliott) warns him that the ways of the Old West have vanished. Big Boy boozes, brawls, bets and wins the affections of the town's married temptress, Mona (Patricia Arquette). Down-to-earth Josepha (Penélope Cruz) yearns for Pete, but he wants what Big Boy has.

Director: Stephen Frears
Producer: Tim Bevan, Barbara De Fina, Eric Fellner, Martin Scorsese
Screenwriter: Max Evans, Walon Green
Distributor: Gramercy Pictures
Production Co: PolyGram Filmed Entertainment
Rating: R
Genre: Western
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 22, 1999, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 8, 2020
Box Office (Gross USA): $163.8K
Runtime: 1h 54m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS, Surround