“The Highwaymen” is a Netflix film written by John Fusco and directed by John Lee Hancock. Kevin Costner and Woody Harrelson star as two former Texas Rangers tasked with bringing in the infamous and murderous Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. Kathy Bates plays Governor Miriam Ferguson who reluctantly signs off on the involvement of the two Rangers. She was apparently responsible for dissolving that agency for a time. I first learned that Texas had a female governor in 1934. That was an interesting historical discovery for me.
It’s an interesting film but it could be a little slow. Costner and Harrelson seem to work well together. There is some amazing scenery as they depict the chase. Costner plays legendary Ranger, Frank Hamer. Harrelson plays the seemingly unreliable partner, Maney Gault.
I liked it for the most part, but it had some moments that dragged a bit. It takes a while for the full revelation of Bonnie and Clyde. We see some of their misdeeds from a distance. I was also struck by how many of the public idolized them at that time. Their funerals had attendees well over 10,000.
I liked the film for the most part, but it didn’t quite grip me as much as I hoped.
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