Episode 042: The Hi-Lo Country (1998)

Stephen Frears’ noir western melodrama came and went without making any significant impact in 1998 and remains unavailable on any streaming source as of this recording. We think it’s time this film and it’s journeyman director got some renewed attention.

Directed by Stephen Frears. Written by Walon Green. Produced by Martin Scorsese. Starring Billy Crudup, Woody Harrelson, Patricia Arquette, Penelope Cruz, Sam Elliott, Cole Hauser, John Diehl, Darren E. Burrows, Sandy Baron & Katy Jurado.

How is the world wrong about this movie?

From Andras: At the time it came out, the world ignored The Hi-Lo Country, and lack of availability has kept it obscure to this day, but this film and its soulful performances by so many great stars of the 90’s thoughtfully directed by Stephen Frears harkens back to films like “Giant” and “East of Eden”, as well as Frears’ own filmography which we explore in this episode.