The Hi-Lo Country

The Hi-Lo Country

Company type	Film
Industry	Motion picture
Founded	1998
Founder	Stephen Frears (director)
Products	Western film

The Hi-Lo Country is a 1998 Western motion picture helmed by director Stephen Frears. The cast includes Billy Crudup, Penélope Cruz, Woody Harrelson, Cole Hauser, Sam Elliott, and Patricia Arquette. Set against the backdrop of post-World War II New Mexico, the film adapts the Western novel authored by Max Evans.

Plot

The narrative opens with Pete Calder contemplating taking a life, reflecting on the circumstances that have led him to this moment.

Raised in the Hi-Lo region of New Mexico, Pete forms a close friendship with cowboy Big Boy Matson. Both enlist to serve in World War II. After an early return, Pete refuses an offer from the corporate cattle magnate Jim Ed Love and begins developing feelings for Mona Birk, who is married to Jim Ed’s foreman, Les Birk, while also maintaining a relationship with local woman Josepha O'Neil.

When Big Boy comes back from the war, he finds much of the community employed by Jim Ed. Holding fast to traditional cowboy values, Big Boy and Pete join forces with rancher Hoover Young to raise cattle using old-fashioned methods. Big Boy rejects Jim Ed’s attempts to buy him out, and tensions escalate as he embarks on an affair with Mona. Out of loyalty to Big Boy, Pete suppresses his own feelings for Mona and commits himself to Josepha.

Pete’s growing fixation on Mona causes strain in his relationship with Josepha, who confronts him about his feelings. Pete admits his jealousy over Big Boy’s involvement with Mona. During a town dance, Les attempts to shoot Big Boy but is thwarted and subsequently beaten by onlookers. Mona publicly declares her support for Big Boy.

That evening, after consulting a Mexican witch named Meesa, Pete secretly sleeps with Mona while Big Boy is intoxicated. Josepha urges Pete to confess to Big Boy before she does. Ultimately, following a violent altercation, Big Boy’s younger brother Little Boy impulsively kills him.

At Big Boy’s funeral, Pete vows to Little Boy that he will safeguard his brother’s honor but cautions against spreading falsehoods. He departs with Mona, who reveals she is pregnant and admits she told Big Boy about her encounter with Pete. They part ways as Pete plans to start anew in California, hinting at a possible reunion with Josepha.

Cast

• Woody Harrelson as Big Boy Matson
• Billy Crudup as Pete Calder
• Patricia Arquette as Mona Birk
• Cole Hauser as Little Boy Matson
• Penélope Cruz as Josepha O'Neil
• Darren Burrows as Billy Harte
• Jacob Vargas as Delfino Mondragon
• James Gammon as Hoover Young
• Lane Smith as Steve Shaw
• Katy Jurado as Meesa
• Sam Elliott as Jim Ed Love
• John Diehl as Les Birk
• Enrique Castillo as Levi Gomez
• Rosaleen Linehan as Mrs. Matson

Additional cameos include musician Rose Maddox portraying Big Boy's Grandmother, rodeo announcer Bob Tallman appearing as himself, and performances by the band featuring Chris O'Connell, Leon Rausch, Connie Smith, Marty Stuart, and Don Walser.

Reception

Critics and film festivals alike acknowledged the movie as a definitive representation of the classic Western genre. Bob Graham from the San Francisco Chronicle commended its genuine Western atmosphere—highlighting elements such as the saloon, dance hall, rodeo, and cattle drive—and noted the creative integration of the poker game "Hi-Lo" as a thematic device.

Stephen Holden of The New York Times characterized it as an epic fusion reminiscent of Red River and The Last Picture Show.

The soundtrack, crafted by composer Carter Burwell, features Western swing standards from artists including Floyd Tillman, Vaughn Monroe, and Hank Williams. The musical contributions by performers like Don Walser and Leon Rausch were particularly well received.

Awards

• Recipient of the Silver Bear for Best Director (Stephen Frears) at the 49th Berlin International Film Festival
• Contender for the Golden Bear Award at the Berlin International Film Festival
• ALMA Awards nominee for Best Actress (Penélope Cruz)
• ALMA Awards nominee for Best Actress (Katy Jurado)
• ALMA Awards nominee for Best Supporting Actor (Enrique Castillo)
• Honored with Best Breakthrough Performance (Billy Crudup) by the National Board of Review
• Awarded the Bronze Wrangler for Best Motion Picture at the Western Heritage Awards
• Winner of Best Screenplay – Drama (Walon Green) from the Western Writers of America

Home media

The film was reissued on DVD by Shout! Factory on December 18, 2012.