Nick Cave wrote the score but Taylor Sheridan wrote the script. Brilliant music supporting average screenwriting. It is really that simple. Sheridan’s uncanny ability to write poor roles portrayed by excellent actors is well documented, at least here on Film Clas (see Sicario).

We are privy to the difference between Toby (Pine) and Tanner (Foster) from the first heist as the dichotomous brothers wrangle over methods. Tanner is the rash ex-con and Toby needs the cash. We are peppered with debt relief propaganda as this Robin Hood-esque venture boils down to a middle finger to the banks threatening to foreclose their family’s land. Gosh, so much potential squandered.

I never felt any empathy for either of the brothers. In fact, I disliked both of them.

Marcus Hamilton (Bridges), the tired and reluctantly retiring Texas Ranger who seemingly speaks through a trumpet mute and trades insults with his Mexican/Native American partner (Birmingham), rejuvenates the film in spots. He adds a panache the film grasps for by shear perseverance and nerve.

The Howard Brothers run amuck with poor planning and muddled escape routes to rob only 2.9 napkins out of 5, reminding us that disappointing films are more unfortunate than poor films.