The Script is what holds it together

Rating: 10/10 (7 December 2019)

This is one of the greatest films ever made. And I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say that.
Think of this as a Western for people who don't like Westerns. I see it more like an action, an adventure, a thriller, a comedy, a romance and a drama all rolled into one.
What holds it all together is the fantastic script. The way that it creates tension whilst maintaining a jovial tone is something to be admired. The chemistry between the two leads, enhanced by the fantastic performances of Newman and Redford, is like nothing you see in most buddy comedies giving them great banter to work from and a 'show don't tell' way of describing the long history they have shared together. They are robbers trying to fund their hedonistic lifestyle and yet you're still cheering them on! The way that the story is structured is also very smart, with the first act not dragging on too long and setting up the environment, the tone and the characters nicely; the second act intensifying their conflict and creating doubt in us, the audience, as to whether or not they will succeed in what they do; and the third act giving us a showdown like no other.
Top that off with great cinematography, fantastic music (and not just the memorable and catchy 'Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head') and editing that is not too fast and not too slow and this is a now fifty years old classic that has aged like very fine wine.
Give it a watch.