The Newton Boys (1998)

In the tradition of such as the James, Daltons, and Doolins of the previous century, the Newton Brothers who hailed from Uvalde, Texas were more in that tradition as they robbed banks and such throughout the middle part of the USA in the post World War I years. The Newtons are played by Matthew McConaughey, Skeet Ulrich, Ethan Hawke, and Vincent D'Onofrio. Watching them on the screen I kept thinking of that theme from the Dukes Of Hazard, "just some good old boys, meaning no harm".Especially McConaughey who is the leader and brains of the outfit. He just oozes country boy charm. It serves him in very good stead when the Newtons are standing before the bar of justice. It also serves him well in courting Julianna Margulies who in that other country tradition stands by her man though she has to do some thinking on it.Like the other family outlaw gangs of the west, the Newtons had their associates, though for them none like Bob Ford. Like the James Brothers they tried to switch to trains. It was that switch to trains that led to their downfall and a close call for one of the brothers. For the Newtons that train robbery was the equivalent of what happened to the James gang after the Northfield, Minnesota bank job. One of them nearly doesn't make it.No one was ever killed during a Newton caper a fact that stood them in good stead at trial. The sentencing hearing with McConaughey is also outstanding.I liked Vincent D'Onofio who is the most rebellious of the brothers. He'd be going the outlaw way even without family support.The Newton Boys does very well in depicting post World War I in rural America. American agriculture after the boom of World War prices for food abroad and for the troops never shared in the Roaring Twenties boom for the city folk. This film depicts that fact very well.The four players who depict the Newtons and the rest of the cast are set perfectly in their roles. One thing about the Newtons I have to say is that the film is done with style in the way they did their crimes.

Fans of the Director will probably be disappointed in this rather straight telling of the Real-Life, dirt poor Bank Robbers. There is a colorful often made story of Anti-Heroes waiting to be told here, but for some reason, while engaging and fun this Movie kind of disappoints and at the same time is a somewhat amusing, if not a terribly interesting misfire.Here the talented and usually off-kilter Director has been restrained by the conventions of the Genre. It is all handled with taste and is a tactful representation of likable Criminals who never killed anybody, but they did rob 80 banks. That in itself is a feat worthy of any Comic Book Character.There is a standout cast and the Movie looks great. But in the end it kind of loses momentum, but is never completely unworthy of the gist it created. Not a bad diversion and is Worth a Watch as a rather lightweight entertainment that will let down more viewers than it captures. A bit different and deserves more credit than criticism.

as a western movie fan i have been somewhat disappointed in the low numbers of western films made from the 90's to '06- and surprisingly i just seen "The Newton Boys" for the first time while channel hopping a couple of months ago on HBO- and after seeing the movie i immediately logged onto IMDb.com to get the low- and i just wanted to say the movie in every way is splendid and entertaining throughout. there is comedy touches blazing side by side with drama- and the best part it is based on a true story. and when the movie ends DO NOT TURN THE CHANNEL- the extra/ending credits will fulfill any "junkies" need for a fix as they have interviews with the real newtons- robbers/criminals yes but the movie is done in such a way that you never have any hatred towards them- one hell of a thumbs up for Linklater- one very smooth job- and while i watched the movie 3 times i didn't know it was D Yoakum playing the part of Glass until i read the IMDb reviews and I'm also a yoakum fan as well- so my hats off to the D for one fine acting performance and to all the cast as this is one western that has no boring moments- i just wish we could be rewarded with a movie with this much satisfaction on a monthly basis------Tom

This is the story of the most successful bank robbers in the United States.It is well acted and the violence is not over the top.Slight spoiler: They never killed anyone during the course of robbing many banks.Watching this movie is just plain fun and worth the time. Sometimes we root for the bad guys and this is one of those times.One of the neatest things in this movie comes at the end. If you are the type of person that shuts it off as soon as the credits start to roll, don't do it this time!!!