The Newton Boys (1998)

62% of critics liked it
(37 reviews)
45% of users liked it
(9,523 ratings)

Richard Linklater's fifth feature is a major departure from his previous work -- his first big-budget picture, it's also the first of his films since his 1987 Super-8 effort "It's Impossible to Learn to Plow by Reading Books" not set during his signature 24-hour time frame, offering instead a… More Richard Linklater's fifth feature is a major departure from his previous work -- his first big-budget picture, it's also the first of his films since his 1987 Super-8 effort "It's Impossible to Learn to Plow by Reading Books" not set during his signature 24-hour time frame, offering instead a ravishing bankrobber period piece buoyed by a gentleness of spirit rare among movies of any genre. Its true story tells of the four Texas-born Newton brothers, who between 1919 and 1924 were the most successful robbers in the U.S.; led by the newly-paroled Willis Newton (Matthew McConaughey, in arguably his strongest performance to date), the gang -- siblings Jess (Ethan Hawke), Joe (Skeet Ulrich) and Dock (Vincent D'Onofrio), as well as nitroglycerin expert Brentwood Glasscock (Dwight Yoakam) -- embarks on a crime spree which spreads across the U.S. and into Canada, heisting bank vaults only at night in order not to hurt or kill anyone. (As Willis figures it, the bankers -- all covered by insurance -- are merely thieves themselves anyway.) A sweetly contemplative film, The Newton Boys is almost an anti-crime caper -- no one gets killed, and the violence which does occasionally erupt is handled with a light comic touch. By no means a master storyteller, Linklater has instead crafted a movie tailored to his own strengths, among them his skillful direction of actors, his flair for period detail and his unerring sense of rhythm; like all of his work, The Newton Boys is also informed by its maker's deep and abiding love for the film medium itself, complete with any number of striking visual and emotional references to classics ranging from Greed to Jules et Jim. While viewers expecting slam-bang action typical of the genre will undoubtedly be disappointed, those seeking a more humane and poetic alternative will be utterly charmed. ~ Jason Ankeny, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 2 hr. 15 min.
Directed By: Richard Linklater
Written By: Richard Linklater, Claude Stanush, Clark Lee Walker
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense

In Theaters: Mar 27, 1998 Wide
On DVD: May 25, 1999
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, Variety
A handsome production that nicely evokes the 1920s and a likeable cast headed by McConaughey can't compensate for a Western-gangster film that's too diffuse and lacks a discernibel POV to be dramatically engaging.
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
Like the Newtons themselves, the film never goes for the kill.
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
Linklater seems to understand the root of McConaughey's appeal stems from his wild side. Casting McConaughey as someone noble and high-minded... is like hiring Madonna to play a housewife.
Chris Grunden, Film Journal International
There's little nuance in the straightforward, chronological way the tale is told--it's hard to point to a scene that's worth discussing after you've left the theatre.
Jeremy Heilman, MovieMartyr.com
Linklater's genuine regard for his characters and fidelity to his setting are his strongest directorial traits.

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Featured Audience Ratings

♥˩ƳИИ &

Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Skeet Ulrich, Ethan Hawke, Gail Cronauer, Vincent D'Onofrio, Jena Karam, Julianna Margulies, Casey McAuliffe, Dwight Yoakam Director: Richard Linklater Summary: Four Texan brothers (Vincent D'Onofrio, Ethan Hawke, Matthew McConaughey and… More
Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Skeet Ulrich, Ethan Hawke, Gail Cronauer, Vincent D'Onofrio, Jena Karam, Julianna Margulies, Casey McAuliffe, Dwight Yoakam Director: Richard Linklater Summary: Four Texan brothers (Vincent D'Onofrio, Ethan Hawke, Matthew McConaughey and Skeet Ulrich) ignite a crime spree in the 1920s, robbing more than 200 banks across the nation -- without ever killing anyone. In a career highlight, the unexpectedly compassionate team pulls off the largest train robbery in U.S. history. Richard Linklater (School of Rock) directs this heist film, based on a true story, that focuses more on characters. My Thoughts: "I hadn't planned on seeing this film, but the cast of the film changed my mind. Great cast of talented actors. They were really good together in this movie. Also it being based on a true story helped reel me in as well. I really enjoyed the movie. I was surprised by the lack of action, considering the film is based on bank robbing. But then again I enjoyed that they focused more on the character's. Gave you a chance to know them and to care for the character's. Might not be to everyone's liking, but it wasn't a waste of my time and I am glad I watched it."
Flutie A

I was pleasantly surprised at how good this movie turned out. To be honest, I'd never heard of it until a friend recommended it (based on a very old trailer on IMDb). It came out during 1998, which saw both "Mask of Zorro" and "Armageddon", so maybe… More
I was pleasantly surprised at how good this movie turned out. To be honest, I'd never heard of it until a friend recommended it (based on a very old trailer on IMDb). It came out during 1998, which saw both "Mask of Zorro" and "Armageddon", so maybe that's one reason for me never hearing about it. I think it was right before Matthew McConnaughey broke onto the scene. Either way, I just plain enjoyed watching it...They show interviews from a couple of the real Newton Boys as the credits roll, which are pretty good. In particular, the interview on Johnny Carson is pretty funny. This makes me even more excited for "Public Enemies", another bank-robbery movie...They even have a minor character in here who supposedly goes on to work with John Dillinger, the guy that movie will be focused on.
Jason S

A good period movie with a really good cast but the movie starts to drag after a while.
Dean M

Between 1919 and 1924, Willis Newton and his three brothers robbed more than 80 banks from Texas to Canada, then capped their career with America's largest train robbery - very interested since <i>Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid</i>. Unfortunately these four actors… More
Between 1919 and 1924, Willis Newton and his three brothers robbed more than 80 banks from Texas to Canada, then capped their career with America's largest train robbery - very interested since <i>Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid</i>. Unfortunately these four actors aren't given more than a shred of depth between them. Fast-forward to the closing credits footage of actual Newtons who are much more captivating than the fictitious younger selves portrayed here.
Megan S

Stopped this movie before it was over.
Jason R

The story is absolutley fantastic, and the acting is surprisingly good considering most of the actors in the film wouldn't have been my first pick to play bank robbers from the 20's. But they work very well together, and it is a lot of fun to watch.
alan j

An ok watch about a true band of brothers back in the 1920's who robbed many banks. The acting is competent, but the story seems to lack any authentic dramatic impact. The most interesting part to me was the epilogue that detailed the fates of each character as well as the… More
An ok watch about a true band of brothers back in the 1920's who robbed many banks. The acting is competent, but the story seems to lack any authentic dramatic impact. The most interesting part to me was the epilogue that detailed the fates of each character as well as the interjecting of interviews with two of the real newton brothers.
Matthew L

For anyone that likes bank robber movies, this one is seldom talked about. The cast is some of the most up and coming with McConaughey leading the bunch and little known Julianne Margulies costarring. The story is true and has tons of action and the story is fast moving and… More
For anyone that likes bank robber movies, this one is seldom talked about. The cast is some of the most up and coming with McConaughey leading the bunch and little known Julianne Margulies costarring. The story is true and has tons of action and the story is fast moving and interesting. What is more interesting is that everything is true and McConaughey nails this performance and so does Ethan Hawke and is an exact match to the main character as seen in the end credits. This is what makes this even better. They show a cameo of the two characters from the movie in real life and it makes it more credible. Awesome movie and great acting!