High Life (film)
Encyclopedia
High Life is a 2009 Canadian film based on the stage play by Lee MacDougall, written by Lee MacDougall and directed by Gary Yates
. Starring Timothy Olyphant
, Stephen Eric McIntyre, Joe Anderson and Rossif Sutherland
, High Life is a comedic heist movie from the flip-side of the 80’s consumer dream.
, High Life is a story of kinship, loyalty, and honour amongst thieves. In a busy downtown hospital, a visit from his former socio-pathic cellmate Bug (Stephen Eric McIntyre) has just gotten Dick (Timothy Olyphant) fired from his job as a hospital janitor. Unemployed and in need of fast cash Dick gets the idea to rob one of the day’s brand new ATM's, to “buy a little self-respect”, announces Dick to Bug and the team. Enter the charismatic, criminally-minded Donnie, (Joe Anderson) and the front-man, the sexy, sleepy-eyed charmer Billy, (Rossif Sutherland) and all of the pieces are in place. “It’s a precision job,” says Dick the night before the heist: “No violence.” You think?
Naturally things don’t go according to plan and the unfolding catalogue of disasters that confronts Dick is enough to test any friend’s loyalties as the lovable losers bungle their way toward a pipe-dream of quick riches. Alternately tragic and hysterical, High Life’s perfect plan ends up anything but when one of the bank’s employees double-crosses them all. Set against the nostalgic back-beat of Three Dog Night
, Creedence Clearwater Revival
and a raft of April Wine
, High Life’s highwire tension unfolds with calamitous results.
Gary Yates
For the director, see Gary Yates Gary Yates was an English cricketer, a capable off-spinner who played for Lancashire from 1989 to 2004. He often seemed to be underrated as a 4 day player and most of his notable appearances came in the One-Day team. He subsequently became 2nd team captain and coach...
. Starring Timothy Olyphant
Timothy Olyphant
Timothy David Olyphant is an American actor whose notable roles in television drama series include Deadwood as Seth Bullock, Justified as Raylan Givens, The Office as Danny Cordray, and Damages as Wes Krulik...
, Stephen Eric McIntyre, Joe Anderson and Rossif Sutherland
Rossif Sutherland
Rossif Sutherland is a Canadian actor.Sutherland was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, the son of Canadian actors Donald Sutherland and Francine Racette, brother of actor Angus Sutherland, and half-brother of actor Kiefer Sutherland. He has appeared in films such as Timeline , and Red Doors...
, High Life is a comedic heist movie from the flip-side of the 80’s consumer dream.
Plot
Set in 1983, just after the birth of the Automated Teller MachineAutomated teller machine
An automated teller machine or automatic teller machine, also known as a Cashpoint , cash machine or sometimes a hole in the wall in British English, is a computerised telecommunications device that provides the clients of a financial institution with access to financial transactions in a public...
, High Life is a story of kinship, loyalty, and honour amongst thieves. In a busy downtown hospital, a visit from his former socio-pathic cellmate Bug (Stephen Eric McIntyre) has just gotten Dick (Timothy Olyphant) fired from his job as a hospital janitor. Unemployed and in need of fast cash Dick gets the idea to rob one of the day’s brand new ATM's, to “buy a little self-respect”, announces Dick to Bug and the team. Enter the charismatic, criminally-minded Donnie, (Joe Anderson) and the front-man, the sexy, sleepy-eyed charmer Billy, (Rossif Sutherland) and all of the pieces are in place. “It’s a precision job,” says Dick the night before the heist: “No violence.” You think?
Naturally things don’t go according to plan and the unfolding catalogue of disasters that confronts Dick is enough to test any friend’s loyalties as the lovable losers bungle their way toward a pipe-dream of quick riches. Alternately tragic and hysterical, High Life’s perfect plan ends up anything but when one of the bank’s employees double-crosses them all. Set against the nostalgic back-beat of Three Dog Night
Three Dog Night
Three Dog Night is an American rock band best known for their music from 1968 to 1975. During that time the band charted 21 Billboard top 40 hits in America, three of which reached Number One...
, Creedence Clearwater Revival
Creedence Clearwater Revival
Creedence Clearwater Revival was an American rock band that gained popularity in the late 1960s and early 1970s with a number of successful singles drawn from various albums....
and a raft of April Wine
April Wine
April Wine is a Canadian rock band formed in 1969. According to the band, they chose the name 'April Wine' simply because members thought the two words sounded good together...
, High Life’s highwire tension unfolds with calamitous results.
Cast
- Timothy OlyphantTimothy OlyphantTimothy David Olyphant is an American actor whose notable roles in television drama series include Deadwood as Seth Bullock, Justified as Raylan Givens, The Office as Danny Cordray, and Damages as Wes Krulik...
as Dick - Stephen Eric McIntyre as Bug
- Joe Anderson as Donnie
- Rossif SutherlandRossif SutherlandRossif Sutherland is a Canadian actor.Sutherland was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, the son of Canadian actors Donald Sutherland and Francine Racette, brother of actor Angus Sutherland, and half-brother of actor Kiefer Sutherland. He has appeared in films such as Timeline , and Red Doors...
as Billy