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The Newton Boys

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The Newton Boys (1998)

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Reviews Counted:34

Fresh:20

Rotten:14

Average Rating:6.2/10

Runtime: 1 hr 53 mins

Genre: Dramas

Synopsis: Texas filmmaker Richard Linklater's lighthearted Western tells the true story of the Newton brothers, who are regarded as the most successful bank robbers in the history of the United States. The... Texas filmmaker Richard Linklater's lighthearted Western tells the true story of the Newton brothers, who are regarded as the most successful bank robbers in the history of the United States. The time is the early 1920s and the place is Texas. When Willis Newton (Matthew McConaughey) returns from a four-year stint in prison, he quickly falls into a life of bank robbing. Excited by the prospects of stealing even more money, he recruits his three brothers--the charming Jess (Ethan Hawke), the sensitive Joe (Skeet Ulrich), and the brutish Dock (Vincent D'Onofrio)--and ace safecracker Brentwood Glasscock (Dwight Yoakam) to help him ravage the country's banks, as long as no one gets hurt. Along the way, Willis meets and falls in love with Louise Brown (Julianna Margulies), a single mother living in Omaha. Eventually, greed gets the better of the gang and they set their sights on a federal train that is transporting three million dollars in cash and bonds. Unfortunately, the heist goes awry and the boys are threatened with jail time. Linklater's film is an affable and sweet affair, with a goodnatured tone that greatly mimics the Newton brothers themselves. Linklater alumni McConaughey and Hawke headline the all-star cast, while music by the Bad Livers keeps the atmosphere breezy throughout. [More]

Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Skeet Ulrich, Ethan Hawke, Vincent D'Onofrio

Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Skeet Ulrich, Ethan Hawke, Vincent D'Onofrio, Gail Cronauer, Julianna Margulies, Dwight Yoakam, Jena Karam, Casey McAuliffe, Regina Mae Matthews, Charles Gunning, Beckett Gremmels, Lew Temple, Glynn Williams, Charles "Chip" Bray, Chloe Webb, Gary Moody, Robert Iannaccone, Jennifer Miriam, Anne Stedman, Marjorie Carroll, Katie Gratson, Angie Chase, Lynn Mathis, Ed Dollison, Boots Southerland, Bo Hopkins, Tommy Townsend, Mary Love, A.G. Zeke Mills, Abra Moore, Lori Heuring, Joe Stevens, Eddie Matthews, Scott Roland, J.P. Schwan, Rooster McConaughey, Bo Franks, Ali Nazary, Ron de Roxtra, David Jensen, Brad Arrington, Richard A. Jones, Randy Stripling, Harold Suggs, Chamblee Ferguson, F.W. Post, Grant James, Mark Fickert, Kerry Tartack, Luke Askew, Blue McDonnell, Eduardo Cavazos Garza, Ken Farmer, Daniel Tucker Kamin, Ross Sears

Director: Richard Linklater

Director: Richard Linklater
Story: Claude Stanush
Screenwriter: Richard Linklater, Claude Stanush, Clark Lee Walker
Composer: Edward D. Barnes
Producer: Anne Walker-McBay

[See More Credits]

Reviews for The Newton Boys

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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N/R

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Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
01/26/06
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

No review available.

comment Comment
03/20/08
Cole Smithey
Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com

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.

Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com | comment Comment
07/23/06
Emanuel Levy
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

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Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/06/05
Film Threat
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

No review available.

comment Comment
06/09/05
Thomas Delapa
Thomas Delapa
Boulder Weekly

No review available.

comment Comment
05/06/05
Clint Morris
Clint Morris
Film Threat

Like the Newtons themselves, the film never goes for the kill.

Full Review Source: TheMovieReport.com | comment Comment
12/27/04
Michael Dequina
Michael Dequina
TheMovieReport.com

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: rec.arts.movies.reviews | comment Comment
05/14/04
Dragan Antulov
Dragan Antulov
rec.arts.movies.reviews

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.

Full Review Source: Kalamazoo Gazette | comment Comment
07/03/03
James Sanford
James Sanford
Kalamazoo Gazette

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Full Review Source: Palo Alto Weekly | comment Comment
05/14/03
Jeanne Aufmuth
Jeanne Aufmuth
Palo Alto Weekly

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Full Review Source: Film Quips Online | comment Comment
02/08/03
John R. McEwen
John R. McEwen
Film Quips Online

No review available.

comment Comment
12/19/02
Jeffrey Westhoff
Jeffrey Westhoff
Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)

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Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/08/02
Film Threat
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N/R

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Full Review Source: Cincinnati Enquirer | comment Comment
10/15/02
Margaret A. McGurk
Margaret A. McGurk
Cincinnati Enquirer

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.

Full Review Source: Film Journal International | comment Comment
09/09/02
Chris Grunden
Chris Grunden
Film Journal International
N/R

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Full Review Source: Boxoffice Magazine | comment Comment
06/05/02
Boxoffice Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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Full Review Source: Globe and Mail | comment Comment
04/12/02
Globe and Mail
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N/R

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Full Review Source: Boston Phoenix | comment Comment
03/24/02
Boston Phoenix
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Linklater's genuine regard for his characters and fidelity to his setting are his strongest directorial traits.

Full Review Source: MovieMartyr.com | comment Comment
03/05/02
Jeremy Heilman
Jeremy Heilman
MovieMartyr.com
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Deseret News, Salt Lake City | comment Comment
01/01/00
Deseret News, Salt Lake City
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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