To Have and Have Not

To Have and Have Not is Rio Bravo meets Casablanca. Hawks’ signature hangout vibe with some high stakes thrown in for extra fun. Loved even its less interesting bits ‘cause I knew we’d be circling back to Brennan, Bacall, and Bogie lighting the screen on fire. Warm, sizzling, sensational chemistry. Some of the best dang dialogue you’ve ever heard, too, Faulkner & Hemingway bringing combined grade A game. Hawks knows how to deliver the goods with quirk & verve, and I’m here for it. Slim calling Harry Morgan “Steve” the entire runtime made me smile thinking of Bogdanovich’s homage via Judy & Howard Bannister. Plot’s a distant priority compared to just chillin’ with the gang whose every exchange—verbal or glimpse—soothes the senses. Always got a soft spot for Hawks, this time with a shimmy on top.