Blood, Brutality, and Brilliance - NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN

NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN

2007 - 122 minutes - Crime/Drama

Director: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen 

Art by Zed187 at zed187.deviantart.com 

Country: United States

IMDB: 8.2 

Metacritic: 91
RT: 94%

EpicEnthusiast's Rating: 9/10

Watch this movie if you enjoy:

• great filmmaking 

• suspense

• the Coen brothers 

• Woody Harrelson 

Avoid this movie if you dislike: 

• violence/blood

• potentially disturbing sequences 

• southern accents 

• seriousness 

In the Coen Brothers' 2007 crime saga No Country for Old Men, we follow a west Texan hunter who comes across a drug deal in the form of a blood bath. He discovers the drugs, bodies, and most importantly, millions in cash. When he decides to take that cash, violent outbreaks, relentless pursuits, and abashed accusations unfold.  

Josh Brolin plays the hunter, Llewelyn Moss, whose two primary pursuers are a ruthless killer, Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem) and a local sheriff nearing retirement, Ed Tom Bell. (Tommy Lee Jones) Both eventually investigate the crime scene, and both are interested in finding Moss, just for two very different reasons. As Chigurh's quest turns violent, Bell's case becomes more and more complex. He must battle his innate enforcement of the law with an internal feeling of question regarding his current state of life. He can't explain the killer he is chasing, and always feels a step behind. A cat and mouse chase in expert form, that molds three contrasting characters into one captivating trio. 

As a whole, No Country for Old Men is a marvelous film, but three aspects truly stand out: 

1. Anton Cigurh - In an absolute dynamite role, Javier Bardem depicts one of the most powerful villains ever put on screen. A deep, eerie voice, a dead, blank stare, and a trembling mystique make for a totally frightening killer. He flips a coin to decide life and death. He sheds blood without any thought. He uses weapons that are both unorthodox, and vicious. His confrontations are chilling, and his counterparts are always seeping with fear. A well deserved Oscar win from Bardem. 

2. The script - As the Coen brothers often do, they wrote the screenplay together, along with novelist Cormac McCarthy. The words they use often symbolize something greater; They force you to think about what you've heard. The dialogue is sharp, intelligent, and fitting to the Texan land. The characters speak in a way that is both natural and enthralling. It is a rare film in that it features no music. There is no soundtrack to couple intense scenes, or move the story along. That is all up to the characters. Their interactions make the movie and demand investment from the viewer. 

3. The atmosphere - Real life sets often make a big difference in films. No Country for Old Men is no exception. Filmed near location in Sante Fe, New Mexico, the overall vibe from the movie is rural and lonely. The area is not only scenic, but also crucial to the plot. A story of this nature couldn't possibly take place in a city, and the atmosphere plays a huge role in its quality.

Tommy Lee Jones as Ed Tom Bell

Josh Brolin as Llewelyn Moss

At times, No Country for Old Men is downright masterful. Extremely well made, suspenseful and unique in its craft. If you recognize incredible filmmaking or enjoy crime stories or westerns, it's the perfect film for you. A great cast (including a supporting role from Woody Harrelson) telling a great story. Not to be missed. 

-EE