No Country For Old Men Film Movie Review

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20/20 Filmsight - December 2007

No Country For Old Men

December 10th 2007 22:38

The Coen Bros' latest effort is No Country For Old Men, a thrilling return to grace, a faithful adaptation of the novel by famed American novelist, Cormac McCarthy, and, most of all, a damn good movie.

The opening scenes of the movie remind us of John Ford's movies, with the awe-inspiring backdrops, the incredibly barren landscape of the Texan foothills. This is a place where vultures are kings, where the damp smell of death is quickly sucked away by the dry desert air.

The movie bobs erratically around three characters, played by Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin and Javier Bardem, an incredible mix of powerful stars, kept tight to their roles by the Coen's fabulous camera. From the New York Times:

"“No Country for Old Men” is purgatory for the squeamish and the easily spooked. For formalists — those moviegoers sent into raptures by tight editing, nimble camera work and faultless sound design — it’s pure heaven."

Jones plays a near-retirement sheriff of a small town, weary of the world that he's supposed to take charge of. Mexicans with automatic weapons, bringing guns and money into his town? How's he supposed to deal with it? With a sigh, a rub of the eye, and a little Texan drawl:

Deputy: It's a mess, a'int it?
Sheriff: (sigh) If it a'int, it'll do until the mess gets here...

Brolin used to be one of the Goonies, but he's all grown up now. He's a welder that goes out hunting one day and finds a suitcase full of drug money, knowing full well that the thunder and the lightning will chase him across the state. He makes a run for it, only to be chased by Bardem, who plays a calm, sinister psychopath with a bloodlust that'd drive a starved wolf mad.

Bardem is a force to behold... with pale, morbid skin and a bizarre, disarming haircut, he is not the only danger in the Texas desert, but one of the more sinister terrors. He reminds me of 'evil that walks in the desert' as dreamt by Charles Bronson in Leone's Once Upon a Time in the West, walking towards his victims, never taking his eyes off the prize.

These three characters chase after each other, rarely appearing in the same frame as each other, all sniffing at trails. There's 40 minutes of high-wire tension in the middle of the film, with each scene beautifully carved out of smooth hickory; wooden, sandy tones marked angrily with blood, tinged with green to insinuate the idea of nausea.

Blood - there's a lot of killing in this movie. The Coens are well-known for their morbid humour, and they're at their best when people start dying. No Country For Old Men is the medal winner in this category, forcing us to laugh out of discomfort, creating a sense of unease with how trivial life is.

Is it really 'No Country For Old Men'? Well, the old men have lost their place, but the movie makes it seem like no place for any man... lately, Texas has been represented by George W. Bush and his gang of shrieking crows, but the Coen Bros remind us what it once was: a savage wasteland, where only the strongest could survive. The modern Texan is the descendant of wild cowboys and outlaws - though the world has changed, life in the desert is still as vicious as it ever was.

Two more reviews from fellow Orble reviewers! Bryn from Horrorphile gave it damning praise and JohnDoe gave it his own wildly enthusiastic ravings!

I say: One of the best from the Coen Bros, and a real action movie. One for the thrill-seekers, the thinkers and the aestheticists.

See it for: While it is beautifully shot, the sound production on this film is out of control. All the big men have voices that make an impact, and the silence is carefully orchestrated. Minimal and damn satisfying.

Also, the dialogue in this movie is, typical of a Coen feature, outstanding. Witty, sparse, powerful. It's incredible to see this quality of dialogue in any movie, let alone one as well-made as this one.

*this image is from IMDb

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Posted By: Cibbuano - Category: Americanas

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35 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]

Comment by Tracy

December 10th 2007 22:42

Movies and Life

Hi Cib

I really wanted to see it last night, but have been sick. It sounds like I missed out on a good film.

Great review,

Tracy

PS Not sure about all the bloody bits though...I can be a bit of wimp sometimes...

Comment by Cibbuano

December 10th 2007 22:52

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It's pretty bloody, but I didn't find it gruesome. However, it's not like typical action movies, where people can take a lot of damage... as the characters get roughed up, it takes the juice out of their step.

A great movie, one I'd like to see several times again...

Comment by Tracy

December 10th 2007 22:55

Movies and Life

That's a great description, Cib. I'll definitely be seeing it.

Comment by James Rickard

December 10th 2007 23:40

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Check this out...

Great review for a great film.

Comment by Cibbuano

December 10th 2007 23:50

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thanks james... you've seen it? Some great scenes... I don't want to give any spoilers, but, damn!

Comment by Damo

December 11th 2007 01:39

it is on my 'to pirate' list.

Kidding

Comment by JohnDoe

December 11th 2007 06:01

Film & TV on DVD

Fantastic review Cib, (You bastard now I've gotta make sure my critique reaches the high standards.)

It really was an experience wasn't it, I'm still on a cinematic high from the screening....pondering the deeper meaning and all that crows feet fun.

Comment by Cibbuano

December 11th 2007 21:01

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JD, an explosive return to form, no? I'd like to see it again just to watch the magic.

Waiting for your review!

Comment by Anonymous

December 15th 2007 20:06

A waste of time and $$. No plot...blood just for blood's sake. Very week. Most disappointed in T.L.J's apparent lack of enthusiasm.

Comment by Anonymous

January 1st 2008 09:37

What a shocker! After reading the rave reviews I had high expectations. But, the plot was very weak, and rather than building to an intriguing climax, the end was a total let-down. It was very dissapointing as I was expecting a thrilling end that would justify sitting through all the violenceearlier in the movie.

Comment by Anonymous

January 8th 2008 02:37

Piece OF SHIT film if i had to nominate one shit film of the year this would be it. Start was great, let down by no plot, no character development and no resolution.

Piece of SHIT. I cant believe the author of the review likes dwarf fortress.

Comment by Cibbuano

January 8th 2008 02:40

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are you kidding me? I love Dwarf Fortress.... I just wish I had more time to play it...

Comment by Anonymous

January 20th 2008 04:08

OMG what is with all of these rave reviews. This film is pure shit. Someone needs to call "the emperors new clothes" on the Coen brothers. This is the last time I'll be tricked into watching their nonsense.

Comment by Anonymous

January 21st 2008 00:54

Bad of SHIIIIIIIIIIITE. Tommy Lee Jones doesnt even kill anybody, boring cunt just sits there having breakfast and talking bollocks for 2 hours. WORST FILM EVER

Comment by D.I.C (Died in Cinema)

January 21st 2008 01:36

This film is an absolute sack of SHITE, i cannot belive i spent 2 frikin hours watching this!

"I'd like to see it again just to watch the magic."

What fucking magic? the magical art of mass suicide?
seriously id rather drink cyanide than go through that again.

It took me about 30 mins to grasp back reality.

Oh and for gods sake u know what the last words of the movie were?

"And then i woke up"

Congradufuckinglations - 5 stars.

Comment by Anonymous

January 23rd 2008 15:45

Most UN-satifying movie experience. Have seem something like this done better in Fargo. It leaves a lot of loose ends, does not follow through with the characters (lead character dies unexpectedly with no followup on that). Left a lot of sour taste in the mouth. Most of the time it was slow. And the last hope, the Sherif, quits his job and ends the movie while talking about his dream.... Yawwwn. If the book ends this way then I don't think much of the book either. After investing more than an hour of your life following the characters and not getting any satifactory result is a shame. Definitely nothing to write home about.

Comment by Anonymous

January 24th 2008 17:03

Yep, this movie sucked. I felt so strongly afterwards that I yelled about it for about an hour, but now my feelings are just as apathetic as many of the characters in this gloomy pointless almost-story that was very disappointing. What really got me is the erudite elitism that makes people think that something like this is good. Why? Because you 'get it' and other people don't? Because it is by the Cohen brothers? Because it is new? Nope, been there, done that. Because it is good acting? How hard is it to be expressionless, unemotional, and pathetic? Because it is a picture of the violence and evil in our society? What are they really doing but adding to that very same violence? Stand up, think for yourself, and just admit that it is total crap.

Comment by Anonymous

January 27th 2008 00:25

average movie. crap ending.

strange how all the critics loved it so much - I guess they all have to kiss each others a$$es.

Comment by Anonymous

January 27th 2008 17:42

In my opinion it is a general let down apart from the bloke with the cattle gun who manages to be fairly menacing.
Waste of 2 hours.

Comment by Lukas

February 2nd 2008 14:34

Truly a disappointing film. It was decent film until about 2/3 of the way through. Plus the ending was dragged out so ridiculously long that it amplified the fact that the end is just purely pathetic.
Someone needs to assassinate the Coen brothers.

Comment by Anonymous

February 7th 2008 06:36

I find the above negative reviews amusing. The authors must be conditioned by Hollywood. Maybe they were expecting a Schwarzenegger film. This is a Coen bros film and just knowing that should prepare you for something unusual. Personally I went along the first time prepared to be disappointed having been told by a friend that he found it "too nasty". Perhaps expecting dissapointment but hoping for the best is a good attitude to have before seeing this film.

Personally I found it meditative. This is partly due to the lack of sound track and use of silence. In one scene the killer walks slowly around his victim's house just observing and all you can hear is him calmly breathing.

The killer is almost beyond life and death. He has dispatched so many people to the beyond that he seems curious about how they have lived their lives up to that point. He asks one victim:

"If you have followed a rule all your life and it has led you to this point... of what use was the rule?"

Another reason the film is meditative is the constant tension keeping you on a razor's edge, unable to think.

The attention to detail, great camera work, tight editing and beautiful scenery and lighting also work to lead the viewer into a state of awe. I could barely think during the whole presentation except to acknowledge "Oh my God... this is fantastic!"

Comment by Anonymous

February 26th 2008 23:53

At the end of the film I simply thought "thank god its over" what a load of crap! I agree with the comment about kissing a$$e$. Now we know what a complete load of bollocks the oscars are. (Make that licking arses)

Comment by Anonymous

March 3rd 2008 02:16

This movie was terrible. Do you hear yourselves? "The killer is almost beyond life and death. He has dispatched so many people to the beyond that he seems curious "? Are we praising a sociopathic lunatic here? It was interesting, I'll give you that. About as interesting as mindless and completely pointless violence is. Not to mention the nebulous insertion of sentimental gobblegook from Tommy Lee. The Coens were praised for their direction of the film. Was it that frickin' brilliant to show close-ups of lacerated jugulars or to mix the buzz of flies into the soundtrack? Please spare me. In a world where this movie reigns supreme, I would much rather go and cattlegun myself.

Comment by Morgan Bell

March 10th 2008 13:21

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i just posted a review on this film and thought id browse around and see some other orble reviews and im quite tickled reading these comments at how extreme people who dont like it can be! haha
the people i saw it with were screaming and swearing about what a waste of time they thought it was and still go on about it to this day, im still of mixed mind, but i think the coen brothers are very clever to produce something people feel so passionate about!
fantastic performance by javier bardem, i hope we see alot more of him . . . its strange how attractive he is in real life with a normal haircut, skin colour, posture, and facial expressions! he is a chameleon!
fantastic review, i really enjoyed reading it!

Comment by Cibbuano

March 10th 2008 21:25

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thanks morgan, I think people that are angry at this film were expecting something different, especially from Tommy Lee Jones. I thought it was excellent, all the way through..

Comment by mr_tza

March 13th 2008 00:38

check out my review on this work of art

Comment by sedusa

March 21st 2008 13:01

you know what i think the coen brothers did this just to check how stupid we are (the audience) they did this crap and they know is crap just to see how public will react and start to exalt no coutry for old men didn't deserve oscars i do not think that this random violence which we face in the movie should be awarded and overall the movie was BORING didn't grab my attention at all

Comment by Anonymous

April 4th 2008 19:31

wow. for those looking for plot and story, do not turn to an adaptation of post-modern writing. this movie is pure allegory. beautifully thought out, and beautifully shot.

this movie is about how our society is full of many evils. primarily greed and violence. and if you get too wrapped up in it, at some point it's going to hunt you down and kill you. OR it can wear you down and make you grow "old" as you watch it all go down. if you reach this point, you might as well "put a tourniquet" on it, "retire" from it, and look forward to the better things in life.

If you felt angered by it, you obviously wanted something that doesn't make you think.

Comment by Joanne Fedler

April 27th 2008 23:34

Wow what a mixed bag of reviews. I guess movie taste is just that - some like sushi and some puke at the thought of raw fish.

This was one of the most exquisitely scripted movies I've ever seen. I do love anything in the hands of the Coen Brothers, and the measure of this was how my heart rate was going like crazy all the way through. The scene with the guy in the petrol station was a masterpiece in storytelling, given what the viewer knows about the killer, and how we collaborate in the deadly uncertainty to which the poor old guy behind the counter is oblivious.

Bardem checking his boots for blood... brilliant characterization. The dialogue was poetry.

I understand why so many people hated it - especially the ending. At times, I wasn't sure whether the story knew who it was about, the randomness of who lives and dies is meant to unsettle us. I haven't read the book (I am not a big fan of Cormac McCarthy) but for me Tommy Lee Jones was the moral compass in the story, making observations about what he reads in the paper and how it got peoples' attention that a man ran loose with a dog collar, but the digging of graves did not... his weariness, disbelief, fatigue and general sense of how humanity is failing is what held this together for me.

After I watched the movie A Perfect Storm in which everyone dies, I felt the same way as a lot of people who left comments here feel about this movie 'what's the bloody point?' Tarantino gets away with a lot worse. In fact, I'd love to see Tarantino and the Coen Brothers collaborate on something... I wonder if any of us could stomach that.

Jo

Comment by Cibbuano

April 27th 2008 23:38

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Jo, some good comments. I, too, loved this movie... I'm a big fan of the Coens, especially their obsessive film style. Perfectionists, and it feels like it.

I'm not sure Tarantino and the Coens could work together!

Comment by Anonymous

May 18th 2008 14:39

Definately do not watch this movie, unless you are compiling a list of the worlds shitest film and you are stuck for a number 1. i feel like the makers of this movie owe me 2 hours of my life that has been taken from me whilst watching this absolutely shit house film. i have never rewiewed a movie before, however i felt so ripped off after watching this ablslote piece of shit that i need to tell someone about it.

ahhhhhhhhhh i hate this movie so much!

I would rather kill myself than ever watch this again

Comment by Anonymous

May 24th 2008 14:46

WOW

The movie in my opinion is about lifes choices.
Think of the many times throughout the movie the characters had choices / decisions to make.
1.One of the earlier scenes where Josh brolin is in the desert and he sees a blood trail heading in one direction and a wounded dog heading in another directions.
There was 2 choices = which way does he go ???

2. Sometime later he tracks the wounded money man and finds him sitting under a tree on top of a ridge in the desert . Remember he sits back some distance away for awhile . Thinking i imagine . Does he proceed and find a wounded man ? Does he wait and let the man die ? . Does he just walk away ? Note the symbolism of the 2 Trees on the ridge ?
Again Choices !!

3. Remember Javier Bardom's conversation with the old man in the gas station . We get the feeling he will kill him . He asked the old man to pick heads or tails in a coin toss.
Again choices !!!

4. Remember the phone call between Bardom and Brolin , The killer tries to talk Brolin into giving back the money or suffer the consequences for keeping the money.
Again Choices !!!

Lifes about choices , the ones we make and the consequences that go with those choices.

Thats the message i got from the movie .
Now ,,, Was i right off the mark or what ??
You tell me !

Comment by Anonymous

June 17th 2008 16:23

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZ
Waste of time, and the few precious hours I actually get to watch a movie.
I agree with whoever posted some people just like to be pretentious about films... this one would qualify. Movies are subjective though I suppose.

Comment by Anonymous

June 24th 2008 19:24

I love the Coen Bros but man I hated this movie. It would have been good...well, alright, had there been an actual confrontation ON CAMERA with the main characters. You can't build tension and suspense like that and leave it hanging. I swear, if I had not seen Brolin since the filming, I would have thought that he died before filming the end of the movie and they just had to peice something together. WTF? It's like he walked off the set before they were done and that's the best they could to do to resolve it. The movie sucked bunghole. Not as bad as Napolean Dynamite or House of the Dead, but close.

Comment by Anonymous

June 21st 2009 09:07

Everyone who lkes this film starts off with "i love the coen Brothers" - Why? And Please don't compare masterpieces of Tarrantino to this utter shite. No story, no decent characters, an absolute chore to watch.

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