No Country For Old Men
Friday, December 21, 2007


As part of a meet-up group, I saw this film. At the time, I didn't know the film was directed by Ethan Coen and Joel Coen. I've enjoyed their films over the years, like Fargo.

The thing to remember with their films is that there usually isn't a plot. They love excessive violence. And their characters will not be "normal", well adjusted folk. Think of the Big Lebowski and you get my drift.

I thought Jeff Bridges was hot in that film for some reason. Big, chunky and blond - Yeah, that worked.

No Country For Old Men has Tommy Lee Jones as Sheriff Ed Tom Bell (the old man), Javier Bardem as Anton Chigurh (the killer), and Josh Brolin Llewelyn Moss (man on the run). The movie begins with Moss finding drug money and using his limited wits to stay ahead of the killer(s) sent after him.

Now, movie critics or media promoters know that when you say Tommy Lee Jones and the word killer, people are looking for a replay of The Fugitive. Or something along the line of The Executioner's Song.

Well, this is a Coen film, a straight line coherent plot isn't their strong style. Although it's not their fault, this film is based on the book by Cormac McCarthy. You have to let this film ruminate a bit to get it.

The movie was so good at the beginning. Watching it one might assume, due to the way all Hollywood films are made, that the film's true protagonist is Moss or Bell. And one will wait, thinking: Ah man, there's gonna be a terrific, satisfying throw down, or match up, with Moss or Bell with this crazy-insane-weird-logic Chigurh character.

Remember, this is a Coen film, so don't hold your breath for the "good guys". It's not until the next day, do I realize that the film is about Chigurh. It's about a no-holds-barred killer, and the fact that there is nothing that can stop him.

That tidbit made the film's ending frustrating as hell. It dashes your expectations. It lures one in the "good Joe" direction, then bodyslams as it reveals the lie about crime or crime dramas: the murderer often gets away with it.

What am I saying? It's a damn good film, because it is cold like that.

P.S. Javier Bardem is a fine-ass man, but this film doesn't do him any justice. The cameo with Woody Harrelson was cool. The man has such beautiful blue eyes.

Labels: Coen Brothers, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, No Country For Old Men, Tommy Lee Jones

posted by GoldenAh
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