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  Synopsis:
No Country For Old Men is set
in 1980's Texas. Llewelyn Moss (Josh
Brolin) is a semi-trashy lowlife who stumbles
upon the aftermath of a drug deal gone wrong.
Picking up two million dollars in a suitcase,
Moss makes a break for it across Texas to
Mexico. Hot on his trail is the
pathological Anton Chigurh, the rightful owner
of the cash. Chigurh has no mercy and no
conscience, stopping at nothing to get his money
back.
The Freak's
Rating: A : Recently
Jen & I met
with two of our friends
Eric &
Leah to go
to see No Country For Old Men. The Coen
brothers have created some of my favorite films,
including The Big Lebowski, Fargo and Raising
Arizona. Javier Bardem had just won an
Oscar for his turn as the evil Anton Chigurh,
the film won the Oscar for Best Picture and I
was extremely pumped up to see it. I had
heard from a few friends and family members that
it was good, but that the ending was one of
audience division...either you would really like
or really dislike it. 9 times out of 10
when someone mentions that to me I know I'll
love it...and I did.
Trying his hardest to
rationalize modern day criminalization of man is
Sheriff Ed Tom Bell (Tommy Lee Jones).
Bell, in his good old boy ways, attempts to
locate Chigurh and help Llewelyn before it is
too late.
Not since
Pulp Fiction's
Samuel L Jackson has a supporting actor been so
deserving an Oscar. Javier Bardem is the
scariest villain in recent memory, making you
quiver in silence in every scene he is in.
For me the scariest villains are those without
remorse and Chigurh is terrifying.
Tommy Lee Jones is as
reliable as ever with his turn as Sheriff Bell
and Josh Brolin (of Goonie's fame) is quickly
turning into a very good actor. Having
just been in
American Gangster, Brolin has promise for a
great dramatic career.
But
the superb acting isn't the only reason why this
film soars to such heights in my eyes.
Playing up the desolation of parts of Texas, the
cinematography is gritty and fantastic.
Scenes of suspense are done exceptionally well.
Leah
mentioned after the movie that the only parts
she enjoyed were the parts at which the film's
suspense slowed. This is the true example
of how the film works. As the audience,
the suspense rarely slows to allow you to catch
your breath. As a cinematographer your
goal should be to have your audience staring in
awe at the shots you take. This film
captured me from opening frame to final shot.
SPOILER ALERT! :
The ending will divide audiences. The
film's title No Country For Old Men is actually
the harsh realization of Tommy Lee Jones'
character, Sheriff Bell. Struggling
throughout the film to accept what a brutal
world he polices, Bell's final moments in the
film show his acceptance in a profound way.
Though I feel the ending was
perfect and couldn't have been better, the film
isn't one for those who like a happy ending to
watch. With an Oscar winning screenplay
adaptation the dialogue is sharp enough to keep
your attention and the shear beauty of the film
carries it to the top of my list. I
honestly can't wait to see it again.
Jennifer M's Rating: A+ :
Loved the movie! Want to see it again very soon. Reading the book
now. Javier and cast are simply outstanding in their roles. Worth all the buzz
in my opinion.
Matt's Rating: C+ :
I saw this in theaters over thanksgiving weekend and I don't know if it was the
triptophan or what but I was dosing off during parts of it.
The serial killer didn't creep me out that much in all honesty, maybe I've seen
too many deaths in my life but I was disappointed by his role.
Also, I hated the ending, I wasn't really paying attention and then all of a
sudden it is over.
I am a huge Coen brothers fan. Fargo and The Big Lebowski are right up there
for me for top movies and this was not what I was expecting at all. I'm glad I
saw it but maybe it is something that needs to be watched again. The academy
seemed to love it so who knows.
Final recommendation: Watch it, but don't go in with high expectations because
it won an academy award for best picture and you should be alright.
Jen's Rating: B :
Great acting, good movie but it was pretty long and there were parts I
got a little bored. Plus it seemed to me there was so much symbolism to figure
out that I would almost have to watch it again.
Eric's Rating: B :
Entertaining and I'd recommend, but In the end it was strictly just the
suspense that I enjoyed about it. It didn't teach me anything or leave me with
any life lesson I could relate to, but it was successful at creepin me out.
Sebastian's Rating: B : Yeah it was good. fantastic acting and i love
the cat and mouse theme. Ending wasnt the best but it did leave me with a
feeling. movie was good but not great, i love it but its not something i could
watch over and over again.
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