Film Review – No Country for Old Men (2007)

With the Academy Awards airing this weekend, let’s take a more-depth look at 2007’s winner for Best Picture, No Country for Old Men!  So that you can watch the movie for yourself on Netflix, the following review will be spoiler free.

Synopsis

No Country for Old Men is directed by the Coen Brothers and stars Josh Brolin, Javier Bardem, and Tommy Lee Jones.

The film follows Llewelyn Moss (Brolin) who uncovers a drug deal gone horribly wrong in the Texas countryside.  After uncovering two million dollars among the dead bodies, the film turns into a game of cat and mouse between Moss and the Anton Chigurh (Bardem), a mysterious killer that determines the fate of his victims with the flip of a coin.  All the while, an older cop, Ed Tom Bell (Jones), attempts to stop the escalating violence that is occurring as a result.

image via YouTube

Background

I’ve wanted to discuss a Coen Brothers’ movie for some time.  They’re easily two of the best directors working today, constantly tackling new genres of film that are equal parts original and intriguing.  Even when their movies don’t necessarily work (like 2016’s Hail Caesar!), there’s still a lot to appreciate inside their films like the typical snappy dialogue, well-written characters, and great pacing.  They’re incredibly original, something that can be very appreciated in an industry that lacks it.

As for No Country for Old Men, it came at just the right time as it followed The Ladykillers.  Many consider that film to be the worst in the Coens filmography.  Based on the popular book by Cormac McCarthy, critics acclaimed that No Country for Old Men was a welcomed return to prominence for the Coens with some even calling it the finest film the duo has ever made.

image via Tribeca Shortlist

Although the film is widely acclaimed as perfection, critics have gotten it wrong before.  So is No Country for Old Men worth all its praise?

Yes, yes it is.

What I Liked

The first discussion piece (and quite possibly the most obvious) is performance of Javier Bardem as Anton Chigurh.  This man was born to play a villain in film.  Bardem has the uncanny ability to lose any type of expression in his facial mannerisms, which plays very well in No Country for Old Men‘s dark story line.  Bardem loses himself in this role, ridding himself of any expression or humanity as he stealthily creeps around with his cattle gun.  Chigurh fully becomes this unstoppable evil and legitimately becomes a psychopath for two hours on screen.  The character’s signature coin flip accounts for one of the creepiest scenes in cinema of recent memory.  Bardem may have created one of the best villains of all-time.

image via YouTube

What I Liked…Continued

However, one of the choices that the Coen Brothers made with this movie is that is has no score.  This choice adds to the bleak nature of the film, giving No Country for Old Men its dark and disturbing feel that lingers on after the end credits hit the screen.  While it doesn’t make for the most enjoyable movie experience, it provides a very lasting effect.

It also allows for tension to overwhelm each scene.  Since there is hardly any ambient noise in the film, you as the viewer are locked into every movement that the characters make, which, in combination with the unemotional, ghostly movements of Javier Bardem, have you on the edge of your seat, praying that Josh Brolin escapes in the nick of time.  Utilizing no score may be the most intelligent decision made in the making of this movie as it perfectly sets up the movie’s scenes.

image via Goodreads

What I Liked…Continued…Continued

Where the Coens truly shine in this film are the themes that they were able to translate from Cormac McCarthy’s book.  The meaning of the title of the movie is seen in Sheriff Bell’s character, who inexplicably becomes the main protagonist.  No Country for Old Men tackles the idea of a person’s place in the world and how one realizes that they cannot keep up in their desired role in society.  Tommy Lee Jones is always one step behind, accenting his frailty.  Although, as humans, we strive to be the best version of ourselves, sometimes that just isn’t enough to accomplish the task.

As mentioned above, the film further explores the idea of escaping impending doom which realistically, isn’t possible.  This concept may sound like a bit of a downer, but it is very well-realized on screen.

image via Plugged In

Conclusion

No Country for Old Men may not be the movie for you if you are looking for a lighthearted, feel-good movie.  However, it’s a loaded, tension filled movie that is masterfully crafted from the Coen Brothers.  It absolutely gets an A+.  If you haven’t seen the movie yet, make it your priority to stream it the next time you’re on Netflix.

image via IMFD

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Thanks for reading!  Have you seen No Country for Old Men?  Comment down below with your thoughts!

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What movie topic should I discuss next?  Whether it be old or new, the choice is up to you!