The Coen brothers make their finest thriller since Fargo with a restrained adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's novel. Not that there aren't moments of intense violence, but No Country for Old Men is their quietest, most existential film yet. In this modern-day Western, Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin) is a Vietnam vet who could use a break. One morning while hunting antelope, he spies several trucks surrounded by dead bodies (both human and canine). In examining the site, he finds a case filled with $2 million. Moss takes it with him, tells his wife (Kelly Macdonald) he's going away for awhile, and hits the road until he can determine his next move. On the way from El Paso to Mexico, he discovers he's being followed by ex-special ops agent Chigurh (an eerily calm Javier Bardem). Chigurh's weapon of choice is a cattle gun, and he uses it on everyone who gets in his way--or loses a coin toss (as far as he's concerned, bad luck is grounds for death). Just as Sheriff Bell (Tommy Lee Jones), a World War II vet, is on Moss's trail, Chigurh's former colleague, Wells (Woody Harrelson), is on his. For most of the movie, Moss remains one step ahead of his nemesis. Both men are clever and resourceful--except Moss has a conscience, Chigurh does not (he is, as McCarthy puts it, "a prophet of destruction"). At times, the film plays like an old horror movie, with Chigurh as its lumbering Frankenstein monster. Like the taciturn terminator, No Country for Old Men doesn't move quickly, but the tension never dissipates. This minimalist masterwork represents Joel and Ethan Coen and their entire cast, particularly Brolin and Jones, at the peak of their powers. --Kathleen C. Fennessy
Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating: Summary: Don't believe the hype, this movie sucks Comment: OK, basically this is a bad movie with good actors:
The killer in the movie (the guy you want to get killed at the very end) is an non scary mortal who just kills all the characters in the movie except for the sharif (played by Tommy Lee Jones) with this big gun. And the director makes all the killings look sad. Then to make matter's worst in the end of this movie kind of the good guy's wife is killed right after he had died for basically no reason by the killer. Then the Killer gets into a car, has an accident then pays these kids $100 not to say anything and walks off. This movie sucked and in my opinion was ruined by the killer not dieing. But I guess if you like watching non gory and non action packed sad movies then this is your types of movie Customer Rating: Summary: BAD GUY IS INSANE ! Comment: This is a great movie. Not what I was expecting, but still great. The bad guy is scary as hell! I do not know where they found him, but my god he delivered one of the greatest performances I have ever seen. Just the way he talks to people in the movie gave me the chills. They need to get him cast in a horror movie A.S.A.P. Customer Rating: Summary: Best thing the Coens have EVER done Comment: Wow. Just, . . . wow. I've long been a fan of the Coen Brothers, but this riveting treatment of Cormac McCarthy's novel is the best thing they've ever done. Josh Brolin is absolutely believable as Llewelyn Moss, a West Texas welder and Vietnam vet who's out hunting pronghorn one day and comes across a drug/money exchange gone sour. Lots of dead bodies, lots of vehicles full of shotgun holes, and a briefcase with a couple million dollars in it. He should have walked away and called the police, but he gets stupid and grabs the money, thereby becoming the target of psychopathic killer Anton Chigurh, played with evil intensity by Javier Bardem. Moss is on the run, Sheriff Bell (played perfectly by Tommy Lee Jones) is trying to find him before Chigurh does, and the bodies accumulate. Woody Harrelson is competent as Carson Wells, hired to find the money by the drug people, and Kelly Macdonald, who doesn't get enough screen time, nails the role of Moss's young wife. I know West Texas, and the cinematography is extremely evocative, especially in the early scenes. The accents are perfect -- even Macdonald's, and she's a Scot. I know some people don't like the ending -- or lack of an ending. Did Carla Jean die? Did Moss escape? What happens to Chigurh after the accident? We'll never know. That's just how life is. Customer Rating: Summary: Terrible Comment: A waste of 2 hours no real plot and can't believe it won or was nominated for anything. If someone does like it I am happy for you but I would rather watch paint dry. Customer Rating: Summary: What a Dud Comment: A Review for the Common Movie Buff
The plot goes as follows: A hunter stumbles onto a bunch of dead bodies, finds a pick up truck full of drugs and steals a large sum of cash. Psycho killer escapes from police custody and is after the very same money. He kills people until he finds it.
"No Country For Old Men" is a very slow and very boring film. The plot doesn't tie together till about a half hour through the movie. The film contained many unnecessary scenes that had no bearing on the plot whatsoever. It did however, manage to capture the beauty of Texas. As they say, you will know if you'll like a movie within the first ten minutes of it. Unfortunately for "No Country For Old Men" the first ten minutes seems like ten days. This film is not for everyone, some will love it and some will hate it. Buy/rent at your own risk.
