No Country for Old Men (2007)
US 122m, Colour
Directors: Joel & Ethan Coen; Cast: Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin
Set in 1980s, No Country for Old Men is a crime thriller adapted from Cormac McCarthy’s 2005 novel of the same name. After accidentally discovering the scene of a drug deal gone wrong while on a hunting trip near the US/Mexico border, a Vietnam War veteran attempts to walk away with over two million dollars in drug money, only to be followed by a sociopathic hired killer and an aging local sheriff. From the finding of a satchel full of cash to the contemplation of murder based on a simple toss of a coin, themes of chance, opportunity and circumstance dominate this film. Underlying the story, as typified by Javier Bardem’s most disturbing hitman character, is old Sheriff Bell’s bewilderment at the ever-increasing level of violence which he is ineffective to combat or even understand (Klaus Ming July 2011).
5 comments on “No Country for Old Men (2007)”
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I’ve got to watch this one again. I liked it ok but didn’t love it like so many seem to. Kind of a downer, although I’m glad Tommy Lee got out of it in one piece.
I didn’t care so much for this movie the first time I watched either. I found the violence a bit much, but better appreciated Tommy Lee Jones’ character the second time around.
It’s pretty much impossible for me to settle on my “favorite” Coen brothers film, since my pick changes just about every day. But “No Country for Old Men” is always a contender. There’s not one single thing about the movie that I don’t love, or that I don’t think is completely and totally brilliant, from Javier Bardem’s stupid hairdo to the Coens’ trademark pitch-black humor to the cinematography. I don’t use the word “perfect” to describe very many films, but I think “No Country” is about as close as it comes to being perfect. Except for “The Man Who Wasn’t There.” And “Blood Simple.” And … OK, I’ll stop now!
I couldn’t agree more. I love almost everything about this movie.
I’ve found that one of the more interesting questions you can ask someone who has seen this is what they think of the ending.
There is a lot of love for this movie! And while i’m pretty sure I get the movie now, I think it comes down to me not being a fan of films with realistic graphic violence. then again, i’m probably thinking about this too hard 😉