Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, and Tommy Lee Jones star in the tensest, most exciting drama all year; gripping suspense, grim fates and fear drive a simple story.
No Country For Old Men is the Oscar-winning film directed by Joel & Ethan Coen, starring Javier Bardem, Tommy Lee Jones and Josh Brolin. It’s a fairly simple story that revolves around greed and violence. It’s a common enough plot, if described in a bare-bones manner, but it’s the execution that’s remarkable. This is one of the most effective movies in recent years in terms of suspense and most especially, in presenting a terrifying monster you’d be petrified to meet in real life.
The Story
The movie begins with a man, Llewelyn Moss (Brolin), happening upon a bloody deal gone awry while he’s hunting. He finds a dying man and a bundle (two million dollars) in cash. He takes the cash and disappears momentarily back to his trailer and wife (Kelly MacDonald). Ironically, it's his desire to help the dying man (by going back with water) that throws him into the deadly game with dangerous men who want their money back. A long, bloody journey ensues. It’s captivating because Moss isn’t as terrified of his hunter Anton Chigurh (Bardem) as nearly anyone else would be. Sherrif Tom Bell (Tommy Lee Jones) is in the background putting together piecees of the puzzle, with an unhurried wisdom, a little cynicism and ultimately, a good sense of humor.
A Most Terrifying Villian
It’s true that Bardem is incredibly successful in creating one of the cinema’s great villains, due in no small part to a great script. After all, we are introduced to Chigurh’s preferred method of killing fairly early on, certainly before the character speaks for any real length of time. But it’s that first actual conversation at the gas station that sets the stage for a truly chilling character. Seeing a glimpse behind the curtain is what casts this man in such a horrifying light; this character is easily one of the best highlights of the film.
Hold Your Breath
The suspense is also noteworthy; the hunter tracks his prey, and some of the scenes have you holding your breath. There is less talking in this film than usual—it’s all action and tension. As Moss makes his getaway across Texas and down into Mexico, no punches are pulled and everything has a very grim feel to it. The gore is especially well done; despite being gruesome, there is nothing gratuitous about it. It’s not there for the sake of being there—and both Moss and Chigurh have their own run-ins with injuries, though both keep going without blinking an eye.
A Very Rewarding Experience
No Country For Old Men is a great, engaging drama. It has all the best elements that make a story great and worth re-visiting. It takes a simple plot and turns it into a visually compelling work. The viewer is sucked in early on by the fantastic tension each time Moss tries to escape a close run-in with people who want him dead. You'll find yourself wondering why you want him to get away—he is by no means a terribly likable character. And Chigurh’s actions will continually keep you on your toes. It’s gorgeously shot, the pace is nail-biting, and you don’t necessarily know how things are going to turn out. If that’s not a great reason to see a movie, what is?
