Movie Review: No Country for Old Men (2007)


It’s that Oscar time of year again when compelling movies get released late so they can remain in the heads of the Academy voters easier. The latest up to bat is No Country For Old Men. It’s the highly anticipated film by none other than Joel and Ethan Coen (better known as the Coen brothers).

No Country For Old Men follows in the footsteps of their other critically acclaimed, dark and witty drama Fargo. It features Ed Tom Bell (Tommy Lee Jones), a small town sheriff trying to stop the assured demise of Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin) at the hands of a ruthless hitman Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem). Sounds simple enough – and it is – yet what sets this movie apart from the flock, is the exceptional writing (or should I say adaptation from the Cormac McCarthy novel) and directing. I don’t think there is another screenwriter or director that can touch the Coen brothers when they set out to make a remarkable movie.

From a writing standpoint, they are good at being able to capture the barest of human emotions and present them in the most basic and ofttimes, bewildering ways. In No Country For Old Men, it is very much like a battle between Heaven and Hell, with man caught in the middle. The angel could be construed as Ed Tom Bell. Even though he’s tired and ready for retirement, he displays all the virtues you’d expect a winged messenger of Heaven to possess – patience, understanding, kindness and diligence. While he would certainly love to catch the man responsible for the murder spree, his main focus is to save Llewelyn from his own bravado and get him reunited with his wife Carla Jean (Kelly Macdonald). Llewelyn is the poor mortal caught in the middle of the struggle between good and evil. He’s fully aware that the likelihood of his survival is slim to none, but he simply can’t let go of the satchel of drug money. He is wholly consumed with greed – so much so that instead of seeking help, he figures to face off with the devil himself. But the icing on the cake has to go to the demon, Anton Chigurh. Ruthless and evil, this man’s sole purpose is to kill, sometimes for no more of a reason than the outcome of a coin toss. He systematically hunts down Llewelyn and will stop at nothing until gets what he is after (very Terminator like).

From a directing standpoint, the Coen brothers manage to get the very best from each of the actors and actresses working on the project. Josh Brolin, who is enjoying one hell of a resurgence (see American Gangster), is great as the man stuck in a very bad situation. He’s got one hell of a cocky swagger about him and it lends very well to his Texas trailer park character. There isn’t much to say about Tommy Lee Jones. He loves to play the grizzled law-man and once again he nails the performance. He’s undoubtedly one of the better actors of his generation. Even the supporting cast – Woody Harrelson, Kelly Macdonald, Barry Corbin – all add a special touch to round out the eclectic mix of personalities needed to make a good movie great. But once again the prize goes to Javier Bardem as the hitman from Hell. I’ve personally never heard of or seen his work before, so his role was a complete surprise. No emotion, no inflection in his voice, no soul behind his eyes – his depiction of pure evil is wonderfully disturbing, to say the least (I wonder if he got any inspiration from watching the HBO documentary The Iceman: Confessions of a Mafia Hitman). As I watched Anton interact with those around him, I couldn’t help but feel heightened tension since I knew things weren’t going to work out so well for them.

I can honestly say No Country For Old Men is the best movie of 2007 to date and a front runner for the Oscar for Best Picture (and a slew of other categories). The great writing, the great acting and the great directing ensures this. However, to fully appreciate all the intricacies and subtle plot developments, you’ll have to see the movie several times. That’s okay though, a film like this deserves to be seen more than once.

Critical Movie Critic Rating:
5 Star Rating: Fantastic

5

Movie Review: Hitman (2007)
Movie Review: Fred Claus (2007)

The Critical Movie Critics

I'm an old, miserable fart set in his ways. Some of the things that bring a smile to my face are (in no particular order): Teenage back acne, the rain on my face, long walks on the beach and redneck women named Francis. Oh yeah, I like to watch and criticize movies.


'Movie Review: No Country for Old Men (2007)' have 14 comments

  1. The Critical Movie Critics

    November 24, 2007 @ 9:32 am fantasyballer

    I absolutely loved this movie. Tommy Lee Jones was awesome.

    I highly recommend it.

  2. The Critical Movie Critics

    November 24, 2007 @ 12:15 pm Warren

    I agree with the reviewer, this movie should win the Academy Award for best picture.

  3. The Critical Movie Critics

    November 27, 2007 @ 12:08 pm Krel

    I’ve not seen Fargo but if it is half as good as this I’ve got to see it.
    As for this movie, “great writing, great acting and great directing” sums it all up very nicely.

  4. The Critical Movie Critics

    November 28, 2007 @ 1:55 am Fletch

    Didn’t like the ending all that much, but it’s still a good-great film (I’ll take Fargo if I have to choose, though). That said, Anton is one of the best movie characters in some time.

    (what happened to your page header?!? that illustration is…hmmm)

  5. The Critical Movie Critics

    November 28, 2007 @ 5:53 am General Disdain

    (what happened to your page header?!? that illustration is…hmmm)

    Don’t you like it? We’re trying for a new look …

  6. The Critical Movie Critics

    November 28, 2007 @ 3:33 pm blogcabins

    Nope, sorry – I liked your old one. It looked sharp, and was movie-related. The font’s not bad on this one, though…

  7. The Critical Movie Critics

    December 4, 2007 @ 8:08 pm General Disdain

    Nope, sorry – I liked your old one. It looked sharp, and was movie-related. The font’s not bad on this one, though…

    Maybe the logo will grow on you. You can order up some t-shirts and bumper stickers in the near future to help you out. Just kidding of course (unless you really want one!)

  8. The Critical Movie Critics

    December 7, 2007 @ 7:54 pm bloggernoob

    the best movie of the year. maybe the last couple years. great acting and gripping story telling. very engaging. you feel so much for the characters.

  9. The Critical Movie Critics

    January 24, 2008 @ 3:07 am Otto Pozzo

    At last, a film to weed out the movie critics!
    Beautifully shot, superbly directed…..drek.
    A completely plot driven, no character arced, straight to video B-movie that has the critics proclaiming, “I was disappointed in the ending at first, but by the next day I realized how brilliant it was!”
    Please.
    Stick to Blood Simple, fellas, we’ll always love ya.

  10. The Critical Movie Critics

    January 27, 2008 @ 1:01 pm Phntmbanana

    one of my favorite movies of the year and now of all time

  11. The Critical Movie Critics

    May 27, 2009 @ 7:13 pm seo tips

    When a Vietnam veteran discovers two million dollars while wandering through the aftermath of a Texas drug deal gone horribly awry, his decision to abscond with the cash sets off a violent chain reaction in a stripped-down crime drama from Joel and Ethan Coen.

  12. The Critical Movie Critics

    May 27, 2009 @ 7:48 pm General Disdain

    When a Vietnam veteran discovers two million dollars while wandering through the aftermath of a Texas drug deal gone horribly awry, his decision to abscond with the cash sets off a violent chain reaction in a stripped-down crime drama from Joel and Ethan Coen.

    Did ya come up with that all by yourself?

  13. The Critical Movie Critics

    November 7, 2009 @ 8:21 pm Gary

    I think this was a really good movie. Tommy Lee Jones’s acting was really good, but didnt like th ending.

  14. The Critical Movie Critics

    February 10, 2010 @ 4:39 am mikan146

    No country for old men is an old movie. I appreciate the story ;line. But the ending lacks quality. I guess I am expecting more from it.

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