I’m writing this review in a attempt that it might end up being shorter than my normal reviews, however I think that I might be jumping the gun by saying that. Pretty much, Old Country for Old Men is probably one of the greatest films I’ve ever seen. So I don’t have one bad thing to say about the film. It’s no wonder this film won best picture, direction and adapted screenplay and best supporting actor at this year academy awards.
If you don’t know what No Country for Old Men is about by now than you must be living in a box. However I will try and attempt to give you a description of the story the best I can without ruining anything.
No Country for Old Men is about a man named Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin) a retired welder whom spends his time hunting the rural Texas landscape for deer. While hunting he stumbles across a crime scene where a group of drug dealers have shot and killed each other in one big bloody shootout. Llewelyn finds a truck full of heroin and after exploring the area finds a dead man with a case of money on him. He leaves the drugs behind but makes off with a few guns and the money. On the other side of town one of the worlds most dangerous killers named Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem) is in search of the money and the drugs; and he will kill anyone that crosses his path, even innocent people. His weapon of chose is a modified cattle prod. He quickly learns that Llewelyn has the money and is on the run, trying to keep one step ahead of Anton. Meanwhile, Sherrif Ed Tom Bell (Tommy Lee Jones) is investigating the murders that took place in the country side involving the drug deal. He soon learns about Llewelyn Moss finding the money and that Anton Chigurh is also after Llewelyn Moss. Bell soon becomes entwined in the mess of trying to figure out what’s going on, as the murder and mayhem ensues throughout the story.
The screenplay for No Country for Old Men is outstanding. I honestly don’t have one bad thing to say about it. It is perfectly written and there is a fine balance between the story and the great character development. The script presents us with characters from all different walks of life that we can all relate to in some way. The dialogue is brilliantly written, there are some great memorable lines and monologues in this film, that are filled with both some much emotion and intensity. The script has an overall message about the world will live into today and in the past, and how things do change with the times. It is truly one of the best screenplays ever to be written.
The acting and directing go hand in hand in this film. First off the Coen brothers directing is phenomenal. Not only in the way they directed the cast, but the overall film, from it’s wonderful shots to it’s brilliant scenery and pacing. This is directing at it’s best folks. On the acting side of things, this film is full of wonderful performances. Javier Braden earned that well deserved Oscar her won for his role as Anton Chigurh. His acting was out of this world. Braden was able to capture the emotionless anger of Anton Chigurh and was able to transform his psyche into that of a cold blooded psycho who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. Josh Brolin was also very good in the lead role as Llewelyn Moss. For a guy who never really gets thrusted into great big roles, this is probably the best performance of his career to date and only shows how serious of an actor he really is. He’s no stranger to the horror and sci-fi genre with credits in the likes of Grindhouse, Hollow Man and of course his memorable role in The Goonies. But I expect to see him take on more serious roles such as his role in this film in the future. Tommy Lee Jones was awesome in this film as well. Although his role was just that of a supporting one, I am actually surprised that he was snubbed for an Oscar nod. for best supporting actor as well. Granted he did get an nomination for best actor this year for his role in In the Valley of Elah. But with the powerful monologue he gave in the last scene of this film, I think he deserved a nomination as well. Although the San Diego Film Critics did agree with me and awarded him their award for best supporting actor of this year. The overall supporting cast in this film was also great and it’s one of those films where the cast really helped make the screenplay and the over all production come to life.
In short the production value and everything else about No Country for Old Men is next to near perfect. It’s full of great suspense and drama, and for the horror fans who think that this film might be for them, they are dead wrong. If you feel the need to always have gore involved in your films this movie has plenty of blood and even a bit of gore to go around. If you think Leatherface is the only bad ass killer to come out of Texas your dead wrong. Anton Chigurh makes Leatherface and even Norman Bates look like amateurs. He may not be as scary looking, but he is a lot more brutal.
Overall, I know I said up above I would be short with this review, but there is so much to really talk about when such a rare gem like Old Country for Old Men come around. It’s a movie that really defines the downfall of human society and shows the greed of men. On a side note, this film is a one that you can’t get up from your seat and go to the bathroom without pausing it. There is some much going on from scene to scene that you will in fact miss some very important key moments. One should especially listen deeply to Tommy Lee Jone’s monologue at the end of the film, as it really sums up a lot of things. You may have to go back and watch that particular scene a few times to truly understand it, or like myself go back and watch the film a few times over. It’s one hell of a movie and is without a doubt one of the best films I have ever seen.
The DVD has a few special features which includes The Making of Old Country for Old Men, a feature on working with the Coen Brothers and a diary of a country sheriff. It also includes the film in Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound and French and Spanish subtitles.
– Horror Bob
- Interview with J.R. Bookwalter - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Andrew J. Rausch - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Rick Popko and Dan West - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Director Stevan Mena (Malevolence) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Screenwriter Jeffery Reddick (Day of the Dead 2007) - January 22, 2015
- Teleconference interview with Mick Garris (Masters of Horror) - January 22, 2015
- A Day at the Morgue with Corri English (Unrest) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Writer/Director Nacho Cerda (The Abandoned, Aftermath) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Actress Thora Birch (Dark Corners, The Hole, American Beauty) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Actor Jason Behr, Plus Skinwalkers Press Coverage - January 22, 2015
