No Country for Old Men (2007)

Genre

Crime | Drama | Thriller

Directors

Ethan Coen | Joel Coen

Country

USA

Cast

Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Kelly Mcdonald, Woody Harrelson, Garret Dillahunt, Tess Harper, Berry Corbin, Beth Grant, Stephen Root, Gene Jones, Brandon Smith

Plot

After he finds $2 million in the desert where a drug deal has gone wrong, Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin) finds himself on the run. His pursuer is Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem), an unemotional killer with a unique murder weapon at his disposal.

Opinion

No Country for Old Men is a raw, disturbing, yet genial and spectacular film featuring the perfect mix of thrill and excitement, and literally takes your breath away.

Its slow pacing perfectly goes along with the delightful desolation of the desert, partially represented by desolation itself, and partially by the fear of the unknown; the complete absence of a score is just the right choice for the film, because the lack conveys even better the sense of bewilderment.

The Coen brothers' crafted a film that is unlike any film they have ever made, and also it is probably the best film they have ever made - it's hard for me to say it because I deeply love(d) Fargo. The direction is excellent, especially in the intense chase scenes between Chigurh and Moss, where the suspense reaches the highest level. Roger Deakins's photography is outstanding.

However, the performances deserve a special mention. Javier Bardem is the personification of evil: he is spectacular and everytime he come onto screen, I found myself not breathing and anxious. Tommy Lee Jones and Josh Brolin give good performances, although facing the greatness of Bardem they serve more as a supporting cast.

Quotes

Anton Chigurh: Well done! Don't put it in your pocket, sir. Don't put it in your pocket. It's your lucky quarter.

Gas Station Proprietor: Where do you want me to put it?

Anton Chigurh: Anywhere not in your pocket, where it will get mixed in with the others and become just a coin, which it is.