No Country for Old Men (2007)
Directed by: Ethan and Joel Coen
Cast: Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin, Javier Bardem
Miguel (Nominator)
One can come to expect certain things from a Coen brothers film, most notably a solid ensemble and a story that takes the viewer in directions they don’t always see coming. No Country for Old Men does not stray from this formula. The 2007 film based on the novel by Cormac McCarthy centers around a small group of characters from the south who are jolted out of their humdrum lives and thrust into a darker, greedier world run by some unknown evil.
Llewelyn Moss, played by Josh Brolin, while out patrolling land, stumbles upon the aftermath of a Mexican standoff with trucks, men and even some dogs riddled with bullet holes. Moss realizes that there must be at least one man left standing and goes on the hunt to see if he can find this mystery man to possibly get some answers. Llewelyn finds this man, dead, sitting under a tree several yards away and, after some time, decides to investigate. When he does, Moss finds the score of a lifetime. Next to this dead Mexican is one million dollars in cash and, doing what anyone would do when finding a lifetime of money, he takes it back home to his run-down trailer. This of course starts a game of cat and mouse that even a tough, rugged man like Llewelyn Moss isn’t quite ready for.
The cat in this story is played by the terrific Javier Bardem, who went on to win a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his portrayal of Anton Chigurh in the film. Chigurh is hired by the mob or mob entity to retrieve the missing money and punish whomever was responsible for taking it. It’s easy to see why they chose Chigurh for the job, as he is a ruthlessly silent killer. Bardem plays Chigurh with a strong and silent demeanor and is as scary at times as Anthony Hopkins’ Dr. Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs. Every time Bardem is on screen he captivates the viewer because he is so unpredictable; the only thing you can know for sure is that if a character is in the same scene with Chigurh, they probably won’t be for very long.
What I love about this film is that there are consequences to these character’s actions; when they chose to do something they end up having to pay for it in the end. It’s a story that respects not only the characters but the situations they get themselves into. This is a film that should not be missed, and if you’ve seen it already then it’s time for a second viewing. Words can describe the compelling story and beautiful scenery, but the best thing you can do is watch the movie for yourself and enjoy the tale that the Coen Brothers have weaved for us all. I promise you will not be disappointed. Give it a watch and let us know what you think below or over on our facebook page! Stay Entertained!
