2008 Woodie Awards
'No Country for Old Men' should scare up awards
Tyler Landis, Jambar Contributor
Issue date: 11/29/07 Section: Entertainment
- Page 1 of 1
With "No Country for Old Men" the Coen Brothers have not only made the best film of 2007, but have crafted their best film as a whole, even surpassing their 1996 masterpiece "Fargo." This film may solidify their spot as two of the greatest American directors working today.
The film takes place in Texas in the '80s, where the ranchers of the West have been replaced by drug runners. Good ol' boy Llewelyn Moss, played by Josh Brolin stumbles upon a half dozen bodies and a drug deal gone wrong. He takes the $2 million in cash he finds, and soon he's a hunted man.
Not only do the Mexicans want the money from him, but so does a psychopath named Anton Chigurgh played eerily by Javier Bardem. Chigurgh has his own motives, and will kill anything that comes between him and the money. Moss is savvy and experienced, having served two tours in Vietnam.
The cat and mouse game that takes place between Chigurgh and Moss is brilliant. As soon as Moss stumbled upon the money he knew his life would change that instant, but he didn't know the nature of what was chasing him. Javier Bardem has made his career in foreign and independent films, but this is truly his breakthrough performance.
His character may be the best villain to appear on screen since Anthony Hopkins played Hannibal Lector. Chigurgh's is invincible, psychopathic and relentless.
I haven't even mentioned the performance turned in by the reliable veteran Tommy Lee Jones, who plays Sheriff Ed Tom Bell, a lawman with a family tradition of keeping the peace. Ed Tom is having a hard time fathoming the level of violence that is taking place, and can't understand how it snuck up on him so fast. Always one step behind, Jones graces the screen in each of his scenes, playing a man who was set to retire and feels out of place and out of time in this chaotic and violent world.
"No Country for Old Men" isn't for everyone. The Coen Brothers do many things in this epic crime tale, but one thing they refuse to do is wrap everything up in a pretty bow at the end. Underlining themes of death, redemption and fate enrich the mature story.
The effective desert cinematography and the brilliant use of character sounds in place of a musical score creates tension and suspense. This film was too deep for only one viewing, and I can't wait to pick it apart and analyze more with repeated viewings.
All of the performances turned in are top-notch, but Brolin and Bardem don't miss a note in there respective roles. After seeing the film, it was hard to get Bardem's chilling performance out of my head.
Bardem has the statue in the bag for best supporting actor, and the filmmakers deserve to sweep the Academy Awards this year for best picture, director, editing, adapted screenplay and cinematography.
Though the film season isn't over yet, I can't imagine seeing a better movie the rest of the year. "No Country for Old Men" is as good as it gets.
The film takes place in Texas in the '80s, where the ranchers of the West have been replaced by drug runners. Good ol' boy Llewelyn Moss, played by Josh Brolin stumbles upon a half dozen bodies and a drug deal gone wrong. He takes the $2 million in cash he finds, and soon he's a hunted man.
Not only do the Mexicans want the money from him, but so does a psychopath named Anton Chigurgh played eerily by Javier Bardem. Chigurgh has his own motives, and will kill anything that comes between him and the money. Moss is savvy and experienced, having served two tours in Vietnam.
The cat and mouse game that takes place between Chigurgh and Moss is brilliant. As soon as Moss stumbled upon the money he knew his life would change that instant, but he didn't know the nature of what was chasing him. Javier Bardem has made his career in foreign and independent films, but this is truly his breakthrough performance.
His character may be the best villain to appear on screen since Anthony Hopkins played Hannibal Lector. Chigurgh's is invincible, psychopathic and relentless.
I haven't even mentioned the performance turned in by the reliable veteran Tommy Lee Jones, who plays Sheriff Ed Tom Bell, a lawman with a family tradition of keeping the peace. Ed Tom is having a hard time fathoming the level of violence that is taking place, and can't understand how it snuck up on him so fast. Always one step behind, Jones graces the screen in each of his scenes, playing a man who was set to retire and feels out of place and out of time in this chaotic and violent world.
"No Country for Old Men" isn't for everyone. The Coen Brothers do many things in this epic crime tale, but one thing they refuse to do is wrap everything up in a pretty bow at the end. Underlining themes of death, redemption and fate enrich the mature story.
The effective desert cinematography and the brilliant use of character sounds in place of a musical score creates tension and suspense. This film was too deep for only one viewing, and I can't wait to pick it apart and analyze more with repeated viewings.
All of the performances turned in are top-notch, but Brolin and Bardem don't miss a note in there respective roles. After seeing the film, it was hard to get Bardem's chilling performance out of my head.
Bardem has the statue in the bag for best supporting actor, and the filmmakers deserve to sweep the Academy Awards this year for best picture, director, editing, adapted screenplay and cinematography.
Though the film season isn't over yet, I can't imagine seeing a better movie the rest of the year. "No Country for Old Men" is as good as it gets.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Bill Osment
posted 12/02/07 @ 7:05 PM EST
I am looking for an Oscar moment. If two presenters are on stage for announcing the best supporting actor role the first one says "call it" and then the other announces Bardem. (Continued…)
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