Nappaland's MovieBlog

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NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN (R)

Plot Summary: An innocent man comes across a bloody crime scene in the open Texas countryside where he finds a huge stash of cash. Brutality and chaos ensue.

Reason for the Rating: Strong graphic violence and some language.

Over the past few years, I've become a bit of a Coen Brothers admirer. I realize I’m a little delayed in my appreciation for their films, since Joel and Ethan Coen have been writing and directing movies for over 20 years now, but having recently logged my share of hours with the DVD player, I’ve finally grown to appreciate the varied and solid collection of this movie-making duo. With films ranging from Fargo to The Big Lebowski to O Brother, Where Art Thou?, the Coens have impressed me time after time. And after seeing their latest film, No Country For Old Men, I have to say I’m officially a genuine fan.

No Country For Old Men revolves around a drug deal gone wrong and the psychopathic murderer who will do anything to recover the deal’s missing cash. The reason this cash—over $2 million—is missing is because a small-town Texan named Llewelyn Moss stumbled upon the crime scene. He discovered the money after doing a little private investigation. Llewelyn - played with dry, stubborn precision by Josh Brolin - is a seemingly simple man, but when he decides to keep the money for himself, his life becomes everything but simple. Luckily, he’s smarter than the average man-who-decides-to-steal-money-in-what-is-clearly-a-dangerous-and-deadly-situation, and though he finds himself stalked by a bloodthirsty madman, he handles himself surprisingly well.

This is where the movie finds its suspense—in the game of cat and mouse that develops between Llewelyn and his crazy stalker, Anton Chigurh (played by Javier Bardem, in the performance of a lifetime). Anton is a unique villain, so crazy that he’s almost sane. He tracks down or runs over anyone who stands in his way with ruthless precision, but Llewelyn proves to be the type of wildcard match for Anton that makes the story worth telling. Ever on the border of this drama is local Sheriff Ed Tom Bell (in another great performance by Tommy Lee Jones). As Bell makes discovery after discovery in this case, he begins to face more than just the facts at hand. What seems to be always happening one step ahead of him brings to focus some tough realities about life and ultimate death. In a way, his story is the one that matters, and that’s what makes this film a winner. In the midst of so much gripping suspense is a simple story about a man. It’s a story that could easily be missed or ignored, but the beauty of this movie is that it does not ignore the sheriff’s story, and that’s amazing.

Before I get too far into my rave review of this film, though, let me make one thing clear: This is no movie for young kids, and I don’t simply mean that as a play on words. It’s extremely violent, it does not clearly stress a particular moral message, and it doesn’t try to sugarcoat human nature. Simply put, it’s a grownup film. That being said, though, violence is really the only outright offensive aspect of this film. As for sexual content or graphic profanity, it’s pretty tame. So, if you’re an adult who doesn’t mind violence, don’t be scared off. This is a movie that’s worth watching.

I think perhaps my favorite part about this film is it’s subtle depth. It doesn’t depict much more than the plot itself and the way in which the story moves along, but that’s enough. It’s not showy, and it’s not preachy. Yet, somehow in the midst of a violent crime spree and the simple people who live their lives in and around it, the film makes some poignant points about living, dying, and what we do with those certainties. In the context of one very ugly reality, this movie turns out to be beautiful. It’s not an obvious beauty, but that’s what makes it all the more beautiful. Even the title, No Country For Old Men, subtly speaks to the movie’s theme.

Add to this perfectly woven together subtext superb acting, detailed directing, and exquisite cinematography, and you’ve got one excellent film. I absolutely loved it. And that’s why I’m now a certified Coen Brothers fan.

MOVIEBLOG RECOMMENDS:

Leave the kids at home and go see this film. It’s definitely worthwhile…but be prepared for some graphic violence.

AFTER THE SHOW: 

• If you, like Llewelyn, had come across the original crime scene—with the one lone survivor and the suitcase full of money—what would you have done? What do you think would be the most Christ-like thing to do?

• Which character do you admire most in the film? Why?

• What does this film have to say about death? What does the Bible have to say about death, and how does this apply to the film? To your life?

AH

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