Rating of
4/4
*Sarah* - wrote on 12/29/08
Violence and mayhem ensue after a hunter stumbles upon some dead bodies, a stash of heroin and more than $2 million in cash near the Rio Grande.
I manged to watch this whilst trawling through the internet for films to watch. Luckily I found it! And it's not even released in my country yet. I was not disappointed. No Country for Old Men is one hell of a film, so good I might have to re-rate some other films. For sure an American classic and yes this is a masterpiece. And no American Gangster is not what I first thought it was after watching it. This is the first Cohen brothers film that I've watched. I don't know how I have manged to not watch any of their films but I will now. No Country For Old Men is a character-driven masterpiece. I'm sure I will mention that again in this review.
No Country For Old Men is definatly one of the best of 2007, possibly in my top 5. Not as good as the superb Atonement, but is still sensational. The film's narrative is relativly simple but by the end of the film you come out feeling like you witnessed something more. The film is incredibly stylistic. I mean you find yourself deliving into the scenery because it's just awe-inspiring it truly is. I don't think i've seen such a great film this year since Atonement.
The film plays with your own perception of morality. For instance the tossing of the coin by Bardem's character and Le-Jone's character's perception of morality in this era. The sense that what is real now does not reflect the past is also reflected in the film. Vietnam is often repeated symbolised the "Old Men" in the title. Also symobolising this is "No Country For Old Men." If you see what I mean. Luckily most users on this site, from reading their reviews have picked up on that.
Shot through some humours moments, which is evidently refelcting what would otherwise be in a real-life situation, should not be mistake for "gooy" moments" in the film. As No Country For Old Men is one serious girtty western drama. And for once an American thriller which actaully keeps you thrilled to the very last moment.
The acting in this is something of pure greatness. From Tommy Lee Jone, Josh Brolin, Javier Bardem and Scottish actress Kelly McDonald; No country for Old Men delivers something of pure greatnes, if that's a word, maybe I made it up right there. Javier Bardem, in the first role that I've seen him in, seems to have done his best performance of his career. For sure an Oscar nomination and possibly my vote for winning it. His character's presense and ghost-like ora throughout the film, gives off one chilling performance that I will never forget. I'm still thinking of it now. Josh Broling, who also completes the sensational cast, produces a great performance but is outlclassed by Javier Bardem for me. Tommy Lee Jones is as ever brilliant and will no doubt get an oscar nomination. Also great to see Scot Kelly McDonald complete one great Texan accent. You could hardly regonise her in this.
The cinematogrphy is magnificent. It's the part of rthe film in which you are imeadiatly drawn into. The colours, almost fitting the mood of every scene. The script is expertly crafted to perfecton and will no doubt get an oscar nomination.
What is magnificent about this is that for majority of the film, there isn't much dialogue and much of the character's body language conveys the meaning to you. For instance one scene in the petrol station with Bardem's character and one with Brolin and Bardem's character.
If there's one film that yu see after you watch Atonement....it's this one. Both are just magnificent films. No Country For Old Men goes into American Film history as one of the great films. I'm still in awe of these two great directors. I must watch more of the Cohen's work.
I do't want to say any more about this brilliant piece of filmkaing as I will give bits away...so I will leave you to make your minds up.
Roger Ebert:
"This movie is a masterful evocation of time, place, character, moral choices, immoral certainties, human nature and fate. It is also, in the photography by Roger Deakins, the editing by the Coens and the music by Carter Burwell, startlingly beautiful, stark and lonely. "
*Magnificent Highly recomend*
