The Coen brothers (Fargo, The Big Lebowski) have just come out with yet another masterpiece, and just in time for Oscar season.
Their new film, No Country For Old Men (based off of the Cormac McCarthy novel of the same name), revolves around a satchel containing $2 million that is found by an everyman from West Texas, Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin, American Gangster) after a drug deal gone awry.
The problem for Moss is that a psychotic killer, Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem, Collateral), is hunting him. Hot on Chigurh’s heels are both Sheriff Ed Tom Bell (Tommy Lee Jones, In the Valley of Elah) and the mysterious Carson Wells (Woody Harrelson, A Scanner Darkly). Chigurh will kill anyone and everyone to get to the money, while Moss is constantly on the move to escape his follower. Moss has to not only hold on to the money and stay alive, but also has to make sure his innocent wife Carla Jean (Kelly MacDonald, Trainspotting) is safe.
No Country crosses several genres. It is full of drama, suspense, action and even includes a bit of dark comedy.
At the surface, there does not seem to be too much substance to the film, but No Country is a film that will have audiences thinking about it days after they see it. Its messages on good, evil and the average Joe whose morals lie in between the two are brilliantly presented. The script is terrific and almost certainly will be nominated for a Best Adapted Screenplay prize at the Academy Awards.
In fact, it is hard to see this film not garnering a slew of nods come March. The film is beautifully shot, not a surprise, considering it is a Coen brother’s film.
The entire movie is shot in a way that consistently builds suspense and often shows the isolation of each of the characters.
The separate scenes flow well from one to another, and the editing successfully shows passages of time and separates the many characters plotlines.
The music is another crucial and wonderfully done aspect of the film.
Another common trait of a Coen film, the music sets the scene along with the cinematography, editing and lighting.
No Country is a quiet movie most of the time, but several explosions and gunshots that break the silence. The sound in the film clearly intensifies many scenes, and will surely have people on the edge of their seats throughout.
The acting in No Country can be described as pitch perfect.
Brolin, who has risen from obscurity as of late, gives an Oscar turn as Llewelyn, as does Bardem, who gives a haunting performance as the killer Chigurh. In addition, MacDonald’s role as Carla Jean is a small but fantastic part. Her character’s combination of ignorance and purity are perfectly shown by the Scottish-born actress’ performance. Her southwestern accent is amazingly spot-on and only adds to her terrific job.
Tommy Lee Jones is also great, but playing law enforcement comes naturally to the award-winning actor.
Though the ending will leave many scratching their heads, there is nothing to complain about here.
No Country may very well be the best picture of the year to date, and should be seen by anyone and everyone who considers themselves a film aficionado.
