NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN

RATING 4.5

(Directors: Ethan Coen & Joel Coen, R, 122 min)

Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin) stumbles onto a scene (literally) and decides to make the most of a bad situation – the bad situation might look like a case full of money, a truck full of drugs, and slew of dead Mexicans on a tract of barren Texas earth. Sheriff Ed Tom Bell (Tommy Lee Jones) has seen a lot in his day but it is hard to think the capacity for evil has matched the current events he is investigating.

Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem) is in town doing a little cleaning up for some powerful folks behind the mess; his methods are a bit twisted but very effective. Carson Wells (Woody Harrelson) is called in for an assist but that is really overkill in Chigurh’s mind. Llewelyn assess the situation pretty accurately and makes arrangements to keep his wife, Carla Jean (Kelly Macdonald) safe, but he might have made a miscalculation on the talent of his pursuer. Ed Tom and his deputy, Wendell (Garret Dillahunt) are following the mess of bodies, trying to provide some help for Llewelyn.

Wow, the Coen brothers are back with a vengeance – this is an interesting tale, exceptionally told. Tommy Lee Jones is the sheriff, his capacity for delivering dialogue that only a crusty old Texas lawman could get away with makes his performance captivating. Javier Bardem is so menacing – from the bad hair to the scary eyes you know this guy isn’t right and your chances of walking away from any encounter with him are less than the odds of coin toss. Josh Brolin gets to hang with the big boys and he does a masterful job – there is more depth and determination than what he has previously shown onscreen (this is a pivotal year for him). The supporting characters fill in this rich story.

This is a violent movie and it has some popcorn throwing moments that are doubly good because they are completely predictable and when they happen it still jars you from your seat – that’s intense filmmaking. Set it in the barren isolation of south Texas with some quirky minor characters and you have the makings of a classic. There is a great commentary on the nature of good and evil in mankind and it never comes across as anything more than the natural conversation to be had when looking at the news today. The ending of the film is either going to piss you off, leave you confused, or delight you – we were delighted. If you are a fan of the very talented Coen brothers, you won’t be disappointed in this movie.

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Movie Chick Leigh Ann:
"No Country for Old Men, but definitely a film for them – 4.5"


Movie Chick Cherryl:
"The tension of being around a psycho-killer like Anton keeps you on the edge of your seat, with the much-needed relief coming in the brand of humor that only the Coen brothers can deliver – 4.5"