The definition of a perfect film.

Rating: 10/10 (5 January 2008)

I haven't seen a film since The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King that can be called, in the truest sense of the word, a masterpiece. No Country for Old Men is exactly that, a masterpiece.
Aside from the aforementioned Lord of the Rings trilogy, there has never been a happier marriage of book to film. If you were looking for someone to translate the already cinematic prose of Cormac McCarthy's brilliant novel, the Coen brothers would be the ones for the job. The first ting I found so particularly striking was the way in which the film made you believe that each of the cast members seem as if they've been steeped for years in McCarthy-ite atmosphere. To make matters even more stunning, through as the high tension throughout the film there is no super-charged cathartic climax. Instead, I find myself feeling that the way in which it ends keeps the story truly tied to the heart of the novel.
The film succeeds on every level and delivers in spades. The directing, acting, script, editing, cinematography, editing, and everything else is beyond superb. What made the film even more unique and terrifying was the complete lack of any music throughout the entirety of it. It's a brilliant and bold move by the Coen brothers that only adds more depth to the tension and terror felt throughout the story. Unlike most recent releases, this film easily finds itself in my top list of favorites with only one viewing. It was just that brilliant. I find myself at a loss for more words to describe the greatness of this film, mostly because I find it incredibly difficult to describe perfection. This film will find its place in American cinema for years to come and will be one of my favorites for a very long time.