No Country for Old Men, Exceptional.....

Rating: 10/10 (3 July 2008)

No Country For Old Men Review
I have to admit I knew absolutely nothing about this film before watching it, never saw a trailer, or nothing. All I knew is that many people were saying it should be the film of the year and IMDb's 8.6 Rating. Much like "There Will be Blood" I came into the theater with a clean slate not knowing at all what to expect and what the movie was about. When the movie ended all I could do is sit with my mouth agape as a million thoughts and questions ran through my mind. This is an epic movie, a movie which makes you think philosophically and moralistically , makes you appreciate characters, makes you appreciate the art depicted so masterfully in not only the acting, but the cinematography and even lack of musical score and a movie that you will never figure out with just one sitting, its a movie worth watching over and over again. A modern classic.
Genre: Action/Drama
The Good: There are so many things that are not good, but utterly EXCEPTIONAL in this movie. From the acting, which is exceptional by everyone in this movie to, well everything else. Josh Brolin is excellent as the conflicted resourceful protagonist Llewlyn Moss, Tommy Lee Jones as the nostalgic reflective observer sheriff Ed Tom Bell and one of the most haunting performance by Javier Bardem as the destructive personification of death with an airgun, Anton "Sugar" Chigurh. Anton is truly chilling in all his scenes, with a memorable and unique demeanor and appearance as well as philosophy in life. Everyone else in their supporting cast is excellent as well. The cinematography is awesome as well. The lonely Rio Grande Desert landscapes are hauntingly amazing, especially with lack of musical score. The violent scenes and lack thereof also give a unique approach to this movie. The setting of Texas, 1980 is also done perfectly. The unconventional ending is also that was welcomed for me, although to many people it was disappointing, I found it extremely refreshing. The reflective monologues used by the Sheriff to reflect on changing times is also something that for me was almost Shakespearian in nature. Also the questions the movie will leave you asking enhances its overall quality.
The Bad: Nothing, I got confused a few times on some of the roles of the minor characters, but this is a movie I will watch over and over again. Many will be disappointed with the unconventional ending, I loved it. Many will also not like a movie that makes you ask so many questions, to me that enhances the replay value infinitely. Many will also not like at the exclusion of some key and violent scenes, ala "Reservoir Dogs". But to me it makes this film as unique and as refreshing as possible.
The Ugly: Antons overall destructiveness, but being zapped by his powerful airgun through your neck is a terrifying scene in the movie.
Overall, one of the best films I have ever seen. To me this film is more entertaining and as deep as "There Will be Blood". The acting is also comparable, To me they are about equal, as well as cinematography. The one thing that makes this better than "There Will Be Blood" is the entertainment factor. This film is more entertaining in various aspects. A movie that will definitely be in my collection and should be in your too.
Supra Score - 9.7/10