Huge expectations left unfulfilled

Rating: Null/10 (19 November 2007)

I am a huge Coen brothers fan, but have been disappointed in their most recent efforts. While NCFOM is a lot better than THE MAN WHO WASN'T THERE, INTOLERABLE CRUELTY and LADYKILLERS (not hard at all), this is not a great film.
**** POSSIBLE SPOILER ****
For 75% of it, you think you're watching a masterpiece. You forgive all the little things because the whole is so satisfying. Knockout performances from Brolin, Bardem, and Woody Harrelson. But, like the book, once Moss dies, the story limps to the end. The Coen's were very true to the book. Maybe too much so in some places and not others. I think Moss's back-story got lost and added to an underdeveloped hero (although, like I said, Brolin is awesome). Bardem gets the role of a lifetime. The best scene in the film might have been with Bardem and the Gas Station Attendant. Genius.
But Once Brolin's character is gone (very unsatisfying death by the way - not seeing your hero die?) The film becomes Tommy Lee Jone's film and it just dies. The life goes out. Jones is his usual self, although you got the sense this wasn't hard for him to do.
The film's cinematography is excellent. The acting is great (except for Kelly McDonald's Mom). The lack of music was genius.
But as far as "best Film of 2007"... Not even close. EASTERN PROMISES wins that one.