Superb and menacing

Rating: Null/10 (19 May 2019)

I only usually write reviews for films that have touched me in some way. This is one of those films..
But what can I say about No Country for Old Men that hasn't already been said?
This is very very excellent movie, that has the right balance of direction where it gains momentum and holds it there. There are no flat spots in this film, not really. I know some reviews have stated the contrary, but no more than any other film.
The characters all have depth here, and they are perfectly cast. Brolin is our protagonist Llewellyn and he's the typical type of rough neck southerner, but a sort of nice guy at the same time. Whilst out shooting he happens upon a drug deal that went wrong, finds a case full of money and sets about getting out of the country with it.
Whilst all this is happening we are introduced to protagonist, Anton, and we learn that he's been contracted to retrieve the money that Llewellyn has fled with, at any cost. This character is played by Javier Bardem, and never has anybody on screen been so disturbingly scary. Anton is a complete psychopath, he likes hurting people. At times, he bears no facial expression, his eyes look though people, he has no conscience. You might be thinking right now 'sounds like Arnie in Terminator'.. NO, much, much scarier, but, like Terminator, he chases his victim with the same relentless vigilance. But this film is much more than some hunt flick; the characters are clever, and one close call follows another. It's extremely gripping.
Other characters blend in beautifully, there are no throw aways to speak of, and there are some big names with rather minor roles, combined to make this a wonderfully acted thriller.
The atmosphere is perfect. I lust for films which bring this sort of feel to them, I haven't found many, but in truth, I think it's only this film and some Roman Polanski numbers. Films like this, really put you in the moment, you feel uneasy, you feel excited. I actually found myself clenching my fists very tightly throughout this movie, it's that powerful!
Along with the great atmosphere is the delightful and bleak backdrop; this is after all in Texas where the open space and colour is very pleasing to the eye. It's also perfect for a film such as this because as we watch Llewellyn being hunted down by gun wielding drug dealers in the desert, we realise there really is nowhere for him to hide.
I can't recommend this film enough. I'm giving it a 9/10 because, as brilliant as it is, I was a bit disappointed by the ending, but more to the point, it doesn't quite have that 'perfection' like films such as The Godfather, or perhaps, Schindlers List, but on the other hand, I found NCFOM much more enjoyable, and I think, that's the point.