No Country For Old Men: a Mixture of Suspense and Violence

Rating: 9/10 (1 March 2020)

"What's the most you ever lost in a coin toss?" is the embodiment of this suspenseful Western crime thriller by the Coen brothers. Although the line may come off as an insignificant phrase, it greatly reflects the ominous tone of the movie and the sinister fate of its characters. The fifteenth film by the well renowned Coen Brothers (Joel & Ethan) introduces the audience to a story of violence and mayhem. As an adaptation of writer Cormac McCarthy's 2005 novel of the same name, it does a great job of bringing the suspenseful tale onto the big screen. With the great performances done by A-list powerhouses like Josh Brolin, Javier Bardem, and Tommy Lee Jones, it is easy to understand why the Academy would grant this film the title of 2007's Best Picture. However, what sets this film apart from other thrillers is its psychological aspect that can leave the audience fulfilled yet puzzled. The dark nature of the world of criminals, hitmen, and killers is well represented in the rather bitter outcome of the story. No Country For Old Men is a movie that greatly captures the attention of the audience with its suspenseful and engaging plot.
Taking place in Texas during the 1980s, the movie follows the perspectives of three major characters: Llewelyn Moss, Anton Chigurh, and Sheriff Ed Tom Bell. After discovering the ruins of a Mexican drug deal gone wrong as well as a briefcase with $2 million, Moss (played by Brolin) finds himself being hunted by a gang of criminals and a vicious hitman. Enter Anton Chigurh (played by Bardem). This man with an unforgettable haircut and evil smile had been hired to retrieve the money, which he does by bringing mayhem to the places he visits. Caught in the violence stirred by the hunt for the briefcase, Sheriff Ed Tom Bell (played by Jones), a World War II veteran, must put a stop to the crime spree in his town. And so the story begins as these three characters' lives are intertwined in the suspenseful plot filled with murder and brutality.
As part of the audience member, it was hard to look away from the screen of the projector. It is expected that a story taking place in 1980's Texas would be filled with shocking violence and savage killings. The music's ominous tones also add to the anxiousness as no one knows what is going to happen when the killers are around. Anyone could die and anyone could live. It is like a coin toss of life. Although the gore may not be as explicit as mainstream horror movies, the blood and injuries and sound effects can instill shock into the viewers. The creepy performance by Javier Bardem elevates the frightening radiation of Chigurh's presence in his scenes. This coldblooded killer is wonderfully shown to be detached from society as his victims could only see the emotionless expression of their murderer. Even when injured, Chigurh showcases no feelings except for his determination to heal up and continue on the hunt. This vile antagonist is characterized exceptionally by the actor. Josh Brolin's performance of Moss allows the audience to connect and sympathize with his character. His unlucky altercation with the criminal underworld hits really hard as his entire life with his beautiful wife is jeopardized. It is within the audience's hopes that Moss is able to survive this quarrel and live happily with the $2 million. The blood and sweat and injuries that Moss gained throughout his run from the hunters would frequently make me question if he would die. Even in times of rest and safe hiding, I could only hope that no sudden danger will appear to threaten Moss' life. The performances of these two actors greatly depict how one's life can be greatly flipped upside down completely after a single impactful event. Tommy Lee Jones acts as the experienced old man of the story who is overmatched yet holds the responsibility of solving this crime story. Although Jones's character of Ed Tom Bell may not be the most enticing aspect of the movie, it still allows the audience to view the movie from the perspective of the law and other minor characters (e.g., Moss' wife aka Carla Jean). Bell's character is often seen dealing with the aftermath of a shootout or a crime scene, of which we are given more information about the chilling actions of the increasingly violent underworld. Jones brings home the performance of a respectable and lovable Sheriff who has to deal with a problem he is underqualified for. The audience can see the disturbance and hopelessness in Bell's eyes but also his attempt to make everything under control. The fate of these characters truly shows how in only a span of years, the world has gotten much more violent.
No Country For Old Men's violent action scenes are highly complimented by its suspenseful storytelling. The unpredictable fate of the characters brings a great psychological effect as the audience could only bite their nails and guess what would occur next. Ultimately, the film shows how uncertain life can be when it is involved in the violent underworld of crime. It is just like a coin toss.