"Near perfect execution of a difficult task"

Rating: 10/10 (30 January 2008)

A. O. Scott of the NY Times said that, and I can only agree. In trying to think of flaws in this film, my only qualm is that it could have been a little less gory--do we really need to see, in extreme close-up, various wounds being attended to? I had to avert my eyes.
However, there were other equally bloody scenes in which the gore was actually funny (think wood-chipper from "Fargo").
Aside from my squeamishness, I thought this film was perfect. I can't recommend any improvement. And I can't say that about many films, ever.
What most impressed me was that the Texas dialogue was perfect. Perhaps Texans don't always speak in such shockingly beautiful words, but they could have. Tommy Lee Jones' character was authentic, and could have said those exact words. But aside from the script, what Tommy Lee Jones added is incalculable.
The same is true of Javier Bardem. His lines were few, and were not poetic. His non-verbal interpretation of the part is a breathtaking accomplishment on its own, and he is ready for the Rogue's Gallery of the greatest villains of all time.
Until I checked the credits afterwards, I was not sure who played Llewellyn. OMG. Josh Brolin? Who would have thought he had such talent within him? I could go on and on, but this is the best 2007 film I have seen so far. I was thoroughly entertained, engrossed, laughing, crying, and wanting to see it again.