Enjoyable and Suspenseful Film

Rating: Null/10 (24 April 2008)

I really enjoyed this movie. Very suspenseful. You're pulling for the Vietnam vet to outsmart the heartless assassin and there are all kinds of twists and turns and whatnot. I did not find this film boring at all.
You need to pay attention during this movie or it might not make sense. It might be best to watch it a couple times. I liked it the first time, but on second viewing I noticed things that I'd missed before. And I definitely think this is a good movie for repeated viewings, as long as you liked it. Engrossing suspense.
As to the ending, it's controversial. I won't give it away, but some people like it and some people hate it. I guess what you might want to think of is that Tommy Lee Jones's sheriff character (the "old man" in the title) is really the main character. The point of the story is how the world is changing, as seen by an old Texan sheriff. Everything else happens around that.
I haven't read Cormac McCarthy's book, but this film is supposed to be very faithful to it, ending and all.
The story also seems to deal with some fairly deep philosophical ideas, which I am not prepared to delve into. You can find out more about that stuff in the discussion topics.
I'm not a film scholar, but I had no problems with this one, acting, writing, directing, or otherwise. There IS violence, and that didn't bother me. If you don't like violence, this might not be for you. Definitely not for children, and that's why it's rated R.
Despite the violence and the blood, this isn't an "action" movie. But this film commands your attention and has you on the edge of your seat. Even when you know how it all ends, it's still fun to go along for the ride all over again.
I could watch this film again and again and again.