A great film with the exception of the ending. Many spoilers!

Rating: 7/10 (25 February 2008)

The Coen Brothers have crafted quite a film. It has terrific performances, great photography, and a good deal of suspense. Fortunately I was able to see this movie on Sunday before the Oscars, later that night they were announced the winners for screenplay, directing, supporting actor, and picture. So why does this movie fall short of a masterpiece?
Well it has a blend of action and drama. Josh Brolin finds a suitcase of drug money. After being chased by dealers and a murderous psychopath, He runs away to Mexico with his wife at his mother's house. Moving from motel room to motel room, Josh Brolin encounters several life and death situations. Just when it gets good Josh Brolin's character gets killed off-screen at the start of the third act. So I was let down that the man to root for was killed off, but what also contaminated the ending was that the bad guy didn't die. Sure he gets hurt in a car crash and then limps away. But that's it, we don't know if Brolin's wife was murdered, and it looks like their ending is left open for a sequel. A sheriff played by Tommy Lee Jones searches for Brolin. After failing to save him and catch the bad guy he gives up. Making it one ending anti-climatic ending.
So while this movie is not on par with "Raising Arizona," I still believe this was a top notch effort with Bardem, Brolin, and Jones perfectly cast. Hope the Coen brothers have better work to come.