Suspenseful, masterful Western

Rating: 9/10 (26 December 2007)

Once Llewelyn Moss finds the site of the shootout, No Country for Old Men kept me in edgy suspense for the rest of its running time. While at the same time finding the decisions that many of the characters make unreasonable, I could easily find myself being so captivated by greed or so driven by code that even the strangest characters in this adaptation of a Cormac McCarthy novel are yet somehow understandable.
Featuring a number of solid performances, a terrifyingly minimalist soundtrack and some of the finest (and most straightforward) direction that the Coen brothers have ever brought forth, this story of cat and mouse, of greed, and the following consequences is perhaps the most chilling film I've seen in 2007. The madness of the Anton Chigurh character, who lives by a seemingly rigid and yet flawed code, coupled with his unblinking resolve and his calmness in getting everything done, creates one of the most quietly menacing villains I've witnessed in cinema.
Honestly, I went in with a critical eye because of the amount of praise heaped upon this film by critics, but left, convinced like them: this is one of the best (non-comedic) works ever produced by the Coens, a marvelous drawing of the Western genre, and a true tale of horror. The only thing that I find missing is a stronger tie/resolution to the three or four story lines and a deeper look at the motivations of some of the characters--something I imagine you can find in the novel. But as a film, this is a wicked and dark story, and a highly recommended watch, if you can take the suspense (and the graphic depiction of violence and wounding). 9/10.