A film worth renting

Rating: 8/10 (22 March 2008)

Films with screenplays based off of novels are generally good movies, simply because the story is already created. However, that was something the Coen brothers never had any trouble with. The use of more slow, complicated actions, and little dialogue, is signature to their dark films with that subtle comedic attitude. This movie was a good example of how they tell a story through character development and odd circumstances. In the case that a west Texan, who didn't have much, stumbled upon money from a drug deal gone awry, the situation was probably told quite accurately. The darker Coen films I feel are more well done than others, like Raising Arizona or Intolerable Cruelty.
They had are able to somehow make a slow story board seem fast paced, based on direction and behavior development of the characters. Everything from wardrobe and the adaptation of the early 1980's to the cinematography and set were outstanding as well. The acting was superior to other films of 2007. Javier Bardem gave a superb performance. It's easy to say he's a good actor. For him, this role was more than words and interacting with other characters. Much of it was solitary, or little physical or vocal interaction. His facial expressions and consistent mannerisms make it evident he really grasped the role. Tommy Lee Jones also, had the same way of play the role. For him, as a Texan, it was much as role playing, but as returning to his roots and adapting them to this situation. Something, he did very well.
I found Stephen Root to be oddly casted in this film. Something about having Milton from Office Space, as a serious and dramatic billed actor didn't make much sense. It's not to say he did a poor job, in fact it's quite the contrary. Simply, it was difficult to get past his exterior and see him naturally in this type of scenario. He did play a role in The Ladykillers with Joel and Ethan Cohen, so they must have been aware of his range. The Coens have used actors typically seen in comedies before. Steve Buscemi was casted in Fargo, but has been seen in several voice character roles and a few Adam Sandler comedies. Yet, he was my favorite character in Fargo, and gave one of the best performances. He too, has been casted in multiple Coen Films.
My only real problem with this movie was something beyond the control of the script writers. The story itself seemed a bit scattered. Not enough of what happened was explained in a way that I expected to the Coen brothers to. I also wasn't satisfied with the ending. It didn't have to be happy, or sincere in any way, but absolutely nothing is resolved. What became investigation of the string of crimes Bardem's character committed? Tommy Lee Jone's retiring leaves the impression that he simply gave up, and the investigation is left open and unsolved.
If that is how it was intended, then it was shown perfectly. But because I found it hard to follow for literary reasons, I won't purchase this movie to add to my Coen Collection. It is, however, worth renting, if only to see the solid acting and the typical brilliant script and direction you often get from these two.