An instant classic for the history books.

Rating: 10/10 (18 February 2016)

In the year 2007, two of modern cinema's most unique and creative filmmakers united once again to adapt a rich piece of storytelling into a miraculous landmark in the history of art – a film we can easily call an instant classic. It is not difficult to attach that label when something so clearly merits it, but defining with words the perfection it achieves does present a challenge. Here goes nothing. Joel & Ethan Coens' masterpiece, No Country for Old Men, more than deservedly won the Oscar for Best Picture in a year stacked with great films. It was simply a triumph that could not be ignored, regardless of its complete lack of common traits the academy tends to reward. The film not only explores a much darker genre than past recipients of the trophy, but it also never succumbs to a single mechanical cliché or convention known to said genre's endless amount of previous subjects. Among many other trademarks, the Coen brothers are notorious for throwing curve-balls at their audience at the turn of every corner, and the material supplied in this case uncannily complements their inimitably transcendent flair. We're treated to a thrilling crime plot wherein Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin) discovers a drug exchange's fatal aftermath and makes off with the satchel of money left behind, being sought after as a result by a psychopathic killer, Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem). Interwoven with this familiar-sounding setup is an interesting observation of the sheriff investigating the situation, Ed Tom Bell (Tommy Lee Jones), during a late period in his life in which he ponders and recollects about the state of humanity and his place in it.
Slowly built and steadily attained is a bleak, grimly intense mood as we follow the violent pursuit, and one of the key elements to maintaining this piercingly cold atmosphere is the ingenious utilization of sound (for which the film garnered Oscar nominations in each category), absent of accompanied musical score. The quietness of the Texas desert location itself is more effective in maintaining adrenaline than any action-packed extravaganza could ever aspire toward. Witnessing murderous events under such a realized ambiance sticks the viewer right there in the mayhem, sparking a breathtaking captivation that few other works have accomplished in a single scene let alone throughout their duration. The sense of danger is also heightened by the stimulating contribution of legendary cinematographer Roger Deakins (who received one of many Oscar nods yet again without the victory), capturing wonderful imagery that evokes reactions ranging from dread to exhilaration to pure awe. Editing the film themselves (and receiving Oscar nominations for it), the Coens also take full control of every moment, oozing impact out of each frame with expertly timed cuts throughout, and allowing it to breathe when necessary. They never miss a beat, causing our hearts to do so instead.
But all of that means nothing without thoroughly convincing performances from the cast, which they do provide – and then some. Brolin conveys fear and determination simultaneously in an otherwise emotionally concealed character. Bardem, earning the Best Supporting Actor Oscar, mesmerizes with every second of his presence, flawlessly mumbling his lines in a creepily threatening manner and using subtle facial expression to exude menace unlike any villain before him. Topped off with his visual appearance, Bardem and company have turned Anton Chigurh into a cinematic icon. Jones also impresses as a man who has seen it all, and finally comes to terms with the fact that putting an end to the unjust ways of humankind is completely out of his hands. The film's quietness assists in catching a softer vibe during the scenes in which Jones takes over with narration or dialogue expressing Bell's feelings about his role in the cruel world surrounding him, and we begin to see the interconnected cat-and-mouse story as a reflection of his perspective, adding an integral profundity to the overall product.
There is endless additional praise to be given here. Joel & Ethan Coen nail it on the head in every regard, and rightfully took home the Academy Award for both their exquisite direction and brilliant screenplay. With thanks to Cormac McCarthy for writing the novel on which the film is based, they enchant us once again with precise attention to detail in each and every element. All of the characters are given dimension, signature comic relief is present without force, the dialogue is consistently spellbinding and the unfolding of events surprises and enthralls, even on subsequent re-watches. The shocking unpredictability paired with the masterful execution makes for a gloriously enamoring experience, and still manages a dramatic backdrop of poetic commentary on fate that keeps the viewer in deep thought after it ends. No Country for Old Men is a feat that will be treasured for many years to come.