The Coen Brother's best film since BLOOD SIMPLE - an epic masterpiece; Jones, Brolin & Bardem all deliver the Oscar-worthy goods

Rating: Null/10 (15 November 2007)

NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN (2007) **** Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Woody Harrelson, Kelly Macdonald, Garret Dillahunt, Tess Harper, Barry Corbin, Stephen Root, Rodger Boyce, Beth Grant. The Coen Brothers masterful adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's black tinged novel about Llewelyn Moss, a Texas Marlboro Man type (Brolin, all foolish bravado, in his career best role to date) who stumbles upon a drug deal gone awry, absconds with the illicit $2M, and the vengeful wrath of Anton Chigurh, the psychotic criminal (Bardem sporting a haircut from hell and equally excellent in one of the darkest cinematic villains to come down the pike in years), it belongs to. On the trail of violence and fate is world-weary Ed Tom Bell (Jones in a career high as well), the local peace officer out to stop the bloody trail. The film works on all cylinders at a suspiciously sedate yet suspenseful rate thanks to the skillful two-headed directing team of Joel & Ethan and there ace cinematographer Roger Deakins making hell on earth look beautiful and special kudos to the uniquely on-edge sound design by Craig Berkey whose shrewd use of silences makes for one helluva filmgoing experience. The three primary actors seriously deserve Oscar consideration. One of the year's best films.