Great, but what gives?

Rating: 9/10 (10 February 2008)

At the conclusion of "No Country for Old Men" I thought the Coen Brothers gave me and the audience "the finger". After 2 hours of mesmerizing storytelling with the brilliant cinematography of Roger Deakins, the movie endswithout a discernible third act. I will cop to being obtuse. Instead of giving "the finger" back, I acknowledge the masterpiece at work with Writers and Directors Ethan and Joel Coen. The performances are astounding from Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin, and Javier Bardem. Bardem as the sociopath killer Anton Chigurh is powerful, and deserves to win the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
"No Country for Old Men" on the surface glorifies sociopath professional killer Chigurh (Bardem) in his mission to retrieve $2 millionat least on the surface. The Coen Brothers never manufacture any insight into the ruthless and nearly indestructible Chigurh. Tommy Lee Jones's Sheriff Ed Bell's resolution is poignant in keeping with the title, and hinting a possible future, but is completely out of context. Even if the Coens intend this as a great existential treatise, it is overly indulgent and does not work. There is no compelling catharsis to "No Country for Old Men". Having a catharsis about either the good or evil in men would have been welcome. Here one just seems missing. Even reflecting upon the ending I kept expecting to see Pam Ewing seeing Bobby in the shower on that infamous episode of "Dallas". What happened here? I get that exploration into human darkness and ambiguous endings equate to movie gravitas. However, here I wonder how much of this is the Directors' arrogance?
Set in 1980, "No Country for Old Men" opens multi-textured. On a deer hunting trip Lewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin) discovers a massacre in the middle of nowhere. The scene is an apparent drug deal gone awry: murdered bodies everywhere, a shipment of heroin, and $2 million. Chigurh brutally escapes local sheriffs' custody and begins a merciless killing rampage. The cold blooded Chigurh is singular in focus, and chillingly displays mastery at what he does. Lewelyn returns to his trailer home and wife Carla Jean (good Kelly Macdonald). Lewelyn does not know what to do next, but he knows that as long as he has the money both he and Carla Jean are in grave danger. Meanwhile in the city, Carson Wells (Woody Harrelson) meets with a mysterious man who wants him to locate Chigurh and the money. Carson confirms that Chigurh is a very bad man. Tommy Lee Jones as Sheriff Ed Tom Bell narrates the story's opening. His voice is tired and resigned, saying "I always knew you had to be willing to die to even do this job - not to be glorious." Jones embodies a battle worn weariness, and folksy common sense in Ed Tom. Soon all story threads converge, and Ed Tom must bring to justice the murderous Chigurh.
The Coen brothers chillingly compel in their story of greed, murder, and betrayal. This certainly is no place for old men, who have grown weary of the evil that men can do and no longer have the resolve to do what is necessary. That may be simple speak; however, it may be appropriate for this tale. Given all the passionate and brilliant work, I think the Coens really disappoint in the end. Even if this is their existential masterpiece where both good and evil men survive in the world or that life really means nothing in a profound sense, at least complete a Third Act of a story. After investing 2 hours watching brilliant storytelling, at least have the humility to conclude the story in some recognizable manner.