No Country for Old Men (2007) : Old Classic Silently stays Golden

Rating: 8/10 (25 September 2018)

No Country For Old Men (2007) have been regarded as one of the classic western film. The film featuring Tommy Lee Jones and Javier Bardem managed to stays monumental due to its different take on the genre and very interesting acting by the cast. After watching this movie myself, I can say that this is a good movie with so many levels of message. If you like western and unusual take on its storyline, it is a must watch.
The story follow three main standpoint as Violence and mayhem ensue after a hunter or welder accidentally stumbles upon a drug deal gone wrong and more than two million dollars in cash near the Rio Grande. The hunter named Lwellyn Moss (Josh Brolin) then being hunted back for the cash by a hired hitmen Anton Cigurth (Javier Bardem). The story then also switch to the perspective of a local sherriff Ed Tom Bell (Tommy Lee Jones) who seems reluctant to get involved but still got involved anyway.
Personally, I felt that this movie is somewhat random at times, and event will happen unexpected. The message delivered is also very gray as there is ambiguous message regarding heroes and villains, justice and evil. While the storyline may kind of messy at first and switching back and forth between many characters it still manages to grasp your attention and won't let it go.I believe your attention is already glued to the movie thanks to the strength of each character in the movie especially Anton Cigurth.
Anton Cigurth managed to be one of the most unique villain in the movies that I watched. From the first sight, he already gave a different atmosphere, as he appears to wear all black like a grim reaper with a funny hair (which no one dares to laugh at). Not only his appearance, his character is so much more complex. While he is evil he is much more than that. as he acts based on a set of principles, which is very awesome for a character and especially villain to have, since many villain did not have enough conviction on their belief and can be convinced by heroes at times.
My favorite moment is always when Cigurth takes act and give his victim a chance to decide their fate by calling a flip of coin (similar to Harvey Dent in Dark Knight). I think it manages to create more tension than the gunfight, even though this movie provided some very good gun fighting with a good build up and action.
Another thing that stands out from this movie is that it has no music or soundtrack whatsoever all the time the movie plays. It is very quiet, but I think the silence is being utilized very well by the director the Coen Brothers as tools to elevate tension in every scene and make things more thrilling. Not many movie managed to do this thing very well, the other I know are quiet and mute film like hush and a quiet place.
My worries is that for some people that likes fast action, I will not recommend this as this movie builds up pretty slowly and may need your attention to understand the story and characters motivation. If you just want fun stupid gun action, you will be disappointed and most likely drowsed only to be awaken later with no understanding of what is happening.
I wanted to mention that this movie would let you know that you have limitation, as for the old men in this film and their justice are powerless to the force of nature, law, and chaos. This message can be quite summed up by Ellis's quote below.
Ellis: Whatcha got ain't nothin new. This country's hard on people, you can't stop what's coming, it ain't all waiting on you. That's vanity.
I really recommended this movie and I won't hesitate to give this 8 out of 10. If you like cowboy and western movie I say this is a must watch.