Today’s quick review: No Country For Old Men. When a hunter in Texas (Josh Brolin) stumbles upon the scene of a drug deal gone bad, he walks away with a suitcase containing $2 million. But there were witnesses to his getaway, and he finds himself pursued by the Mexican gangsters who were on one side of the deal, the American businessman who was on the other, and an emotionless serial killer who is in it for himself (Javier Bardem). The only person not out to kill him is the local sheriff (Tommy Lee Jones), who follows the chase by the bodies left behind. The hunter must use every trick at his disposal if he is going to escape with the money and his life.
No Country For Old Men is a gritty crime drama from the Coen Brothers. Based on the book by Cormac McCarthy, No Country For Old Men features a strong dramatic cast, an unpredictable plot, and a bleak, violent tone. The characters are memorable not as movie characters but as part of a grim, self-consistent world that has all the capriciousness of real life. Their names and faces are less important than their roles in a compelling series of events. Similarly, the story follows no set arc but twists and turns in ways that are hard to predict. The effect of these choices is to remove the filter that storytelling normally uses, presenting a grittier version of our world without the emotional crutches we normally rely on.
No Country For Old Men is a well-executed, gripping film that fans of craft in cinema will enjoy. The Coen Brothers eschew their usual flair in favor of clean, principled direction. Fans of their work should note that No Country For Old Men is as far on the dramatic end of their spectrum as O Brother, Where Art Thou? is on the comedic. Those who are sensitive to violence, who prefer storybook stories, or who are just looking for something lighter should look elsewhere. No Country For Old Men is a unique film with craftsmanship to spare, but it is bleak, violent, and not entirely satisfying. Plan accordingly.
8.1 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it 7.5 to 8.0 for quality.