Film: No Country For Old Men
Director: Coen Brothers
Country: USA
Released: May 2007
Runtime: 122 minutes
Genre: Western
Studio: Miramax / Paramount
Influenced: Jeff Nichols, Denis Villeneuve, Jeremy Saulnier, Kelly Reichardt, Taylor Sheridan
Inspired by Cormac McCarthy's phenomenal 2005 novel of the same name, No Country For Old Men is not just a powerful tribute by the Coen Brothers to the book's exploration of themes like revenge and mortality, but also to the western genre more widely. Despite being drawn to the novel's unique qualities, the brothers initially resisted adapting the novel due the depth of its bleakness, but were ultimately convinced by screenwriter Tony Gilroy's adaptation, which they still found faithful to the source material. Set in West Texas in 1980, the story revolves around Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin), who stumbles upon a drug deal gone wrong in the desert and finds a briefcase filled with cash. Driven by greed, Moss takes the money, unaware that he's now in the crosshairs of Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem), a ruthless hitman hired by the drug cartel to retrieve the cash.
This sets off a violent chain of events, drawing in the determined Sheriff Ed Tom Bell (Tommy Lee Jones), hitman Carson Wells (Woody Harrelson) and Moss' wife, Carla Jean (Kelly Macdonald). In many respects, the film shares similarities with other great Coen Brothers movies like The Big Lebowski and Fargo, with its labyrinthine plot involving small town cops and characters getting in over their heads and having to contend with psychos. For his captivating portrayal of the enigmatic and terrifying Chigurh, Bardem studied the movements of a praying mantis to capture the character's unsettling mannerisms. Tommy Lee Jones also puts in a bravura performance as the folksy Ed Tom, and the dialogue in his scenes with fellow cops is one of the rare comic joys of the movie. Viewing the aftermath of the desert shootout, his partner Wendell says, "It's a mess, ain't it, Sheriff?", to which Ed Tom replies, "If it ain't, it'll do till the mess gets here." He's also prone to doling out little pearls of philosophical wisdom, such as, "Even in the contest between man and steer, the issue is not certain."
Moss' desperate attempt to evade Chigurh's relentless pursuit takes him on a perilous journey through the desolate landscapes of Texas, as well as across the Mexican border, and the Coens masterfully use a muted colour palette, sparse lighting and the stunning backdrop of the Old West to create a sense of isolation and foreboding, mirroring the grim atmosphere of the novel. Also of note is the tension-filled sound design, with the film's silence punctuated by jarring sounds, such as the ticking of Chigurh's watch, heightening the suspense and amplifying the brutality of the violence. The use of handheld shots and extreme close-ups by the Coens blur the lines between the characters and the audience, creating a raw and immediate experience. The brothers eschewed CGI in favour of practical effects, including the use of a real meat grinder in a particularly gruesome scene involving Chigurh.
No Country For Old Men garnered widespread critical acclaim, praised for its masterful filmmaking, intense suspense and profound themes. As well as the incredible performances, especially by Bardem and Tommy Lee Jones, the brothers' adaptation of McCarthy's novel seamlessly translates the bleak atmosphere, philosophical depth and relentless tension of the source material. The film received eight Oscar nominations, winning four, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor (Bardem) and Best Adapted Screenplay. It also received accolades at the Golden Globes and BAFTA Awards, cementing its position as a cinematic masterpiece. No Country For Old Men ranks right in the top tier of Coens Brothers movies, along side The Big Lebowski, Fargo and O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000).
Comments