No Country for Old Men

[SleeplessOne]

great to see the Coen's salute for what was a superb film, really looking forward to seeing it again sometime soon - Javier Bardam was always gonna take home a shiny-thing too ...

[The Dreaming]

It might be a movie that is better with subsequent viewings. I *can* say that a few of the scenes (the chase at dawn in particular) might be among the most intense scenes I have ever seen. There are moments of tension that actually rival and surpass the Master. (Hitchcock)

Honestly though, I think my favorite thriller is Children of Men. (It crosses many Genres) Honestly, I still feel that movie is the movie of the Decade, and will be remembered as such in 20 years. I have never had a movie play my emotions so expertly, and electrify my nerves so wonderfully.

[Worm of Despite]

The problem with films that rely on tension is it only works the first time. Children of Men just doesn't excite me anymore. I still take joy in the sheer quality of the work, but I'm no longer "on the rollercoaster," so to speak. I hope I don't get the same syndrome with No Country, which is why I might not get the DVD.

Another problem: these films rely less on story/drama (which I can return to) and more on using the nuts and bolts screenplay, cinematography, and acting to scare your pants off. Don't get me wrong, the films are deep and have their themes, but the plots themselves are unremarkable (to me, anyway).

[Cagliostro]

I'll see it again, but I think the film is overrated. Agree though that Bardem deserves his Oscar.

Agreed on both points.

[danlo]

I loved this film-Bardem was just a force! To me the ending was plain and simple:

Spoiler

anyone who wants to play this game will be sent straight to hell-as evidenced by one character telling Chigurh to go to hell to which he matter of factly replies, "Uh huh" (that's why he's considered the 'sanest'). Tommie Lee is having second thoughts about the game and Chigurh can sense this, so he hides under the bed. By retiring Lee escapes hell.

God I love McCarthy!

[Usivius]

interesting point ... the style of the movie was great. Loved it but there were a few things ... direction and writing choices that confused me:

Spoiler

Yah, the motel scene where the killer allows the sheriff to live ... why be there at all?...
And why did the car smash in to Bardim's when he had the green light?... was the driver drunk? not explained...

the point of the movie was plain to me and the ending made sense although smacks you in the face on first viewing and you can't help but be disappointed at that time. It does take a second viewing (or long hard thought afterwards) to see how necessary it is to the story.

I have only seen it once ... but looking for a chance to see it agian some time

8.5 out of 10

[taraswizard]

It's a very weird movie.

Someone had said previuosly the movies has a plot. It did? I recognize there's a narrative

Spoiler

one, the primary one, narrative is about the search for a large satchel containing a huge sume of money

. For example, after a fairly long talk with a fellow who's very familar with the book, told me a few friends of his had said 'it's a character study'. Not a point I agree with, FYI. However, I can easily see how some might categorize the movie as such.

Additionally, IMO the movie's more violent than the movies of Quentin Tarantino or Robert Rodriguez, and the violence is much more disturbing. Do not take these two points or the one above to say I did not like it. But I do not see this as a movie I'd watch for fun, I'll watch Fargo for fun.

[Tulizar]

Saw it for the first time last night. Chigurgh was a great badass character. He was sure of himself, intelligent, self-sufficient and well versed in killing. I really wanted him to die.

I was rooting for Lew Moss all the way.

Spoiler

I was bummed that he died, but thought it was well done--nothing overdone. You see the mexicans driving away, then the aftermath--Moss' body in the motel room.

Anyone that saw this movie clarify two points for me;
1.

Spoiler

why did Chigurgh kill his employers two lieutenants?

and 2.

Spoiler

What happened when tommy lee entered the room at the end? Why did Anton not kill him? Was Anton not actually in the room? What are your thoughts?

Spoiler

Not sure why Chigurgh killed the two Lts. I assumed he was following orders, or that was simply crazy.

Spoiler

I believe Chigurgh was still in the room when the sheriff entered. Since Chigurgh already snagged the money (the dime he used to remove the vent cover was still on the floor) perhaps there was no need to kill the sheriff.
Woody Harellson's character claimed Chigurgh was a man of principles. I'd say his principles might compell him to stop at nothing, killing any who get in his way, in order to achieve his goal. Since his goal, claiming the money, was realized, why bother messing with the sheriff?
Moss' wife was another story. He killed her because he had to stick to his word.

[wayfriend]

Separated at birth?



Anton Chigurh = Bakshi’s Aragorn.

[Tulizar]

I thought I'd seen him before

[Wyldewode]

I watched this at a friend's house the other day. I must say I wasn't all that impressed. I felt like the film took itself far too seriously. . . as in, "This is an important film and you'd better be glad that we let people like you see it."

I didn't like the ending, but knowing that it was originally a novel mitigates that slightly. I'm with all the others who had a hard time following the ending dialog and was surprized by the credits.

I wouldn't recommend it to others, but it hardly needs my help in gaining popularity.

[The Dreaming]

I dunno, I don't think the film took itself seriously, I think it's just that most the people who you have heard talk about it probably take it very seriously. The Coens never take themselves particularly seriously. (Fargo?!) Any super acclaimed film you see a little bit removed from the buzz is going to be a little over-scrutinized by the viewer. If I told you now that Dr. Strangelove is the funniest movie ever made, how likely are you to agree after you see it for the first time tomorrow? Not very. Though it is very funny, I may have damaged your enjoyment of the film by setting the bar so high. I think we can all agree that Dr. Stangelove is a very funny movie, but is it the funniest?

I think we can all agree that No Country is a really good movie, but was it the best of 2007? Was it even the Coen's best? There's a lot of room for debate. (I still like Fargo and Lebowski more)

[jacob Raver, sinTempter]

Thought it was really well done, high tension, Chigurh is chilling...but I thought the last act was somewhat confusing, Tommy Lee's part didn't quite do it for me and I didn't like the ending, but overall it was an excellent film.

[sgt.null]

thought it was excellent. i liked struggling to follow along and enjoyed being sadened by the fate of many of the characters.