Film review the film is No Country For Old Man - Essay Example

Although the Western Country terrain is a time-tested cinematic formula, the directors bring fresh perspectives to it. The acclaimed Western Classicism of past directors as Anthony Mann and Sam Peckinpah are presented within new frameworks. Tommy Lee Jones (Ed Tom Bell) plays the sheriff in a West Texas county, who increasingly grows wary of crime and violence in the region. As tension hangs about the county, a drug deal duel breaks out, in which several men are killed and a few others wounded.

Josh Brolin (Llewelyn Moss) who finds himself caught in this swirl luckily escapes injury. More fortuitously, he gets possession of a satchel containing $2 millions, which he hordes away in his trailer park home. But when he returns to the scene to save a wounded man later that night, he is chased by two unknown persons and also loses his vehicle in the process. The tempo increases from this point on, as different parties attempt to get hold of the cash. Javier Bardem (Anton Chigurh) plays the role of a hitman hired to get back the satchel.

Hence he starts his chase of Llewelyn Moss. Having already killed a police officer before, he is sought by Ed Tom Bell. Hence a triangle of targets is set up in the plot. The further encounters and the attendant suspicion between the three parties constitute the rest of the narrative. Although such a story line is not unique by any means, the screenplay and dialogue are crisply written and well-executed by the actors. Particularly impressive is the role of Anton Chigurh, played by Javier Bardem.

As Houston Chronicle reviewer Amy Biancolli succinctly notes, “he is diabolical in this guise, and he would be even if he didn’t stroll through the movie plugging holes into foreheads with a compressed-air tank. Few actors can play single-mindedness as chillingly as Bardem.” (Biancolli, 2007) The screenplay is laced with a morbid, dark sense of humor, which goes well with the underlying plot structure. There are semblances to Texas Chainsaw Massacre, but in terms of symbolism and metaphor No Country is richer.

Especially striking are metaphors of evil in the actions of the wrong-doers, who are earnestly pursued by the dutiful Sheriff, who comes across as a lone-ranger amid the litany of evil mongers running after quick money. Coen brothers need also be credited for their able handling of the novel form and its smooth adaptation onto screen. Given their poor track record of novel adaptations, this is an impressive and faithful work. Although gun violence is integral to the plot and the genre, there is too much of it during climax sequences.

And as expected it is Anton Chigurh who is at the centre of much of the carnage. His shooting spree at times borders on the insane and the directors might have gone overboard in this respect. Tommy Lee Jones is the stand out actor among the cast, for though he could not prevent the killings or accomplish his mission, his commitment and moral authority is clearly visible. As the story marches towards its conclusion, there is evidence of despondency in Jones’ eyes, which is recognition of his failure to avert much of the transpired violence.

In conclusion, the words of noted critic Ian Buckwalter serve as a suitable summary assessment of the merit of the movie: “But don't let the humor fool you.