Why No Country for Old Men?

[lime]

Ok, so I have been wondering why people love that movie so much? I mean, yeah the move has good directing and good acting (specially from Bardem), but I don’t see anything else so worthy of greatness? The script is (for me) pointless, and goes nowhere. I guy finds money and that other guy start chasing him. That’s it. No message, no nothing.

And except the love from the viewers, how can any awards be called smart if they give best picture to that movie in the same category with the absolutely brilliant and smart film as Atonement!? Even there will be blood was better that year.

Can someone tell me what’s so good about that movie? What’s so special?

I personally give it a 7.5/10

 

[Sentinel X]

It had great acting, an interesting villain, beautiful cinematography, great suspense and build up, interesting themes on greed and human nature, and excellent tone and mood.

I personally prefer NCFOM more than TWBB and Atonement.

 

[Hattusil]

If you don't get what's so good or so special about anything, no one can change that.

 

[Doctor Jones]

It's way more than a man chasing another. It's about the human nature of man and greed.

Choice is another huge theme. So is free will and chance and fate.

 

[Jager X]

One of the many themes of the movie, and probably the most pivotal one, lies right within the title. Times have changed, and so has the savagery of man. Tommy Lee Jones was an "old" sheriff who thought he had seen all there is in his line of work, that is until he came across the whirlwind that was Anton Chigurgh. The old sheriff found himself in the middle of a war that he was, for the first time in his career, helpless. He had no place in the big country any more. Very great movie indeed.

 

[Mace Dolex]

I may watch it if whenever it pops up on HBO.

 

[Octoberist]

also, i believe that with age or maybe 'a second chance' anyone with an open enough mind can change their minds on a particular movie.

 

[Tacit Ronin]

Complexity in simplicity. Stop looking at the surface of the plot. The movie is more complex then you think.

 

[chaseter]

I like it because it is a good movie..............................................................

Plus the plot and the ending don't go along with typical Hollywood endings. One of the male leads is killed off and the ending isn't what you thought it would be although that story Tommy Lee tells is perfect to describe what would happen if he continued to chase the villain. It was a good movie.

 

[TheFuture]

One of the many themes of the movie, and probably the most pivotal one, lies right within the title. Times have changed, and so has the savagery of man. Tommy Lee Jones was an "old" sheriff who thought he had seen all there is in his line of work, that is until he came across the whirlwind that was Anton Chigurgh. The old sheriff found himself in the middle of a war that he was, for the first time in his career, helpless. He had no place in the big country any more. Very great movie indeed.

Spot on.

I think it was a good presentation of where we are as a race right now. For instance, the ending tells us that bad stuff happens, and often there is not a happy ending. Sometimes bad people get away, I mean it actually happens a lot, way more than what Hollywood will tell you.

 

[Kane52630]

^All great comments on why its a great film but I got to say is the gas station scene was bonechilling

 

[Dark Victory]

Probably my favorite film of the decade...

 

[Doctor Jones]

"Can't stop what's coming."

It's been a while since I've watched the film (I should rewatch it) but his uncle himself said this to Bell. To go along with Jager's excellent post, this fits along with it. Times do change, and if you've think you've seen it all, it's not even over, there is always more to it than you think. I think Bell retiring at the end sort of says that. I like to think that's he's given up because he's lost hope with things and he thought he saw it all. He saw it with Moss's death and Anton's relentless nature. It fits with the ending, which is all more nihilstic. Anton getting away and Moss being dead. It's not a happy Hollywood ending, nor is it happy for Bell. His monologue in the beginning tells about the crimes he witnessed. Then at the end he describes his dream about his father waiting there for him. I kind of like to think these two things parallel eachother. I have to watch the film again to think about it more.

 

[Asteroid-Man]

The anti climactic ending worked more in the novel, not on screen. Also, music in films was introduced to enhance emotion - they should have taken advantage of this.

 

[Judge Holden]

One of the many themes of the movie, and probably the most pivotal one, lies right within the title. Times have changed, and so has the savagery of man. Tommy Lee Jones was an "old" sheriff who thought he had seen all there is in his line of work, that is until he came across the whirlwind that was Anton Chigurgh. The old sheriff found himself in the middle of a war that he was, for the first time in his career, helpless. He had no place in the big country any more. Very great movie indeed.

This pretty much sums up my thoughts on it perfectly.

And also the comments about the ending. I see some people criticize it... i honestly can't understand why. It's one of those endings where you are left like "oh... ****..." Did he kill her or didn't he? Regardless... he still walks away to kill another day... great "unhollywood" ending. It's meant to be anti climatic. It being anti climatic adds to the ending i feel. It just leaves you with a sense of helplessness and dread, just like Bell. The bad guy won.

The Coens are geniuses.

 

[Tacit Ronin]

The anti climactic ending worked more in the novel, not on screen. Also, music in films was introduced to enhance emotion - they should have taken advantage of this.

Don't tell the Coen brothers how to direct.

The lack of music in the film is a stroke of genius.

 

[Judge Holden]

Yea i agree. The lack of any real score adds a real sparseness and gloomyness to the film.

There really is no need for some bombastic theme or even any cues to build tension. The tension is built by the superb acting and just all round direction.

 

[Brother Jack]

I think it was a good presentation of where we are as a race right now. For instance, the ending tells us that bad stuff happens, and often there is not a happy ending. Sometimes bad people get away, I mean it actually happens a lot, way more than what Hollywood will tell you.

There is a measure of hope there I think, even if it's minuscule. Bell's last lines about the dream he had of his father suggests a small light, a goodness that remains even within "all that dark and all that cold" of this world.

I can understand to a degree why some don't like the ending, or the last act actually, because I used to feel the same way. The first two-thirds of the film, when it's more or less just Moss and Chigurh chasing each other, is incredible, mesmerizing filmmaking. Then once Moss is killed the movie takes a turn and slows down, at which point the anti-climactic ending surfaces. It took me a while to reconcile the ending to the rest of the film, but I did.

 

[Ghostvirus]

My question is why do people that don't understand great film making keep wandering out of Freddy Got Fingered & into great films. You shouldn't be there. You are out of your element. Just stop trying to play in the big boy camp.

 

[redhawk23]

My question is why do people that don't understand great film making keep wandering out of Freddy Got Fingered & into great films. You shouldn't be there. You are out of your element. Just stop trying to play in the big boy camp.

that was quite possibly the most condenscending post I have ever read. Just because someone doesn't get or apreciate a single film that everon else raves about doesn't mean you can write them off as idiots. come down off yourself.

 

[Doctor Jones]

I was shocked by it, but I never disliked it. I just loved how bleak it seemed. The final moments took me off guard but I loved the fates of Anton and Moss.

"You didn't see me."

And then walking away like he was never there. Like Bell said, he's like a ghost. I think the Coens played that up as well. This relentless psychopath. He's more like a robot, who's only mission is to retrieve the case and kill anything that stands in his way. Although you kind of question the illusion when Moss's wife explains about the coin. He actually stops and thinks for a second. So he's more than just robotic. But then again, he kills his wife anyway. Which is very interesting. There seems to be a superficial quality to Anton, but there could be more as well. Just one of the reasons why Bardem deserved the Oscar.

 

[Judge Holden]

I was shocked by it, but I never disliked it. I just loved how bleak it seemed. The final moments took me off guard but I loved the fates of Anton and Moss.

"You didn't see me."

And then walking away like he was never there. Like Bell said, he's like a ghost. I think the Coens played that up as well. This relentless psychopath. He's more like a robot, who's only mission is to retrieve the case and kill anything that stands in his way. Although you kind of question the illusion when Moss's wife explains about the coin. He actually stops and thinks for a second. So he's more than just robotic. But then again, he kills his wife anyway. Which is very interesting. There seems to be a superficial quality to Anton, but there could be more as well. Just one of the reasons why Bardem deserved the Oscar.

Great point there.

But do we know for sure if he kills her? I thought it was pretty ambiguous.

 

[Doctor Jones]

I was thinking of that too.

But I think he did. Notice how he checks his boots before he exits the porch.

 

[Asteroid-Man]

Don't tell the Coen brothers how to direct.

The lack of music in the film is a stroke of genius.

I'm sorry, it was a mistake. I call 'em as I see 'em.

Yea i agree. The lack of any real score adds a real sparseness and gloomyness to the film.

There really is no need for some bombastic theme or even any cues to build tension. The tension is built by the superb acting and just all round direction.

First of all, you could even have some subtle bits of music. Even the music in the credits could've been used.

Secondly, just because the tension is there and the acting is good and the directing is good, that doesn't mean you can't have music to make it that much better. Sure the emotion is conveyed, but through the use of music, it wouldn't make it worse - it would only make it better (if done effectively).

My question is why do people that don't understand great film making keep wandering out of Freddy Got Fingered & into great films. You shouldn't be there. You are out of your element. Just stop trying to play in the big boy camp.

And Ghostvirus, you wanna play in "the big boy camp"? GTFO the band wagon. Sure the camera was great, sure the acting was brilliant and the suspense was there and the story was great but that doesn't mean it's the best film of the year. I'm sick and tired of artsy-fartsy, anti-blockbuster critics and film viewers which won't consider their options thoroughly. Ever heard of Persepolis? That was a 2007, "artsy" book adaptation too -much better than NCFOM- but it didn't win the Oscar. American Gangster was also a brilliant film in terms of challenging society's outlook on right/wrong, the corrupt and the incorruptible - it was the Neo-Godfather but it also failed to receive proper recognition. Eastern Promises had flawless acting and incredible writing and directing too, this as well did not receive enough recognition.

To be completely honest, 2007 was not the best year in terms of films, but No Country for Old Men is overrated and overhyped. Was it good? Yes. Was it groundbreaking? Hmm... The mere fact that you need to stop and think about whether or not things (like the lack of music or when Chigurh kills Moss, or how they CHANGED the ending from Chigurh killing Moss to a bunch of Mexican gangsters killing Moss) should be reconsidered or not, this will all give you the answer that it wasn't as ground breaking or amazing as it was shown to be.

Again, it was GOOD, but it had the potential to be MUCH better.

I loved the book, but the movie sure did disappoint me.

 

[Asteroid-Man]

Great point there.

But do we know for sure if he kills her? I thought it was pretty ambiguous.

He kills her. Chigurh is representative of Death or the Devil, coming around to collect his dues, and he's come to collect everything from Moss...at least in the book. In the movie it should be even more clear that he kills her considering a random Mexican gang kills Moss anyways, so the only left for Chigurh to take from Moss is his girl.