NO COUNTRY FOR
OLD MEN
USA, 2007
Running Length: 129
minutes
Cast: Tommy
Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Woody Harrelson, Kelly McDonald
Director: Joel
& Ethan Coen
Screenplay: Joel & Ethan Coen
Cinematography: Roger
Deakins
Based on the relentlessly bleak novel by Cormac McCarthy,
the latest from the Coen brothers is a definite return to form after their
lackluster re-imagining of The Ladykillers. It is a faithful adaptation yet the Coens manage to find
black humour even in this harshly downbeat crime saga.
While out hunting Llewellyn Moss stumbles upon a gruesome
scene. Dead bodies, heroin and
cash are strewn across the desert floor.
Foolishly Llewellyn decides to take the cash. He knows it is foolish and that very bad men will come after
him, yet does it anyway. Sure enough it is not long before he is pursued by the
psychopathic Anton Chigurth. Also
watching him is local Sheriff Ed Tom who has spotted him on his return to the
crime scene.
Given that this is essentially a three man game of cat and
mouse, an amazing amount of carnage builds up. Those who have not read the book
will be shocked and thrilled by what comes on screen, while those who have will
be delighted to see the novel done such cinematic justice. Regular Coen collaborator Roger Deakins
shoots the unforgiving landscape with precise framing, making great use of the
wide expanses and natural light.
Visually and aurally this film is a masterpiece and for the Coens a very
welcome return to their roots.
Huge fan of the Coen brothers. :)
ReplyDeleteI liked The Hudsucker Proxy very much and Fargo, too, but the rest of their movies are like Scorsese flicks sprinkled with black humor. Not my cup of tea.
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting... I never liked The Hudsucker Proxy much. Fargo though, is one of my all time favorites!
DeleteOne of my favorite from the Coen brothers
ReplyDelete"Call it, friendo." A movie I've only seen once, but I remember a lot about it. Still, I'll want to see it again at some point...
ReplyDelete