Do not watch No Country for Old Men by yourself. More specifically, do not watch No Country for Old Men by yourself, at night, when the wind outside is howling something like a banshee. If you do – and if you’re a wimp, like I am – you will end up cowering under your covers, because there are parts of the film are more terrifying than anything I’ve ever seen. They’re also utterly brilliant, though, which is what makes the movie such a masterpiece.
Directed by Joel and Ethan Coen, the film stars Josh Brolin as “Llewelyn Moss,” who stumbles across two million dollars in cash and subsequently finds himself pursued by a killer, “Anton Chigurh” (Javier Bardem). It’s up to “Sheriff Bell” (Tommy Lee Jones) to get a handle on the violence that’s suddenly consuming his Texas town.
In true Coen brothers style, it’s a movie that boasts darkness and humor in equal supply. However, what makes this film unique from the rest of their filmography is the fact that it’s a true thriller. The Coens are absolute experts at pacing, and they let the story unfold with just the right timing so that every moment has the perfect amount of impact.
Of course, a great deal of that impact can be attributed to Javier Bardem. With a bizarre pageboy haircut marring his uniquely handsome features, he brings his character to life with such subtlety and intensity that it is impossible to look away from him, despite the fact that he is completely repulsive. The rest of the cast performs excellently – particularly Jones, who’s perfectly suited to his role – but it’s truly Bardem’s movie.
If you can handle it, No Country for Old Men is a work of pure genius. Just be sure you have someone to cling to while you watch it – and know that after you do, a coin flip will never feel the same.
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