Thursday, November 29, 2007

No Country for Old Men


When a film ends with the recounting of a dream in which a weather-beaten, life-weary man searches for the fire his father is building to warm them, it's impossible not to think of the love we all yearn for and can hopefully muster. It's also a welcome spiritual respite when that film has seduced its audience on a journey into a hell of the relentless violence that follows a man after he steals drug money in the naïve belief that its owners might ignore him, and the slow-moving chase that ensues when a truly psychopathic person pursues the man and the cash. No Country for Old Men, the new picture from the Coen Brothers, based on Cormac McCarthy's 2005 novel, is probably the most accomplished film released this year.

I'll do my best to avoid spoilers, as it would be unfair to assume that readers have seen it. So I must skirt around the issues that cause me to praise this film so highly. In short, No Country for Old Men is a slow, thoughtful, frightening, and beguiling film about the selfishness of people and the desperate need to restore the virtue of community bonds. Its central character – called Anton Chigurh, and played by Javier Bardem – is one of the most titanic characterizations of evil intent I've ever seen in a film. He simply kills what gets in his way, and even plays sport with some of his potential victims - inviting them to toss a coin to determine their fate. Josh Brolin is the man who finds the money belonging to Chigurh's employers, and Tommy Lee Jones the sheriff baffled by the trail of death that ensues in their wake.

To read the rest of this post on the God's Politics blog, click here.

4 comments:

Adam Copeland said...

Thanks, Gareth. Enjoyed the post. Though I loved the book, I was afraid the movie might have been over-the-top, but by the sound of it, it'll be worth the trip.

Love the site--when my wife and I are stuck for a flick to see, we often pull it up before heading to blockbluster.

http://adamcopeland.wordpress.com

Jordan Richardson said...

I absolutely loved that film. I also wanted to say that I love this blog and will be a regular reader.

I've added you to my blogroll. Take a look at my film review blog if you get a chance to.

Thanks and God bless.

Jordan aka Canadian Cinephile

http://cinephile.wordpress.com/

Unknown said...

Gareth --

I ended up at your site looking for an image of INTO GREAT SILENCE for my blog.

It's a great looking site. I think I will visit often.

Do you mind if I add a link at my site?

www.ithilienexile.blogspot.com

lindz said...

Very interesting insight. I'm curious as to what your take on Tommy Lee Jones' character "waiting on God to show up," and feeling like he "never did." I wasn't sure what to make of all that, but I did enjoy this beautiful film.