Film Review -- No Country For Old Men (R)

Directed by Ethan & Joel Cohen
Paramount Vintage/Miramax Films
Released November 21, 2007

I think it's fair to say that the Coen Brothers' last couple attempts at the big screen (The Ladykillers, Intolerable Cruelty) were, well less than successful. In fact they were borderline garbage. Thankfully that streak has come to an end with their latest film No Country For Old Men -- a screenplay that they adapted from a Cormac McCarthy novel of the same name.

The story centers around Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin), who happens upon a drug deal gone horribly wrong while out hunting near the Rio Grande River and winds up finding a satchel full of cash and a truck bed full of heroin. He later ends up being hunted by a twisted sociopath, Anton Chigurh played brilliantly by Javier Bardem.

That's all I'm going to say of the story because finding out what happens next is part of the experience. Needless to say this film is vintage Coen Brothers complete with sharp dialog and dark humor. However, don't go into this movie expecting to see another Big Lebowski or O Brother Where Art Thou, this is not one of those movies. Also, be forewarned this movie has enough blood to make Sam Peckinpah blush, but never has violence been filmed so beautifully.

Don't be surprised if this movie is a major contender next award season.

3.5 out of 4
(Review by CMill)