The narrative grips you in a way few films in film history has. It’s unrelenting in its narrative propulsion.
The coens and Javier bardem (along with Cormac McCarthy of course) have created one of the more memorable characters/villains in recent film history with the Anton Chigurh character
Early on I love the scuffs on the floor while he chokes out the first patrolman- the level of detail is so admirable
Meditation and exploration of fate- from the coin toss, to the wonderful scene back and forth with Bardem and the gas convenience store owner- it’s heavy- almost greek folklore like and this another reason why I love the car crash
Especially with the Tommy Lee Jones character- we see the coen’s knack and love for extreme dialects come into play]
It’s a major achievement for the entire cast- but specific ally Brolin, Bardem and Tommy Lee Jones
Doesn’t have the jaw dropping visual style or set pieces of say a raiders or north by northwest– two other genius films that compare with the astounding narrative force
I love the ending as well- which will test a lot of viewers who make enjoy much of the crime aspect and narrative genius
Deserved it’s Best Picture win and should have won The Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture Drama and BAFTA award for best film but lost both to Atonement(which is good but not on No Country’s level).
@Randy–I have no problem with No Country winning. It is a brilliant film — one of the best best picture winners of all-time…but the critical consensus (and I) actually think There Will Be Blood was the best film of 2007
Did a recent watch and you’re right about the narrative/plot almost driving itself and really it’s the $2 million in cash that serves as a character in itself. I’m not really sure if the $2 million in cash should be considered a Macguffin (Hitchcock)? None the less the story flows so well without any contrived drama or any subplots as they would really serve no purpose in a film like this.
The gas station scene is truly an all time great scene, the way it builds tension up until the point where the poor attendant correctly (thankfully) wins the coin flip.
The Woody Harrelson scene in the hotel is probably the 2nd best scene in the film. Superb acting from Bardem and Harrelson. When Harrelson’s character offers to take him to an ATM and pay him $14 grand Chigurh just smiles/basically laughs in his face as says “an ATM” in such a menacing way, Harrelson’s character eyes drop and he knows it’s all over, he probably knew that the second he heard Chigurh but that moment of realization when he absolutely knows he can’t talk himself out of it, man it’s disheartening
John Henry Boscarino
March 27, 2021 at 10:51 am - Reply
Just watching it now on regular TV and your analysis of that scene is spot on. You can see the crazy in his (Chigurh’s) eyes and face and the fear in Carsons.
Deserved it’s Best Picture win and should have won The Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture Drama and BAFTA award for best film but lost both to Atonement(which is good but not on No Country’s level).
@Randy–I have no problem with No Country winning. It is a brilliant film — one of the best best picture winners of all-time…but the critical consensus (and I) actually think There Will Be Blood was the best film of 2007
Did a recent watch and you’re right about the narrative/plot almost driving itself and really it’s the $2 million in cash that serves as a character in itself. I’m not really sure if the $2 million in cash should be considered a Macguffin (Hitchcock)? None the less the story flows so well without any contrived drama or any subplots as they would really serve no purpose in a film like this.
The gas station scene is truly an all time great scene, the way it builds tension up until the point where the poor attendant correctly (thankfully) wins the coin flip.
The Woody Harrelson scene in the hotel is probably the 2nd best scene in the film. Superb acting from Bardem and Harrelson. When Harrelson’s character offers to take him to an ATM and pay him $14 grand Chigurh just smiles/basically laughs in his face as says “an ATM” in such a menacing way, Harrelson’s character eyes drop and he knows it’s all over, he probably knew that the second he heard Chigurh but that moment of realization when he absolutely knows he can’t talk himself out of it, man it’s disheartening
Just watching it now on regular TV and your analysis of that scene is spot on. You can see the crazy in his (Chigurh’s) eyes and face and the fear in Carsons.
@John Henry Boscarino- thanks for visiting the site and the comment- such a great scene!
I’m eagerly awaiting the sequel, No Country for Oldman, whose plot primarily consists of Anton Chigurh chasing Gary Oldman out of the country.
Haha just kidding.
Hahaha. This is great.
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