Film Review: No Country for Old Men

Even if the box office numbers are not showing it, No Country for Old Men is one of the most universally praised films in a long while. Critics absolutely adore this film, the latest from the Coen brothers. Though I typically love the work of the Coens, I did not see the same greatness that the critics saw in this movie.

No Country for Old Men is a very artistic and thoughtful film. This can be attributed to the subtly deep storyline and subtext and its art-house presentation. It is intellectually entertaining, but at the same time it does have intense moments of tension that electrify the senses.

Suspense is perfectly executed in No Country. I cannot remember a film where so many scenes were so involved and powerful. Many times you know exactly what is coming, but the way that it is drawn out you are left on the edge of your seat in heated expectation. These scenes include the standard “what is going to happen” to several scenes of dialogue that bleed with anxiety.

Dialogue is another great part of the movie. The Coens have always been masters of it, and even as they work from material that is not their own that is evident. Speaking is kept to a near minimum, but is the driving force telling the story. Still, even with these two excellent qualities I could not help but feel something was missing.

I understand that the Coens were working very faithfully to their source material. The plot was lacking in the sense that it never got fully engaging. Every once in a while you care what happens (suspenseful scenes), but for the most part it is an unsatisfying experience. The film is character-driven, but its great characters (excellent villain in particular) are not enough to make it worth the price of a ticket. Their grim outlook on human life is not exactly exciting either.

I know that I am almost alone in my stance on No Country for Old Men. Almost every critic loves it, and it will certainly win a ton of awards. Even though I enjoyed its message and themes (I do feel I missed some), I did not enjoy the movie as a whole. My recommendation is not to see this average film posing as a classic.

5/10