Viewers discovering this rattling, pensive American thriller on DVD late in the game may have a hard time seeing its splendor through the fog of hype and Best Picture mythology, but rest assured this Coen Bros. thriller is as solid as they come. And even more importantly it reestablished the Bros. as the movie masters we all discovered them to be back in their Fargo glory days. Several bad films and one horrendous Tom Hanks impersonation of Colonel Sanders later, they were nearly counted out. Cut to 2007 when Javier Bardem in a peculiar bowl cut reminds us why we loved the Coens for their offbeat choices and signature style all those years ago. It's also, very honestly, a superb piece of filmmaking. Perhaps it wasn't really the best movie of the year (I ranked it #8 on my top 10 this year), but don't hold its sweeping acclaim against it. For those who don't yet know, the central premise involves a ruthless assassin (Bardem in his Oscar winning role) tracking down an average joe who stumbled upon a stash of drug money (Josh Brolin). Hot on both their trails is a humble local sheriff with a genuine desire to do right in an increasingly bleak modern landscape (Tommy Lee Jones). Also worth a mention is Scottish actress Kelly Macdonald who has been mostly overlooked here as Brolin's innocent wife, but actually delivers some of the film's mot impassioned speeches and clinches the film in a climax as chilling as it is delicate and beautiful.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
DVD of the Week: No Country for Old Men
Viewers discovering this rattling, pensive American thriller on DVD late in the game may have a hard time seeing its splendor through the fog of hype and Best Picture mythology, but rest assured this Coen Bros. thriller is as solid as they come. And even more importantly it reestablished the Bros. as the movie masters we all discovered them to be back in their Fargo glory days. Several bad films and one horrendous Tom Hanks impersonation of Colonel Sanders later, they were nearly counted out. Cut to 2007 when Javier Bardem in a peculiar bowl cut reminds us why we loved the Coens for their offbeat choices and signature style all those years ago. It's also, very honestly, a superb piece of filmmaking. Perhaps it wasn't really the best movie of the year (I ranked it #8 on my top 10 this year), but don't hold its sweeping acclaim against it. For those who don't yet know, the central premise involves a ruthless assassin (Bardem in his Oscar winning role) tracking down an average joe who stumbled upon a stash of drug money (Josh Brolin). Hot on both their trails is a humble local sheriff with a genuine desire to do right in an increasingly bleak modern landscape (Tommy Lee Jones). Also worth a mention is Scottish actress Kelly Macdonald who has been mostly overlooked here as Brolin's innocent wife, but actually delivers some of the film's mot impassioned speeches and clinches the film in a climax as chilling as it is delicate and beautiful.
