by Daniel Cummings

Created on: May 20, 2008

The Coen's are back, but don't tell them that

When you think of the two films, Intolerable Cruelty and The Ladykillers, its still hard to believe that they were actually written and directed by the Coen brothers whom before the aforementioned movies were on one of the biggest winning streaks in the history of motion pictures. Creating such instant classics like Miller's Crossing, Fargo and The Big Lebowski, the Coen's were an unstoppable force continuously winning over critics and gathering a legion of fans.

After, what feels like an eternity away from the screen, the brother's return
and most importantly it marks a return to form; this being the Coen's though this is more than a comeback, its yet another instant classic, and a very early contender for film of the year.

The plot takes place in the Texas desert where Llewellyn Moss (Josh Brolin)
comes across a drug deal gone very wrong whilst out hunting. Amongst the carnage Moss discovers a briefcase filled with money that he takes, not realising a cold calculated killer (Javier Bardem) is out to recover the cash at any cost.

When watching No Country For Old Men it is just so difficult to believe the Coen's ever went off the boil. They slip back into what they do best with seemingly considerable ease. That rich, darkly funny dialogue we were once treated too is back, those carefully picked shots that perfectly catch a characters moment are here for everyone to enjoy too, and similarly to Fargo, the brothers use there setting as a character itself beautifully catching the silent mass terrain of the Texas desert.

Fitting nicely into that environment is our protagonist of sorts, Llewellyn Moss, played with real finesse by Brolin who creates a character of few words letting his emotions do most of the talking. Of course we know it probably wont end well for him with Javier Bardem's almost out of this world being on his trail. Spanish born Bardem creates a villain that will be remembered for years to come, a contender for best villain of the decade for sure. His brilliant portrayal is certainly Oscar worthy too.

Rounding up the fine performances is screen veteran Tommy Lee Jones playing the ageing sheriff nearing his retirement day as he (realistically) struggles to keep up with proceedings. Jones once again shows off his excellent acting ability delivering yet another Oscar worthy turn, bringing real humanity to the piece.

As the film reaches it conclusion, there is no denying that some people will be left a little frustrated. But this is a Coen brother's film through and through and the finale that refuses to give in to Hollywood clich if you like (there's no gun-ho shootout's here) is very fitting of their filmmaking craft. Instead we get a more restrained ending that's certainly not happy or even hopeful. It is Jones's sheriff who speaks the last dialogue of the picture as we find him on his first day of retirement, and after he finishes speaking and the credits start to roll with complete silence, the film's title suddenly makes perfect sense. This is No Country For Old Men indeed. Perfect.

Verdict:
The Coen's are well and truly back. This is brutal, violent, poetic, cinema with a dash of humanity thrown in too.

5 Stars

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