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Fresh and original, "No Country for Old Men" is a movie that will linger in the minds of the audience long after they leave the theater. More than just your run of the mill hired killer drama, the casting and performances make this movie stand out as deserving of the four Oscars it received at the Academy awards.

* Oscars awarded:
Best Picture
Best Director- Joel and Ethan Coen

Best Adapted Screenplay- Joel and Ethan Coen
Best Actor in a Supporting Role- Javier Bardem

As good as the story was, without the performances given by Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, and Josh Brolin, the picture would never have garnered so much attention. The only weakness that we noticed was the ending, which betrayed the powerful performances and solid story line enjoyed throughout the movie, leaving us flat and hoping that when the DVD comes out an alternative ending is offered.

Josh Brolin plays Llewellyn Moss, a two tour Vietnam veteran who while out hunting, stumbles across the scene of a drug deal gone bad in the desolate deserts of Southern Texas. His portrayal of a battle hardened and capable survivor is shown in ever greater detail throughout the movie as he decides to keep the two million dollars of drug money left as a result of the carnage.

Llewellyn is not your average hunter out for a weekend outing, which becomes immediately evident as he goes to great lengths to cover his tracks and shake off the inevitable pursuit of the cartel and the several groups of killers who descend to recover the money. Chief among these characters is Anton Chigurh, played by Javier Bardem, who is an assassin with a strange code of ethics.

Masterfully portrayed, the brutality of this lone killer becomes palpable with his curious method of execution and his deadpan expression, which conveys his indifference to life and death. He engages in dialog with most of his victims, taunting them unintentionally with choices that will determine their ultimate fate. Time and again, this harbinger of death beats all the odds and shows up when least expected. Javier Bardem's portrayal is sure to become a classic that will be emulated and talked about for years to come.

Adding the occasional humor of homespun local flavor is the Sheriff, Ed Tom Bell, played by Tommy Lee Jones. It soon becomes apparent to Ed Tom that they are dealing with a different type of killer in Anton Chigurh, who he refers to as "a ghost", arriving at scene after scene of the horrendous aftermath of the killer's passage. The expressions spoken by Ed Tom are priceless, and add authenticity to the movie and its locale. In one scene, when confronted with bullet riddled bodies at site of the first massacre, the sheriff is asked by his deputy, "It's a mess, aint' it, sheriff?" Ed Tom replies, "If it aint', it'll do till the mess gets here."

The minor characters of Llewellyn's wife, Carla Jean, played by Kelly Macdonald and a backup assassin, Carson Wells, played by Woody Harrelson add color to the movie and provide contrast to the offbeat menace portrayed by Javier Bardem.

Rising above the story and the tragedy of seemingly unending murder and pursuit, is the haunting visage of Anton Chigurh, who carries the film with an originality that must be seen to be appreciated. The brilliance of the performance, coupled with the remainder of the strong cast and a compelling story make seeing "No Country for Old Men" an absolute requirement.

Learn more about this author, David Elder.
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