No Country for Old Men

This film by the Coen brothers is sheer brilliance. By far the best movie I've seen this year, and the hype did not exceed the delivery. Where to begin with a movie this exceptional? I'll begin with the story, because that is the glue that holds the other pieces together. The story is based on a novel by Cormack McCarthy. This means nothing to me other than he won the Pulitzer for fiction in 2007 for The Road and his book was picked once by Oprah. It is a truly compelling story set in 1980 rural Texas about a simple man who finds a bag of money that turns out to be Pandora's Box.

The Coen brothers deliver this story to the screen in one of the most indescribably genius examples of camera work in recent film memory. The detail offered to each scene overshadows the characters and the story itself building a cinematic landscape of suspicion and intrigue. Even characterless stills of fences or gas stations have an air of building tension simply because of the angles and placement of the camera, or the prolonged hesitance of a shot. They had an intelligent, yet humorous and human dialogue to deal with, but what is far more memorable is the silence that dominates much of the film. The desired effect is perfectly achieved with audibly emphasized footsteps in dirt, or the sound of a truck coming to a stop, or a metal air tank being gently set down on concrete. Their vision comes to life in a way few directors know how to achieve. Their attention to detail is meticulous, and their delivery is flawless.

The acting group take this challenging piece to the next level with stellar performances all around. With the exception of Harrelson, who I have never really cared for, they all rise to the occasion, particularly Brolin and Bardem. If they aren't nominated this year it will be a shame. Bardem's psycho killer is the most riveting antagonist to come to the screen in recent memory, and he absolutely commands the viewer's attention leaving nothing more than a guilty sense of blood lust in his wake. Brolin is masterful as the everyman who finds the satchel of money, knowing all along the trouble that it will bring.

As the conclusion nears, you can't help wanting more. More action, more suspense, more death and more beautiful cinematography. But that just wouldn't be the Coen brothers' style. They end it in the perfect place for this impressively simple yet suspenseful and entertaining ride. Easily the best movie of the year. 10/10.