No Country For Old Men DVD Review

"No Country For Old Men" reviews

DVD

No Country For Old Men

Author

anonymous

Date reviewed

2008-05-30 16:50:24

Provider

MRIB

DVD Review

Arguably last year's most lauded film and multiple Oscar winner, No Country For Old Men, comes to DVD - and, since it's armed with a scene near the end that is bound to prompt numerous 'what just happened' remarks, it's a perfect format for the movie.

Based on the best-selling novel by Cormac McCarthy it follows a hunter called Llewellyn Moss (Josh Brolin) who stumbles upon a case a money thanks to a drug deal going wrong. Moss doesn't go to the police with the stolen loot preferring instead to go on the run, unaware that an emotionless killing machine called Anton Chigurh (a quite simply stunning performance by Javier Bardem) is on his tail.

Despite returning to a genre they are more than comfortable with (their never bettered debut Blood Simple shares its pulpy noir feel) this is more of a departure for the Coens than you would expect. It's a typically dark tale and it's beautiful to look at as ever but the typical anarchic humour that they lace into even the most dangerous of situations is sadly absent. Some have said this proves that the brothers are maturing - but it's probably more due to the fact that they are being incredibly respectful of the source material.

It's a shame as it would have been great to see what else they could have done with Bardem's character or Woody Harrelson's brief but memorable cameo as the a cocky bounty hunter.

And because they have respected the book, they have kept intact a scene near the end that is bound to infuriate many an audience member. Their supporters defend the scene (we're not going to spoil it for you) claiming it makes sense thematically, and we guess it does. However, It can't stop it being a bit unsatisfying and it rankles with every viewing - as does Tommy Lee Jones monologue at the end (a rare indulgent moment from the brothers).

These missteps aside, there is no doubt it's a masterful tale and another largely compelling film to add to the brothers' CV.

Unfortunately the acolade-gathering film isn't matched by the extras. You only get a making of and two featurettes.

Copyright © MRIB 2008.