Fantastic film. So many scenes that at first glace seem complete un-needed that have such a significant impact when you look back.
Can understand how some people are a little upset at the ending. For me, I enjoy a more open ending, but this version did seem to drag on a little too far.
Can understand how some people are a little upset at the ending.
I was!! :-(
Really good film though, excellent characters and very tense storyline. Some really nice and subtle funny parts too. Nice to see Kelly McDonald play a Texan so well and a good Woody Harrelson cameo too!
Pleased you enjoyed the film, PGE. The ending is contentious, but I like it; it’s a reflective pause after the intensity that has gone before (and I’m talking about that cattle gun). It's all still swirling round my head now.
Technically brilliant, I don't think I could ever call it "engaging" although I would take little persuasion to call it "overlong".
Rather than Charlie Varrick, I was reminded of Psycho - money / motel / weirdo. / blood
The set pieces were excellent - the opening with Brolin discovering the start of the mystery. The film is, by necessity, repetitive - underlining the routine nature of the hitman - Javier Bardem (with the least flattering hair in any film for a long time). The suspense is truly gripping, although there are a couple of major problems that probably don't matter in the book - most of the major characters are not that likeable, so it is hard to sympathise (Kelly Macdonald - as the wide - and Tommy Lee Jones excepted). Lee Jones as the sheriff is underused, but brings a real sense of normality when he is onscreen.
The real Coen moment for me is the mariachi band in Mexico (if it was a mariachi band).
I expected more - but I have seen far worse. if you like being scared - go see it.
The Psycho comparison is a good one. The way the main protagonist changes (in the case of No Country For Old Men rather closer to the end) is a great filmmaking device and really throws you off your guard.
