I enjoy writing and reading sophisticated reviews that are unique and dont just state the obvious. I...
I enjoy writing and reading sophisticated reviews that are unique and dont just state the obvious. I hope to add many enjoyful reviews and contribute to the great community we have at ciao.
Member since:07.04.2008
Reviews:20
Members who trust:3
All too often I hear tantalizing illusions that adapted screenplays from successful novels make a mockery of the art of literature. Well I can assure those critics with great certainty that they won't be disappointed with the Coen's Brothers faithful adaptation of Comic McCarthy's No Country For Old Men.
1980s Texas, a desolate landscape, bullet-ridden pickups and an opportunity of a lifetime! $2 million stranded in the wilderness from a drug deal gone wrong. Chance, free will and predestination lurched on the footsteps of Vietnam War veteran Llewellyn Moss (Josh Brolin) as local sheriff (Tommy Lee Jones) and homicidal psychopath Anton Chigurich (Javier Barden) becomes the predator and he becomes the prey in his dramatic encounter with destiny.
This gripping thriller highlights the Coens Brothers unprecedented return to form masterminding the art of black humour, simplistic storytelling and idiosyncratic characters which made their earlier work, 'Fargo' and 'O Brother, Where Art Thou?' rise to prominence and prestige. 'No Country For Old Men's' strong evocative storytelling and breathtaking cinematography provide the impetus for phenomenal performances, but have the cast and crew been recognised for their achievements?
Eight Oscar and nine BAFTA nominations, you tell me!
One element of the film which I have great admiration for is its tense, coherent
momentum which creates a thought provoking process in which inevibilty and fate is questioned throughout. The meticulous detail and creative flair embedded into the camera shots are perfectly structured so the films charm and elegance can encapsulate your entire nervous system!
Chirgurh's fate - deciding coin flipping scene, where the suspense is unbearable, symbolizes destiny in a way which is viable to a range of interpretations and just one of the captivating scenes in the film which enthrals you. What pleases me most about my thorough, enjoyable experience is the Coen's brother's rebellious approach towards the conventions and neceresities of a modern film. Evidence. C.G.I … No! An Object of desire … No! Excessive, unneeded use of explosions and violence… No!
The film conveys its messages and intentions by its ambiguous but rewarding tone, perfectly engineered to stimulate and dictate the audiences' emotion. From the offset the barren, Texas landscape, swelching heat and obscure, auspicious lack of music make the audience glued to their seats. Though that is a cliché often overused and exaggerated this is the first film to define its literal meaning!
Another feature of the film is its exhilarating dialogue. Throughout the film the dialogue is delayed then cleverly protracted resulting in this being substantial to the overwhelming, tense atmosphere. When Chirgh and Llweyan Moss first exchange words these devices are used impeccably to reflect the undulations of human thought distinguished between a man content and at ease with the natural world and its inhabitants and a man alienated from a society he doesn't want to be a part off.
The actors' portrayals are outstanding throughout giving a meritorious service to the film, concluding with several world class performances. Josh Brolin, who plays the lead role, gives a fanatic performance as the Vietnam veteran reluctant and determined to retain his money, even when faced with the prospect of meeting the Grim Reaper! His character immediately compels you to identify with his situation as his vulnerability to an irresistible temptation becomes heart rending to watch as fate is foreseen, yet you are driven to ask yourself, what would you do if a life changing prospect was within your grasp, but you knew it had impending dangers?
Every time Bardems Chirgh enters the screen he is magnificently malevolent constructing a chilling, calculated character that injects fear into the audience just by his aberrant appearance. He is incomparable yet movie reviewers persist on comparing his striking performance to Arnold Schwarzenegger's portrayal of the Terminator which is evidently an insult to the actor's admirable achievement in his latest role. The originality and uniqueness of Comic McCarthy's adapted character has formulated a new Hollywood phenomenon. A legend has been born!
Tommy Lee Jones adds to the essence of Hollywood expertise by giving a thorough anticipated performance as a small town sheriff on the verge of retirement yet infatuated with nostalgia, leading him to question the violence and death he has endured throughout his life. His breviloquent moments on screen act as an unidentified voiceover and interpretation of Chirghs unjustifiable actions and immunity to human feelings. His sluggish walk and killer cattle stun gun adds to Tommy Lee Jones potent voice to serve up a feast which you indisputably do not want to finish!
Other notable performances include Kelly McDonald, who forgets her Scottish roots to portray the sweet, loving trailer - park wife Carla Jean, and Woody Harrelson who plays the self sufficient Carson Wells, whom I believe is slightly irrelevant in the plot line but nonetheless remains loyal to the novels narrative.
The irony in that movie critics have became victims of their own expertise, by people criticizing there perceptions of underlying intentions which some say don't exist, is just plain laughable. Films don't get Oscar nominations for nothing; maybe it's the films intellectual quality which makes people miss the point by a light-year or the disruptive baby on monitor which transforms your awaited experience into a living nightmare: Pause, play, pause, play, pause, play but don't be fooled by those disastrous perceptions.
Overall the Coens Brothers masterpiece is an accumulation of questions, embedded into a narrative and interpreting life from a negative viewpoint which ferments a mind-churning experience. The film questions the underlying ruthlessness which is transparent in society and to the extent to which morals are no longer a question of right and wrong but indistinguishable in human nature. Texas acts as the microcosm of the earth which brings together fate and destiny with religious values to leap beyond what science has proven and what science has not.
The film is drowned in obscurity and concealed in Fort Knox but if you want to be rewarded with an undisputable thoroughly enjoyable experience then go and watch this film NOW and let the film dictate your brain to reveal its hidden messages!
Thought provoking, thrilling experience which will inevitably become a classic Hollywood picture.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
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Production Year: 2002 - Thriller - Director: K.C. Bascombe - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Jesse James, Rachel Skarsten, Charles Powell, Linda Purl, Kevin Zegars
Production Year: 2002 - Thriller - Director: Bharat Nalluri, Rob Bailey, Andy Wilson - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Matthew MacFadyen, Keeley Hawes, David Oyelowo, Peter Firth, Jenny Agutter, Lisa Faulkner
Very good review...You have a natural talent for writing good flowing reviews. Thanks. J.
DixieChick10 05.05.2008 21:26
really good review, I was on the fence about watching this film coz it's won awards (they usually suck) but you have made me wanna watch it. Will wait till I get some more money from ciao. Gr8 review. Kirsty. x
Advantages: Strong performances and lack of music supplies chills Disadvantages: It drags and might leave you confused with a feeling that you've been had
May 5th, 2008
exceptional by (13%):
very helpful by (87%):
