I can't recommend it as strongly, but it is a powerful film.

Posted by Audiophilander (A) on November 21, 2007 at 11:25:35

In Reply to: No Country for Old Men... posted by mkuller on November 21, 2007 at 09:51:11:

My opinion is decidedly mixed, because I really wanted to like this movie (I hold virtually all Coen Brother films in high regard). While "No Country for Old Men" is brilliant in many ways, with several bravura, perhaps Oscar worthy performances, from a subjective standpoint the film's conclusion was ultimately unsatisfying as entertainment. It was not striving to be a "fun" film, it was striving for greatness; symbolism notwithstanding, as entertainment it left me with mixed impressions.

Most folks in the packed theater where my wife and I caught the movie apparently felt the same way. At the film's conclusion there was dead silence from the built-up intensity followed by a collective "huh?" reaction as the credits started rolling at the end. In fact, it wrapped up so abruptly that it was almost like the film stopped because the projectionist couldn't find the missing last reel!

Of course, other's mileage will most assuredly vary, and I still recommend this film for the film's edginess and cast performances, but with caveats in regard to resolved story expectations. Repeated viewing value? The jury is still out.

Film ***1/2 - ***** (3 1/2 on a 5 star scale); realistic and intensely ironic, but burdened by an overabundance of pretentious symbolism & home-spun existential philosophizing that places greater value on it's ironic elements than it does story resolution.

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - No Country for Old Men... - mkuller 09:51:11 11/21/07 (12)

comments with spoilers - tunenut 15:10:41 11/23/07 (3)

On Woody Harrelson as a tough talking hombre . . . - townsend 21:04:16 11/23/07 (2)

Absolutely. And what was with his white outfits? nt - tinear 16:53:22 11/25/07 (0)

Clearly, Woody didn't look old enough to be a VN vet. * - mr grits 10:06:20 11/24/07 (0)

Also liked it, however.... - troutbum 13:32:07 11/22/07 (2)

Remember, it IS a.... - mkuller 11:52:13 11/23/07 (1)

RE a "Goof" is almost obligatory in a Coen Bros. film - grinagog 19:43:39 11/23/07 (0)

I can't recommend it as strongly, but it is a powerful film. - Audiophilander 11:25:35 11/21/07 (4)

I heard the "collective hunh?" right next to me...... - mr grits 10:13:08 11/24/07 (0)

I know what you mean... - mkuller 11:30:54 11/21/07 (2)

Plus, it's telling the story of the book. (warning, spoilers) - sjb 11:45:42 11/21/07 (1)

The ending was way "literary", like McCarthy; all the foregoing had been filmic. - clarkjohnsen 06:39:46 11/22/07 (0)

Follow Ups

I can't recommend it as strongly, but it is a powerful film. - Audiophilander 11:25:35 11/21/07 (4)

I heard the "collective hunh?" right next to me...... - mr grits 10:13:08 11/24/07 (0)

I know what you mean... - mkuller 11:30:54 11/21/07 (2)

Plus, it's telling the story of the book. (warning, spoilers) - sjb 11:45:42 11/21/07 (1)

The ending was way "literary", like McCarthy; all the foregoing had been filmic. - clarkjohnsen 06:39:46 11/22/07 (0)

I can't recommend it as strongly, but it is a powerful film.

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