Films/DVD Asylum

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

70.249.139.73

This Post Has Been Edited by the Author

In Reply to: RE: 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. There was dead silence culminating from the intensity leading up to the film's conclusion followed by a delayed "huh?" reaction as the credits started rolling at the end. In fact, it's conclusion was so abrupt 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'd still recommend this film for the superb 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 symbolism and home-spun existential philosophizing.

Follow Ups:

I know what you mean... - mkuller 11:30:54 11/21/07 (0)