If you like the Coen Brothers, go see Romance and Cigarettes. It's hard to find as it didn't get a wide release in spite of having Susan Sarandon and James Gandolfini as stars. That's because it's a bit sacreligious and very pornographic. It's also a musical and funny as hell, except when it's sad and moving.
John Turturro directed it. Believe it or not, you come out of it feeling really good, not like you'd been subjected to a lot of gratuitous violence.
"No Country for Old Men" is a terrific movie. It's true that there is violence, but it is treated much less like typical movie violence, in that it is disturbing rather than exciting. It's also true that there is no closure at the end. But the film is made (following McCarthy's excellent book quite closely) to emphasize that closure is not something we should be expecting. Actions have consequences that are often drastic, and our powers as human beings are distinctly limited. There was no cheering at the end of the movie, but no one in the house where I saw it yesterday left disappointed.
I agree with Max. McCarthy's big theme in "Old Men" it seems to me, is that there is no redemption in violence, no rebukes to evil, no victory for the good guys, just suffering and loss all around. If you don't like realistic violence and do like Javier Belem go see "Love In The Time Of Cholera". It is transformative, magical and real. And, if nothing else, will surely get the Oscar for make up as the two stars age 50 years.
Posted by johnmorris at November 22, 2007 10:52 AMThis was an outstanding film....and I REALLY don't say that very often. It was random chance that I wound up in the theatre watching a movie about a random progression of events. How ironic.
Artfully done and excellent local color.
Posted by Tampa Student at November 22, 2007 11:56 PMto be honest I have to see it again before I judge this film harshly. Great individual performances stand out in my mind. But something didn't quite click. A 2nd viewing is in order. Until then, pull my finger, friendo...
Posted by NYSoxfan at November 23, 2007 08:31 AMIf the movie's anything like the book it's pure unadulterated horseshit. And the book was hyped and praised beyond belief. deus ex machina.
Posted by degustibus at November 23, 2007 04:59 PM'Darjeeling Limited' was pretty good. Anderson puts simple objects in front of you (like say sunglasses), surrounds them by neurotic people, and it's funny. 1-2-3.
Posted by chris65203 at November 24, 2007 12:11 AMI was riveted by Michael Clayton. It is a different kind of movie, one that grabs and holds you without lots of action or violence.
Worth seeing on a big screen!