I feel incredibly lucky that I was able to attend an early screening of NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN, and I'm writing in to join those singing its praises. Like many of you, I am a long time fan of the Coen brothers, and I was greatly anticipating this latest effort. Unlike many of you, however, I was completely unaware that the film is based on the Cormac McCarthy novel of the same name. With this in hindsight, I'd first like to relieve any of you who fear another ALL THE PRETTY HORSES. There is no comparison. While that film frustrated and rambled, NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN enthralls and mesmerizes.

The story begins with a bang as a lone hunter in the brambles of the Texas desert discovers a drug deal gone bad- really bad- and decides it his good fortune when he recovers the case of cash left in the midst of the bloodbath. Soon enough, however, our antagonist, Llewelyn Moss, realizes that what seems too good to be true probably is. It turns out that he and everyone he turns to for help discover themselves on the hit list of a maniacal killer who is after the money
as well. Of course, for the audience this is where the fun begins as a colossal game of cat and mouse plays out across various Texas landscapes with equal parts of cunning intrigue and stunning violence. As the action takes place, we are also treated to the parallel story of the aging and all-knowing sheriff who unravels the case just a step behind us right up until the end where no one, including the audience and main characters, are ahead.

The performances in the film are incredible. As Llewelyn, Josh Brolin delivers just the right amount of smarts and swagger for a leading man on the run. His performance is wonderfully understated and realistic even while dodging figurative and literal bullets. Tommy Lee Jones in
the role of Ed Tom Bell embodies the old school charm and wit of the sheriff who is witness to the degradation of society. His ease with the character is a breath of fresh air and provides not only the sparse comic relief of the film, but the axis of the story as well. Then there's Javier Bardem as the psychotic Anton Chigurh. Words can't describe the raving look in his eyes as he picks off victim after victim without a hint of remorse. Chigurh is a mad man and Bardem portrays him with chilling intensity. Fantastic supporting performances by Kelly Macdonald, Woody Harrelson, and Stephen Root round out the spectacular ensemble cast.

Also worth mentioning is the number of smaller roles by relatively unknown players. As always, the Coens have done a wonderful job in utilizing a number of character actors that actually look like real people. There are very few faces with chiseled features and perfect smiles- no botox, hair plugs, or veneers here. These actors look like everyday people circa 1980 and its damn refreshing.

Perhaps the most enchanting character of the film, however, is the West Texas landscape itself. It seems the Coen brothers have written a sort of love letter to this oft-caricatured region of our country. Beautifully shot by cinematographer Roger Deakins, the vastness of the Texas desert and quaintness of the border towns provide the perfect backdrop and juxtaposition for such a sinister plot.

At its heart, the film is a simple morality tale. Although it is a story about greed and the evils that follow suit, it's not the kind of story that's tied up with a pretty bow at the end. There's a
strange satisfaction with not being completely satisfied by the end of the film. In other words, the film refuses to placate by Hollywood's rules of A-B-C storytelling. NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN follows no rules. It's gritty, it's real, and it's one of the most honest crime dramas
I've seen in a long time.

Until next time, Annette Kellerman.