When you're talking one of the Cohen Brothers best films, you're talking one terrific movie. The plot may be somewhat standard (drug money found and taken, hot pursuit to retrieve stolen money) but there's nothing ordinary about the way these writer/directors turn this frequently told tale on its head. The Cormac McCarthy novel has been turned into a pitch perfect movie that defies genre, offering up some of the best performances and cinematic moments of the year with marvelous writing, photography and direction at every turn.
In a heart breaking performance, Tommy Lee Jones stars as Sheriff Ed Tom Bell who finds himself reluctantly drawn into the aftermath of a drug deal gone wrong. It's local welder Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin) who really reaps the whirlwind, though, when he stumbles onto a scene of carnage with massacred drug couriers, a pick-up truck full of heroin and a satchel crammed with money. Making off with the money, Moss sets into motion a riveting game of cat and mouse with stone cold crazy killer Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem) who's out to recover the bucks. The fabulous Bardem is winning every award and nomination in sight, and it's easy to see why. He turns in a chilling, mesmerizing gem of a performance, playing insane from the inside out. Equally outstanding is Brolin, who makes Moss a compelling character despite his flaws and transforms himself into a refreshingly authentic, rough-at-the-edges leading man. Kelly McDonald co-stars as Moss' hapless wife who's caught in the crossfire as her husband goes on the lam trying to outrun and outsmart a diabolical maniac. Woody Harrelson makes a fun appearance playing a bounty hunter hired to rein in the rampaging Chigurh. There are some truly terrifying moments in this movie, as well as some exquisitely sweet, tender ones. Perhaps only the Coen Brothers could throw together a pneumatic air cattle-gun, a vicious bull terrier, a guy in cowboy boots and a hospital gown, a world weary sheriff, and a couple of creepy, motel/hotel rooms to come up with the perfect movie. Call it.
Things to love about this movie: The Bardem/Brolin tag team, Tommy Lee Jones' wonderful performance, a script to savor, the fact that a coin toss will never be the same.
Things to hate about this movie: How do the Coens make it look so easy??
Pleasant surprise: The marvelous, unexpected final scene
Unpleasant surprise: Not a one in sight (though this movie is chock full of rip roaring surprises)
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