Do you remember those villains? The ones that impacted you to the point that you will never forget their evil stare or their harsh words. Well, have I got a villain for you. This picture is a refreshing take on an overdone plot dealing with drugs, drug money, drug dealers, drug armies, the law, innocent bystanders, and of course, the associated hit men. It is one particular hit man, Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem), that takes this picture to another level. He is one of the smartest, fiercest, coldest, most methodical and ruthless killers to ever draw blood on the big screen. “Just how dangerous is he?” “Compared to what? The bubonic plague?” It will not be surprising to see Javier get an Oscar nomination for this role. Yeah, it was that good. This story is really simple, but the way the story is laid out both visually and verbally is what makes this movie so special. The performances by Tommy Lee Jones as Sheriff Ed Tom Bell, Josh Brolin as Llewelyn Moss, and Javier were stunning. Independent films usually rely on quality performances to keep it afloat and this one is no exception. Heck, this movie doesn’t even have any background music (or what I call intensity music) to help increase the intensity of a scene so it really relies on the acting and the camera to keep you tuned in and it does a great job of that. Actually no, I’m wrong, gun fire IS the intensity music.

Llewelyn Moss, a humble Texan and war veteran, is out hunting one day near the Rio Grande. As he tries to track down one of his victims, he stumbles upon the aftermath of a drug deal gone way wrong. A bunch of dead bodies, pick up trucks, and bullet shells mark the spot. As he cautiously investigates he finds a truck load of drugs and later finds a case full of cash . . . about $2 million actually. With no one alive around to claim the treasure, he takes the money for himself. Bad move. Shortly after not only does he get the Mexican drug armies and the law after him, he is unfortunate to have Anton on his tail as well. Struggling to survive, Llewelyn is determined to escape with the money. Sheriff Bell comes into the picture as the dead bodies are popping up everywhere and there seems to be some link to Llewelyn due to his truck being found at the original crime scene. Sheriff Bell seems to always be one step behind, but he continues to inch closer and closer to tracking down Llewelyn and the mystery man, Anton.

This film is visually stimulating. The camera shots and angles give the viewer an interesting perspective of the action. It truly accentuates the story and the acting. There are some appropriately gloomy brown views of the open hilly fields in Texas that transport you. That along with the other locations such as your rinky dinky roadside motels to your humble trailer parks help you relate to the characters and their circumstances. The way the camera is used around Javier heightens Anton’s power of intimidation. Overall, the acting is stimulating as well. Josh Brolin has given one of his best performances ever with this role. You are right by his side cheering him on all the way and he does put up a good fight.

If you are the type of person that doesn’t like those funky endings that leave you saying “huh?” or “what?” or “that’s it?”, be warned. I heard those words from a few people in the theater including out of my own mouth. But don’t worry, the rest of the movie is good enough to help cover this discrepancy. Or maybe I just missed something. I haven’t read the book and from what I’m hearing the movie is very true to the book so it is meant to end that way. I don’t know, you decide and let me know. As for the Directors Coen, Ethan and Joel (Raising Arizona, Fargo, The Big Lebowski, Intolerable Cruelty, The Ladykillers), add this one to their resume under highly praised works. Anton asked one of his potential victims: “What's the most you ever lost on a coin toss?” Well if this coin toss leads you to not see this movie, you will lose the experience of watching a work of art.
 

Review By Cine Marcos 
cinemarcos@smartcine.com

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