Filmania

Review of ‘No Country for Old Men’

The Coen brothers make fine movies. I am a fan of some of their intricate film noirs and zany, touching on surreal, comedies. Their scripts have clever, well thought out plots and the characterization is often brilliant. Sadly, I can recite quite a lot of the Big Lebowski, although, this will never match my knowledge of Monty Python’s Life of Brian.

I knew that ‘No Country for Old Men’ was going to be a return to their dark side. Their first film ‘Blood Simple’ was also set in Texas. The breathtaking vistas of the Texas deserts are stunning and the wild landscape mirrors the ruthless lifestyles of the leading characters. The Coen’s have a fondness for thrusting a harmless underdog into a precarious situation involving money, criminals, violence and in ‘No Country for Old Men’ – a vicious psychopath.

The psychopath, Anton Chigurh, played by Javier Bardem you know is going to be a disturbing character just from the cut of his hair. The added touch that he kills his victims with an air cattle gun adds to his menace. He is one of those European actors, like Jurgen Prochnow, who are able to unsettle the viewer with understatement. Josh Brolin has a powerful, sympathetic presence as the unlucky Vietnam veteran Llewelyn Moss and puts up a noble fight against an unrelenting foe. Tommy Lee Jones as Sheriff Ed Tom Bell is as rugged and off the wall as ever and seems to blend in chameleon-like into the harsh Texas countryside. However, the irony here is that he is not usually an actor known for inaction. While the Sheriff impotently muses over his life and work, a tortuous battle ensues for custody over the $2 million dollars that Llewelyn Moss finds at the scene of a drug deal gone wrong.

Although there is the trademark Coen humour, it is only as fleeting as a tumbleweed in this film. ‘No Country for Old Men’ is another Coen triumph except that the suspense is occasionally lacking for all the horror of the events that unfold. That said it is not a film for the faint-hearted.

I was so looking forward to see Hellboy II: The Golden Army but it turned out to be a bit of a damp squib rather than the fantastic visual display I was expecting.

Ron Perleman manages to remain entertaining as the ornery, rebellious and hot-headed character of Hellboy but everyone else seems a bit pathetic. Luke Goss as Prince Nuala seems to be nothing more than a one dimensional sketch of an Elf-like creature bent on revenge against humanity. What he lacks in personality though he does make up for in martial art stunts.

The film is picturesque and breath taking without substance. The script is stilted and so mawkish in parts I wanted to reach for a sick bag. However, I will no doubt go and see Hellboy III and have yet to see del Toro's 'Pan's Labyrinth' which I am sure will redeem this director.

A while ago I saw a film about blood sucking night creatures called ’30 Days of Night’ and was, overall, not too impressed. However, ‘I am Legend’ is a film on a similar theme but has all the ingredients ’30 Days of Night’ lacked. I can say that it has been one of the most terrifying films I have seen since the Blair Witch Project.

It is a re-working of Richard Matheson’s classic vampire story of the same name and makes uncomfortable viewing. The CGI is impressive and much attention to detail has been given to creating the desolate wasteland of New York post-viral attack. Robert Neville (Will Smith) is the only man alive in this feral city and with his beloved companion, Sam, a beautiful German Shepherd, is the sole focus of the action for much of the film. There is never a dull moment as both Smith and the canine share moments of companionship as they play golf from an abandoned aircraft carrier or hunt the errant deer zig zagging in between the deserted cars in the streets.

The story is pieced together bit by bit and the editing is well done as the viewer learns of the events leading up to Neville’s predicament through Neville’s subjective view point. The series of flash backs add to the suspense and are interspersed between scenes of Neville living a precarious existence; we see him curled up fetal-like in his own bath with Sam and a machine gun at the ready as strange screeches and howls echo in the night. The scenes of gore are minimal and not the focus of the film, whereas, ’30 Days of Night’ relied on a visual blood lust to carry the suspense of the film.

‘I am legend’ has an economical script and is not great on depth but it is poignant and emotive as the viewer witnesses Neville face an overwhelming foe. There is no hint of garlic to over spice this film with unbelievable monsters, these creatures are the creation of humanity itself, which adds to the terror of the almost apocalyptical consequences of the mistakes of science.

I am not sure Will Smith is best cast to cope with the depth of the characterisation but he does well to hold his own out there alone on screen for the most part and his humour is welcome at times to give respite to the terror. The ending is a bit disappointing but considering how well the film has been crafted, it hardly matters.