This movie by the Coen brothers looked soooooooo good when the previews came out, I could not wait to see it. Unfortunately, in my Podunk area, movies like this rarely make the theatre, or don't last, so of course I missed my opportunity.
So I rented it as soon as it came out.
It delivered. Josh Brolin plays Llewelyn Moss, and retired welder who, when out hunting, discovers a drug deal gone bad out in the desert. There he discovers some vehicles, a bunch of dead drug dealers, a few guns he picks up, a truckfull of heroin, and a satchel full of money.
The one thing about a satchel full of money, when it comes up missing, people come looking for it. And they send Anton Chigurh, played by Javier Bardem. Then the intrigue begins.
Tommy Lee Jones plays sheriff Ed Tom Bell. He's just wonderful in the role as a Texas lawmen, bent on getting to the bottom of things, using his wit, but questioning why.
Josh Brolin is great as Moss. Ex Vet, Texas hard, set in the 80's not back down type of guy. This is probably the first role I've liked him in, so kudo's to him.
But the real star was Javier Bardem, as the hitman Anton Cigurh. He carries around the bolt used to kill cattle in a slaughterhouse. It is run by compressed air, and shoots a bolt out, thus knocking out a circular piece of the skull, forcing it into the brain, and it rattles around there, thus killing the animal. It also works on locks.
But this guy is so creepy, he scared me, and I knew he was a work of fiction. He's incredible in the role, and really set the movie. His character is crazy good.
The positives of the movie are the actors. They sold it, and drew you into them. You wanted to know more, and you wanted to see more, and they were so good they made you fill in their life story.
The characters developed were awesome. They sucked you in. You couldn't wait to find out what happened to each one. You actually feel bad when bad things happen.
The movie was set in 1980, and the outfits fit the era. Cowboy boots, ugly shirts, jeans...its how I pictured Texas then. The vehicles were also period true.
The only thing I didn't care for was the ending. It was pretty open ended. I'd have liked to have seen it a little more tied up, but thats just me.
It was a great flick. I was sitting on the edge of my seat, and not just because of my back.
I give it 9 out of 10 kilo's on this. Definitely worth renting, I shall be buying!
