Best of the Decade #3: No Country for Old Men (2007)
It’s funny to think that two of the decades greatest villains came out of movies that were being filmed simultaneously in the same Texas desert. I’ve read reports that the plumes of black smoke emitting from the set of Paul Thomas Anderson’s There Will be Blood actually interfered with the filming of the Coen Brothers’ Academy Award winning No Country For Old Men. I wonder if this occurrence inspired any friendly competition between the two crews during production? If so, certainly not as much as the 2007 awards season. Worthy opponents indeed.
Although No Country For Old Men seems to raise more questions than answer them, it still managed to generate a pretty heavy buzz amongst mainstream cinema-goers. I remember seeing it in the theatre and once the closing ‘Directed by’ credit hit the screen, a few audience members voiced their disdain towards the film’s blatant ambiguity. I can only assume the same feeling ran through the minds of most when one of the film’s main characters takes an unexpected turn for the worse, changing the entire dynamic of the story. Clearly these unconventional twists and turns are what drew the Coen brothers to Cormac McCarthy’s source material. Although I haven’t read the novel, it’s my understanding that the film is quite faithful, yet the Coens still manage to inject some of their trademark humour throughout.
That’s not to say everything rests on heady philosophizing, as there are some great action/suspense set pieces scattered throughout the film. The dog chase in particular stands out as a humorous yet terrifying moment. The success of No Country For Old Men rests on the pure talent it attracted. The performances — Javier Bardem and Josh Brolin certainly steal the show — Roger Deakins’ beautifully subdued cinematography, and Carter Burwell’s minimalistic ’score’ — or lack thereof — all add up to one of the best films of the decade.
Check out previous entries from our Top 20 Films of the ’00s.
Comments (49)
This film got me back into the Coens, it’s just so well made.
Posted by Nick Robertson on December 29th, 2009I would have preferred There Will Be Blood win the best picture and PTA win best director but Day-Lewis winning best actor and Javier Bardem winning best supporting was a great justice in the film world.
The first comment…really? wow what an honor. You guys are spot on here, “No Country for Old Men” deserves this high placement on the list. I remember the first time I saw the dog chase scene I was so blown away by it that I think I actually laughed unconsciously just to relieve some of the tension that scene created. I too was somewhat surprised by the ending (which is a sign of a good one) but not let down. I Loved Tommy Lee Jones in this, and at the end he is a man who realizes that he is simply outmatched in a world that doesn’t make sense to him anymore. Great pick, and the podcast where filmjunk
Posted by xego on December 29th, 2009reviews this one is one of the best.
Damn it!
Posted by xego on December 29th, 2009…and the look on Chigurh’s face when he’s strangling that cop with the handcuffs still gets me.
Posted by Nick Robertson on December 29th, 2009Interesting… was expecting this to be number 1.
Posted by RaphNL on December 29th, 2009Haven’t seen Children of Men on the list yet so i’m assuming that will be #1.
Posted by Drew on December 29th, 2009One of my all time favourites <3
Posted by Dom_G on December 29th, 2009Good choice – would be my number 3 too.
Posted by Billy Boyd Cape on December 29th, 2009BTW Jay it is spelt Coen – not Cohen. Yeah I knit pick.
Oh and obvi The Wrestler will be number 1. I can smell it.
Posted by Billy Boyd Cape on December 29th, 2009Pffft Braveheart is going to be number 1. That movie rocks.
Posted by Itchy-Finger on December 29th, 2009I have a lot of problems with this film.
The scene were Woody goes right to the bag, WTF?!
The scene were Anton walks directly in to a corporate tower / office and takes out the CEO, no before or after scenes. WTF?!
I haven’t rewatched, but the connecting ductwork between the two separate hotel rooms made me angry too. A system like that, for that type of hotel does not exist. (I’m an architect and ductwork abuse for plot convenience drives me nuts)
Just to many conveniences to overlook, sorry.
Yes, the tension and acting was great.
Good film, not up to par with early Coen Bros, not best of decade.
Posted by rus in chicago on December 29th, 2009You guys just might redeem yourselves yet.
Posted by Soop on December 29th, 2009Great film, actually one of my all time favourites. I am normally very sceptical about films based on books I have read beforehand but this film is not only faithful to the scource material it is also on par concerning the quality – and I adore Cormack McCarthy like few other writers.
Posted by Eisensammler on December 29th, 2009Rus, I think we’re all waiting for a “Best Duct Work of the 00’s” list from you.
Posted by Rusty James on December 29th, 2009Worst Duct Work of the 00’s†list:
No Country for Old Men
Paul Blart Mall Cop
Star Trek (water tube with convenient release valve, but little water?!)
D.E.B.S. (you can literally walk down these)
Best All Time
The Shawshank Redemption
Posted by rus in chicago on December 29th, 2009Brazil
Aliens
Pineapple Express
Quality movie, but imo the best film of 2007 is undoubtedly There Will Be Blood.
Posted by AlexG on December 29th, 2009“Star Trek (water tube with convenient release valve, but little water?!)”
Did you also complain that the guy with the red shirt died?
Posted by Henrik on December 29th, 2009it was a red interstellar jumpsuit with matching helmet
Posted by rus in chicago on December 29th, 2009I guess the wrestler is number one huh? It was good but not that good. And yes you all have ignored a huge number of films from the beginning of this decade.
That being said I do agree with this and its ranking. IMO the best film of this decade is The Lives of Others.
Posted by The Man on December 29th, 2009‘And yes, you all have ignored a huge number of films from the beginning of this decade.’
Such as?
Posted by Greg on December 29th, 2009It must be awesome for certain filmmakers at this time of year. All they have to do is go to any film website or blog and find out how they’re faring against the other films of the year or even decade. For me, that’d be a bigger barometer of success than an Oscar.
Posted by Nick Robertson on December 29th, 2009I’d say ‘Vertical Limit’ will be #1.
The Wrestler better be no. 1 in my opinion.
The Lives of Others is sentimental tripe.
Posted by Henrik on December 29th, 20091. Memento
2. The Wrestler
Just a shot in the dark here
Posted by Jim the Movie Freak on December 29th, 2009I remember an older couple was there seeing the film when my podcasting buddy Zack and I were there for a matinee. They told me that they enjoy the Coen films and were looking forward to No Country For Old Men. I don’t think they walked out. That’s really what I love about the Coen stuff, for the most part, it’s not crass it’s smart and often very slapstick and funny. Which is nice in this day and age.
Posted by Ian on December 29th, 2009One of the best movies in my opinion as well.
I’m new to this site (having just found it), and am very pleased after having spent much time at some other popular Movie/TV blog sites.
Unlike many of those others, I’m consistently seeing a respectful and humble approach to criticizing films here. Unlike the unbelievably arrogant, condescending, and narcissistic, self-importance that is so prevalent elsewhere.
Great site. Thanks for it!
Posted by Cufford on December 29th, 2009“The Wrestler better be no. 1 in my opinion.
The Lives of Others is sentimental tripe.”
The lives of others is sentimental (I won’t use “tripe” because I don’t believe either film is) but the Wrestler isn’t? Ugg….
Better films released Early in the decade Filmjunk Missed so far.
American Movie (2000)
Requiem for a Dream (2000)
The Twilight Samurai (2002)
Memento (2003) Although I’d be shocked if this wasn’t on here
Kill Bill vol 1 & 2 (2003/2004) both better than Inglourious Basterds
The Host (2005)
Adaption (2002) Charlie Kaufman’s best film period
Ghost World (2001)
The Bourne Supremacy (2004)
Insomnia (2002)
Minority Report (2003)
In the Bed Room ( 2004) Better than the little Children
Audition (2001)
The More I think about this list, the more I want to say fuck this list. But I respect film junk to much. Because goddamn it, Sean read’s those Emails so good.
Posted by The Man on December 29th, 2009American Movie is from 1999, actually. I’m certain it would have been top 20 if it had been of this decade.
I’ll run through some of your list as I wait for a CD to rip, since you took the time to make a list of your own
Requiem for a Dream – Its been forever since I’ve seen it but I’m not a huge fan of this movie. Like Fincher’s Seven, I think its the last half hour of the movie that makes it stand out, and the rest of it is merely “okay” to me.
I love both Kill Bill movies but I don’t think either was even in my top 50. We’ll be releasing our top 50 lists I think and I hope at least a couple will remind people just how many movies came out this decade. I also rewatched Basterds today and definitely think its a stronger film.
Adaptation will be very very high on my top 50
I completely forgot about Ghost World, which will make Rusty James happy.
No Bourne movie was on my list, but I think Ultimatum is the best one, and United 93 is the best Greengrass movie.
I initially hated Insomnia but love it now, but still think its in the middle of the pack for Nolan, his resume is that strong already. I’d have put the Prestige over it.
I like Minority Report a little bit less every time I see it.
In the Bedroom is mostly fantastic, but I still think Little CHildren is superior and more rewatchable.
I havent seen Audition but I bought it for a friend for Christmas and will thus be borrowing it off of said friend.
I also forgot about the Host, and that’s because I thought it was kind of forgettable. I think Jay had it on his list though.
Posted by Goon on December 29th, 2009btw Memento is from 2000
Posted by Goon on December 29th, 2009American Movie was ‘99, otherwise it would definitely be on the list.
As for most of those movies you listed, they are all fine choices and will be represented on many of our personal lists. Never heard of The Twilight Samurai though.
Posted by Sean on December 29th, 2009I understand rus’ duct complaints, I get annoyed when things I know better about get fucked up in movies.
One thing I’m sure most people have noticed is on TV and in a lot of movies if someone is playing a video game, its not the right music, in fact usually classic arcade music. So you see them with a Playstation controller and yet the Donkey Kong or Yar’s Revenge noises are playing.
Posted by Goon on December 29th, 2009Goon your wrong for the most part but fine. You should have put the Simpson’s Movie on your list to piss Jay off though.
Posted by The Man on December 29th, 2009Also Goon on Little Children Vs In the bedroom. I actually agree with you that Little Children is more rewatchable. Simply because its less heavy than In The Bedroom. But I think In The Bedroom a better acted and more substantive film.
Posted by The Man on December 29th, 2009“You should have put the Simpson’s Movie on your list to piss Jay off though.”
No need when every pick causes at least one “fuck you guys”
Did you see In the Bedroom before Little Children? I saw ITB BECAUSE of Little Children. It’s possible with that director’s style that whichever you see first may be more fresh/enjoyable.
Posted by Goon on December 29th, 2009@Rus
As for your duct complaints …this might apply if we were in the 80’s or 70’s where they would have(for no reason) a big elaborate duct system where the hero could remove a few screws and escape or overhear the bad guys plans, i think the Coen’s use of the convenient duct is within reason.
“The scene were Anton walks directly in to a corporate tower / office and takes out the CEO, no before or after scenes. WTF?!”
The way I remember it, they had hired Anton, and he was pissed that they had hired Woody, doesn’t seem a stretch to me that he would show up there to settle it in his own fashion.
I can understand someone not liking the film because it isn’t escapist entertainment; the good guys die too. It has an unfairness that closely resembles life more than the Hollywood we have come to know. But disliking it on the grounds that you have stated I don’t get? Stay in Ferngully and leave the rough country to us ruffians…don’t pay any mind Rus I’ve been drinking so I get a pass..k?
Posted by xego on December 29th, 2009Mr. The Man
so was that your actual top 10 or so… what does your actual list look like… I’ll lay down a flat challenge that any cinephile even putting down a top 50 is going to end up cutting a lot of movies they love, enough that will generate “Tsk tsks” from other cinephiles.
Posted by Goon on December 29th, 2009That wasn’t my actual Top 10. I have to think about it. I know that every list will be argued and criticized. But that’s part of the fun. Maybe I’ll write in or something with my top 10.
Posted by The Man on December 29th, 2009@Goon– the video game music thing is a big pet peeve of mine, too!
And since I’m a nature nerd… I hate when animals (especially birds) have the wrong noises/SFX. Which is why Terrence Malik is awesome.
Posted by Falsk on December 29th, 2009Its a well known fact that architects make the best screenwriters.
Posted by Nuno on December 29th, 2009To xego,
The point of my criticism of the film is valid. Part of the appeal of this film is in the fact it is based in a real place and time with real characters except for Anton that is almost supernatural in his coldness. By being a film set in the real world the level of “suspension of disbelief” is lower than other films; things have to add up in the context of the film world the filmmakers offer, they set the rules.
In the scene were Anton kills the CEO I understand the reason but I don’t buy the way it is presented and the fact the Coen Brothers expect me to believe it was that easy for Anton. Likewise, simply having Woody’s character go directly to the hidden case is also sloppy filmmaking. Both were probably done in the editing room for film length but it failed for me.
The ductwork use fails (even thought it is probably from the book) as we all know a one inch gap allows sound to travel between spaces efficiently. Here the rooms share a 1 foot duct. Each room would have separate ducts coming off a furnace, but more likely thru-wall individual units. It’s just sloppy filmmaking in a film that by design is supposed to be taken as occurring in the real world. This sloppy filmmaking is why it isn’t on my “tops of the decade” or Coen Brothers list.
I’ll ignore your reference to me being a person that should stick to lighter fair as I’ll take anyone here on, in a discussion of any type of film.
Posted by rus in chicago on December 29th, 2009Try reading your post out loud. Like I said I can sympathize with the annoyance, but its weird to write off the film as a whole over.
I suppose I should start hating American Graffiti because Mythbusters debunked the cable being able to pull the wheels off the police cruiser? I mean seriously.
Posted by Goon on December 30th, 2009where did I say I was writing it off? YOU read my post #11 aloud:
“Good film, not up to par with early Coen Bros, not best of decade.”
Posted by rus in chicago on December 30th, 2009I have a feeling Memento will be numero uno. Requiem would be my top billing but hopefully it’s Wrestler and Memento as 1 and 2, respectively.
Where the fuck is the podcast!? You’re killing me!!!
Posted by Nick Robertson on December 30th, 2009@rus in chicago: I wasn’t sure you were being completely serious in your criticisms of this movie since I seem to remember you being one of the people giving me grief about my inability to “suspend my disbelief” at the science in science fiction films. Ha ha. But I suspect that you hold “drama” films to a higher scrutiny, and I can respect that.
In all honesty, I don’t think that poor science actually ruins my enjoyment of a film. I just find it an interesting aspect to discuss.
Posted by Reed Farrington on December 30th, 2009@Cufford: Unfortunately, I find comments posted by some readers of Film Junk to be “unbelievably arrogant, condescending, narcissistic, and self-important.” Ha ha.
Film Junk’s choices for best movies of the decade are only a consensus of Sean, Jay, Greg, and Goon’s opinions. If anyone wants to criticize and comment on Film Junk’s choices, that’s great, but it would be nice to read what it is about a movie that makes it undeserving as rus in chicago has done for this movie. And if someone feels he or she has better choices, then it would please me if the person would try to explain what makes his or her choices special.
I am often guilty of only saying that a film is ordinary to me. I guess I would say that for most of Film Junk’s choices. But as I’ve mentioned in the past, I have a hard time ranking films and there are very few films that have had a major impact on me in my five decades of existence.
Posted by Reed Farrington on December 30th, 2009I’m still holding out that it will be Children of Men in the top spot. But with Memento and The Wrestler both not on the list so far I highly doubt it will. I also had hopes that Primer would get in there. Maybe I missed the honorable mentions post.
Posted by Rusty on December 30th, 2009Reed. I guess I didn’t articulate my thoughts clearly. I was referring to the authors of the site, not the viewer comments.
Of course, any time you enable viewers to comment you’re going to get the full range of personalities.
I was simply referring to the site’s articles and those who write them and pointing out that, in my opinion, I was not seeing the arrogant, condescending, narcissistic approach to film critic that, to me, so poisons the well at some other popular sites of this nature.
Posted by Cufford on December 30th, 2009This list is fun, but I think it will be more fun and interesting when we get to see each of the individual lists.
Posted by Mason on December 30th, 2009Cufford, you were quite articulate and I did understand you for complimenting the authors of the site. I just took your comment as an opportunity to take a swipe at some of the viewer comments.
I was sort of afraid that your comment was spam as I’m prone to replying to those types of comments. Ha ha. Thx for visiting again!
Posted by Reed Farrington on December 30th, 2009@ Sean
The Twilight Samurai is one of the best films I’ve seen this decade for sure. I highly recommend it and a film I believe the same director made after called Hidden Blade.
Posted by The Man on December 30th, 2009Leave a Reply