On DVD: No Country for Old Men

 

Created by Joel and Ethan Cohen

Starring Tommy Lee Jones

 

So we are finally getting around to covering the now Oscar winning No Country for Old Men.  Is it really all it's cracked up to be?  Well, in a word, yes.  Let's get into it.

 

The Movie

 

The story, if told straightforward, is a pretty basic one, but this film is more than just it's story.  This film does tell a compelling story but even in this film adaptation it remains completely literal and rather than a beginning, middle, and end, this film is really more of a middle.  A lot happens with these characters on either side of this story but it's not important.  What's important is this snapshot of their lives because in this part of their story they find their lives crossing.  It'll be a series of endings for some, and just a pause in the action for others, but for us, the audience, it's amazingly satisfying.

 

When this film hit theaters I remember people complaining about the ending, but those people aren't true movie fans and they most likely don't have much of an appreciation for literature either.  The ending of the film is one of the best I've seen in years, easily the best of last year.  As I said the film isn't built around a typical formula of beginning, middle, and end, but the ending of the film is still a finality and the characters in the film do get to tell the stories they were supposed to tell.

 

Stylistically this film is stunning and subtle all at the same time.  There's no question this is a Cohen Brothers film but the style doesn't weigh down this slowly paced and sure story.  The cinematography, especially in the first act is gorgeous.  The direction is handled with a sure hand by the Cohen brothers and the acting from Javier Bardem, Tommy Lee Jones, and Josh Brolin is top notch.  Speaking of the acting, Bardem gets all the attention here but Jones does some of his best work, especially at the end of the film.

 

No Country for Old Men is a beautifully executed metaphor, an unconventional western, and a crime film.  It's violent, quirky, and intellectual.  There were only a few must see films last year and this is definitely one of them.  A perfect 10.

 

10/10

 

The Video

 

The anamorphic widescreen presentation is beautiful featuring gorgeous colors and deep blacks.  Detail level is high and grain is kept to a minimum.  Only a hi def version could be an improvement here.  This is the best the film will ever look on a standard def DVD.

 

9.5/10

 

The Audio

 

The Dolby Digital 5.1 presentation here is quite good featuring subtle use of the full surround environment.  Dialogue, score, and effects are well mixed and balanced so there's no need for riding the pot while watching this film.  Where's the DTS presentation?

 

8.5/10

 

The Packaging and Bonus Features

 

The single disc presentation is packaged in a standard amaray case with a slipcover featuring the same artwork on the slipcover and on the box.  The art here is horrible.  It's that typical floating head sort of art usually relegated to films that are desperate to get people's attention.  This film doesn't need that kind of help.  It deserved better art.  The worst part is that the names floating under the heads are mismatched.

 

There are only three featurettes for extras here that all together barely hit 40 minutes.  The featurettes do manage to hit the high points of what we'd like to see in featurettes including the making of the film, a look at what the film is really about, and a look at how the Cohens work together.  The problem is that these extras feel like they are just the start of what should be an entire second disc of extras.

 

5/10

  

Overall (Not an Average) 8.5/10

The Review

The Movie 10/10

The Video 9.5/10

The Audio 8.5/10

The Packaging and Bonus Features 5/10

Overall (Not an Average) 8.5/10

 

Stephen Lackey