No Country for Old Men (2007)

Finally. If I had had the chance, I would have seen this on opening night.

Joel and Ethan Coen have once again proven that they are among the top film makers in history. Their adaptation of No Country for Old Men is introspective and visually exciting at the same time. The writing is highly original, but also keeps us grounded in Texas.

Because of their successful cinematic achievements, the Coens were clearly able to handpick the actors because every single character is compelling, right down to the clerks and passersby (kudos to the casting department). The cinematography and sets exposed a barren landscape of fields, parking lots, and cheap hotel rooms.

The topic of the film really deals with the perceived shift in our society - one of anonymity (as opposed to community), greed (as opposed to helping your neighbour and doing the right thing), and loss of respect for life (as opposed to a belief that life is sacred). The truth is that people really haven't changed much. Atrocities have always been and they always will be. We simply have the choice to decide whether we will stand up for the justice or be bought or scared off.

Of course the way these atrocities express themselves changes with time and place. The Coens created a place I sure don't want to visit (and I've never been too fond of Bush's homestate, though Arcade Fire's frontman was born there), though having a coffee with the Sheriff would be nice.

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