Fans Hail This Western as a Masterpiece: “Absolutely Perfect”

The 2007 Coen brothers’ film “No Country for Old Men” is still widely praised as one of the greatest films of all time. The adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s novel won multiple Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actor for Javier Bardem, who played the chilling hitman Anton Chigurh.

The story follows Llewelyn Moss, played by Josh Brolin, a Vietnam veteran who stumbles upon a drug deal gone wrong in the Texas desert and takes a case containing two million dollars. This sparks a deadly chain of events, as Moss is pursued by Chigurh, whose cold precision and terrifying presence earned Bardem widespread acclaim. A Daily Express report highlighted Bardem’s performance, noting it as one of the greatest of the century.

Fans on Rotten Tomatoes have praised both the acting and the Coen brothers’ direction. One reviewer said the film “guaranteed keeps you on the edge of your seat” and called Bardem’s Chigurh “one of the greatest performances of this century”. Another fan went further, writing, “Perfect film. Every scene. Every line. And the ending. Yes, everything is perfect.”

The film also features Tommy Lee Jones as Sheriff Ed Tom Bell, a weary lawman struggling to make sense of the rising violence around him. Critics and audiences alike have applauded the movie’s structure, tension, and technical mastery, including Roger Deakins’ cinematography and the Coens’ choice to largely exclude a musical score, heightening the suspense.

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 93% approval rating from 288 critics, while Metacritic gives it a 92 out of 100, indicating “universal acclaim.” Upon release, it was widely expected to be a contender at the Oscars and went on to receive eight nominations. Many critics singled out Bardem’s portrayal of Chigurh, with Peter Bradshaw from The Guardian calling it “the best of the Coens’ career so far” and Rob Mackie noting that the film “feels like an absorbing and tense two hours where everyone is absolutely on top of their job.”

Other critics also praised the film’s grip on the audience. Geoff Andrew of Time Out London said “the film exerts a grip from start to end”, while Richard Corliss from Time named it the best film of the year, commenting on the Coens’ readiness for an Oscar. A.O. Scott from The New York Times added, “for formalists… it’s pure heaven.” Even in Australia, critics Margaret Pomeranz and David Stratton awarded the film five stars, with David noting that “Hitchcock wouldn’t have done the suspense better.”

While most reviews were glowing, some critics pointed out issues, such as a lack of a central character or a climactic scene. Sukhdev Sandhu of The Daily Telegraph criticized Chigurh’s character development, calling it “merely pathological” and accused the film of containing “pseudo profundities”. Stephen Hunter from The Washington Post also noted that the characters were limited to single moral or psychological traits, making the story feel focused on chase rather than development.

The film’s legacy remains strong. In 2023, acclaimed director Denis Villeneuve called it one of his favorite films of all time, describing it as the Coen brothers’ magnum opus. Bardem’s Oscar speech highlighted his gratitude, stating, “Thank you to the Coens for being crazy enough to think I could do that and put one of the most horrible hair cuts in history on my head.”

Joel Coen, accepting the Oscar for Best Director with his brother Ethan, said, “Honestly, what we do now doesn’t feel that much different from what we were doing then. We’re very thankful to all of you out there for continuing to let us play in our corner of the sandbox.”

“No Country for Old Men” continues to captivate audiences with its suspense, performances, and masterful storytelling. Its place in modern cinema is secure, proving that the Coen brothers can turn even the darkest stories into cinematic gold.

The film’s combination of tension, moral complexity, and unforgettable performances makes it a timeless piece of cinema. What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments.