I ended up with some time on Saturday night after the Pycon 2008 conference so I went to a movie. I figured I would go to a movie that only I would like - something intellectual and arty. So I went to "No Country for Old Men" as the time was right and I had no idea what it was about.
First the good news
The acting was excellent - there were many richly developed characters and there was plenty of on-screen time for the characters to develop. The filmography was superb - it transported you to wherever they wanted you to be - the feeling of Texas - the vastness - the solitude. The feeling of isolation when you are running away - the lighting to enhance the scene - all superb. The editing was excellent - they moved from scene to scene nicely - not so quick as to get you all excited - but at the same time not obsessing on any one moment - just enough for you to fully comprehend and reflect - and then on to the next scene.
Now the bad news
The plot left me a little wanting. Usually when you get to know a bunch of characters very deeply - you want the characters to interact. This pretty much was one of those buddy/travel films - kind of like "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles" but with a lot of shooting. But the violence was filmed very effectively - again taking you to the place where the film maker wanted you to go.
Overall
I am glad I went to this move and paid a bunch of money at the theater to see it. I am also glad that no one came with me to see the film. Under my geek/Star Wars fan exterior - I very much appreciate the film as art form. My first class in college was a literature and film class (ENG347) which explored a bunch of black and white films by Francois Truffaut. This film reminded me of film as art.
Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/François_Truffaut
The cynic in me wants to assume that this was done primarily for the Academy Awards - almost like some comedies are a series of sketches - this almost felt like a series of really good acting/film class final projects submitted to the academy on a single reel. But it cleaned up at the Academy Awards - it is hard to argue with success.
But I do not want to end on a negative tone - this film was art and well acted - and I was happy to pay my $10 ticket and $10 popcorn to see it but I won't buy the DVD and suggest that you only go to see it if you appreciate the art form - and yes it is plenty violent.
Posted by csev at March 16, 2008 11:06 AM