Plot

In 1980 West Texas, Llewelyn Moss, a Vietnam War veteran and welder, discovers the aftermath of a drug deal gone wrong while hunting in the desert. He finds several dead men, a wounded survivor pleading for water, a truck bed filled with heroin, and a briefcase containing $2 million in cash. Moss takes the money and returns home but, feeling guilty, returns to the scene with water for the wounded man, only to find him dead. He is then pursued by two men in a truck but manages to escape.

Anton Chigurh, a hitman hired to recover the missing money, begins tracking Moss. Chigurh is characterized by his use of a captive bolt pistol and his tendency to decide victims' fates with a coin toss. Sheriff Ed Tom Bell investigates the escalating violence, reflecting on the changing nature of crime and his own sense of duty.

As the pursuit intensifies, Moss sends his wife, Carla Jean, to stay with her mother for safety. Despite his efforts to evade Chigurh, Moss is eventually killed. Chigurh confronts Carla Jean, offering her a coin toss to determine her fate, which she refuses, leading to her implied death. Sheriff Bell, disillusioned by the senseless violence, retires, contemplating the challenges of confronting such pervasive evil.

Production

Development and Filming

The Coen brothers adapted Cormac McCarthy's novel, attracted by its themes and narrative style. Filming took place in New Mexico and Texas, with locations including Santa Fe, Albuquerque, and Marfa. Notably, production in Marfa coincided with the filming of Paul Thomas Anderson's "There Will Be Blood," leading to scheduling adjustments due to overlapping scenes involving smoke effects.

Cinematography and Sound

Roger Deakins served as the cinematographer, capturing the stark landscapes of West Texas. The film is notable for its minimal use of music, with composer Carter Burwell providing a sparse score that enhances the tension. Sound editing emphasized ambient noises, such as footsteps and gunshots, to heighten realism.

Themes and Analysis

"No Country for Old Men" explores themes of fate, morality, and the nature of evil. Anton Chigurh embodies a deterministic worldview, often leaving life-and-death decisions to chance through coin tosses. The film also examines the shifting dynamics of hunter and hunted, as characters transition between these roles. Sheriff Bell's reflections underscore a sense of inevitability and the challenges of confronting an evolving and often incomprehensible criminal landscape.

Reception and Legacy

Critical Response

The film received widespread acclaim for its direction, screenplay, and performances, particularly Javier Bardem's portrayal of Anton Chigurh. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 93% approval rating based on 288 reviews. Critics praised its adherence to the source material and its exploration of complex themes.

Accolades

"No Country for Old Men" garnered numerous awards, including four Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Director (Joel and Ethan Coen), Best Supporting Actor (Javier Bardem), and Best Adapted Screenplay. It also won three British Academy Film Awards and two Golden Globes. The film's success solidified its status as a modern classic in American cinema.

Cultural Impact

The film is often regarded as the Coen brothers' magnum opus and has been recognized as one of the best films of the 21st century. In 2024, it was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."