McCarthy on "No Country"

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Variety's Todd McCarthy wrote his rave review of No Country for Old Men last night, and here's how it leads off: "A scorching blast of tense genre filmmaking shot through with rich veins of melancholy, down-home philosophy and dark, dark humor, No Country for Old Men reps a superior match of source material and filmmaking talent. Cormac McCarthy's bracing and brilliant novel is gold for the Coen brothers, who have handled it respectfully but not slavishly, using its built-in cinematic values while cutting for brevity and infusing it with their own touch is one of the their very best films, a bloody classic of its type destined for acclaim and potentially robust B.O. returns upon release later in the year." Right on, couldn't agree more.

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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on May 18, 2007 at 11:20 PM

comment #1

Larry says ...

I'll believe it when I see it. All my favorite films of theirs are comedies. When they get into serious genres--yes, I'm including Blood Simple, Miller's Crossing and The Man Who Wasn't There--I think they're vastly overrated.

Posted by Larry at May 19, 2007 12:14 AM

comment #2

dre says ...

This sounds very Blood Simpleish which is a hella good thing in my book

Posted by dre at May 19, 2007 12:20 AM

comment #3

mitch says ...

I didn't enjoy Miller's Crossing, nor did I find Blood Simple to a second viewer, but thoroughly enjoyed The Man Who Wasn't There. The music, mood and cinematography really fit my tastes.

Still, the benchmark for me is Raising Arizona. Damn, how I love that banjo and humming Ode To Joy...I don't know, maybe it was Utah.

Posted by mitch at May 19, 2007 12:28 AM

comment #4

Jayne Gacey says ...

You giving me the hight hat?! The Schmatta! "I didn't care for Miller's Crossing" is the filmic equivalent of "I voted for Bush". It doesn't matter what's said after, my brain shuts off in confusion and rage.

Posted by Jayne Gacey at May 19, 2007 12:57 AM

comment #5

jeffmcm says ...

I've only seen Miller's Crossing once, and after it was my reaction was 'that was okay'. Perhaps those who love it should write an appreciation/explanation for the rest of us when they get their brains turned back on.

Posted by jeffmcm at May 19, 2007 1:14 AM

comment #6

Nate West says ...

Blood Simple, Miller's Crossing and The Man Who Wasn't There, as examples of cosmic irony, are all darkly comic. The Coen response to the universe is the laugh that catches in your throat. I don't know what a serious (i.e., "earnest") Coen Brothers movie would look like. On some level, they're all comedies.

Posted by Nate West at May 19, 2007 3:10 AM

comment #7

Jayne Gacey says ...

jeffmcm, I'm afraid I'm shallow, and it's early, so I will merely say Albert Finney/Tommy Gun/Danny Boy plus Jon Polito and J.E. Freeman giving two of the strangest performances ever. Miller's Crossing is also the only film to fully utilize Gabriel Byrne. He was great in Usual Suspects, but that was a team effort. What Nate said is very true.

Posted by Jayne Gacey at May 19, 2007 4:34 AM

comment #8

Thrudvangar says ...

What's the rumpus?
Great dialogue in MC.
My favorite Coen film.

"If I'd known we were gonna cast our feelings into words, I'd've memorized the Song of Solomon."

Posted by Thrudvangar at May 19, 2007 6:43 AM

comment #9

nemo says ...

"All my favorite films of theirs are comedies. When they get into serious genres--yes, I'm including Blood Simple, Miller's Crossing and The Man Who Wasn't There--I think they're vastly overrated."

You're kidding, right? "Blood Simple" is a comedy!

Posted by nemo at May 19, 2007 7:03 AM

comment #10

Joe Leydon says ...

Jeff: Well, here's what I had to say about it:

http://www.movingpictureshow.com/archives/mpsMillerCross.htm

Posted by Joe Leydon at May 19, 2007 9:26 AM

comment #11

Eddie says ...

Perhaps those who love it should write an appreciation/explanation for the rest of us when they get their brains turned back on.

Seriously, Harry Knowles doesn't do a bad job.

http://www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=7606

Posted by Eddie at May 19, 2007 9:32 AM

comment #12

Chad says ...

haha, Miller's Crossing is the only one of the Coen's movies I DO like. So maybe this one will be the second.

Posted by Chad at May 19, 2007 10:22 AM

comment #13

Malone says ...

MILLER'S CROSSING is world-class genius filmmaking and LEBOWSKI sneaks up on you. Those two along with BARTON FINK are my Coen faves.

Posted by Malone at May 19, 2007 10:48 PM

comment #14

Sean says ...

"I've only seen Miller's Crossing once, and after it was my reaction was 'that was okay'. Perhaps those who love it should write an appreciation/explanation for the rest of us when they get their brains turned back on."

Every single detail of the movie is perfectly considered, planned out, and executed.

I find that the drawback people have with getting into it the first time through is that the plot is at least as dense and intricate as that of 'The Big Lebowski', but with much much less overt humor (Jon Polito is the only openly funny character, I'd say). But the dialogue is such a joy to listen to.

Posted by Sean at May 21, 2007 11:44 AM

comment #15