Viewers Call This the Best Western Ever Made: “It’s Perfect”

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The 2007 film No Country for Old Men remains highly regarded as a standout Western thriller of recent times. The Coen brothers directed the movie, which is based on a novel by Cormac McCarthy. The Daily Express highlights its powerful portrayal of violence, questions of right and wrong, and the idea of destiny in a world falling apart.

Okay, so the movie centers around Llewelyn Moss, a really compelling character brought to life by Josh Brolin. He’s a Vietnam vet just trying to get by when he accidentally happens upon the scene of a drug deal gone wrong out in the Texas desert. And, well, he makes a fateful decision – he takes a briefcase containing a cool two million dollars. That’s where things really start to unravel.

His decision kicks off a dangerous series of events, and he’s relentlessly hunted by the hitman Anton Chigurh, powerfully played by Javier Bardem. Bardem’s terrifying performance won him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

Viewers on Rotten Tomatoes have been highly complimentary of the film’s direction and Javier Bardem’s acting. One fan said the movie “guaranteed keeps you on the edge of your seat” and called Bardem’s portrayal of Anton Chigurh “one of the greatest performances of this century.” Another viewer simply described it as a “Perfect film. Every scene. Every line. And the ending. Yes, everything is perfect.”

Tommy Lee Jones gives a strong performance as Sheriff Ed Tom Bell, a lawman troubled by the growing violence around him. The film has been widely praised for its unique structure, mood, and technical aspects, such as the beautiful cinematography by Roger Deakins and the Coen brothers’ choice to use very little music.

The movie No Country for Old Men was a big winner at the 2008 Academy Awards, taking home four Oscars for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actor. It was also nominated for three other awards: Best Actor, Best Cinematography, and Best Film Editing.

Javier Bardem thanked the Coen brothers and his mother, actress Pilar Bardem, when accepting his Oscar, jokingly acknowledging their decision to give him a memorable, and perhaps unfortunate, haircut for the role. Accepting the Best Director award with his brother Ethan, Joel Coen described their filmmaking process as consistently enjoyable, expressing gratitude to audiences for allowing them to continue creating their unique films.

The film has received widespread critical acclaim. Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian declared it the Coen brothers’ best work yet, and Rob Mackie highlighted its consistently engaging and well-acted nature. Geoff Andrew of Time Out London noted the film’s captivating hold from beginning to end. Richard Corliss of Time even named it the year’s best, while BBC critic Paul Arendt gave it a perfect score, calling it a brilliant return to the directors’ signature style.

Although the film received widespread praise, a few critics pointed out some flaws. They noted the absence of a clear main character and a satisfying conclusion. Stephen Hunter from The Washington Post explained that the film lacked depth in its characters, as each one was defined by only a single trait or motivation.

The film has been widely praised by critics, earning a 93% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a score of 92 on Metacritic. It’s considered a masterpiece, and even today, directors like Denis Villeneuve name it as one of their favorite movies, calling it the Coen brothers’ best work.

No Country for Old Men is still considered a landmark film, expertly combining tension, compelling acting, and skillful filmmaking. The movie’s story, performances, and overall mood continue to resonate with both audiences and critics.

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2025-12-19 14:14