Posted: Mar 27, 08 8:42am
I finally got out to the video store and was able to get my grubby little paws on a copy of "No Country for Old Men".
I have not yet read the book, but remember Cormac McCarthy's all encompassing writing style from the novel "All the Pretty Horses" which he published in the early nineties. Knowing that the screen play was based on his writing, as well as having a past appreciation for all things Coen, I almost felt as if I was setting myself up for disappointment.
I was not disappointed.
The Coen brothers, once again, sucked me up, ran me through a wringer and emotionally hung me up to dry.
It's easy to see why this movie took top awards this year.
I'm not sure what it is that is so compelling about the Coen brothers' work. There's a huge love/hate relationship going on between them and their audience.
Everyone loved "The Big Lebowski" and "Oh Brother Where Art thou."
Everyone hated "The Lady Killers" and "Blood Simple".
And everyone either loved or hated "Raising Arizona" and "Miller's Crossing".
When I saw "Fargo", I hated it. Then I watched it again. Now I love it.
The one that I love the most is "Barton Fink". I have no explanation for this. It toyed with me emotionally and manipulated me ruthlessly. Movies that do that, are usually the ones I love most.
Which Coen film does it for you?
