No Country For Old Men: Ending Explained
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- čas přidán 24. 07. 2017
- The Coen brothers’ 2007 film No Country for Old Men is not your typical Western: the hero doesn’t win, or even survive, the villain gets away, and the ending isn’t a shootout but rather a slow, calm, monologue by a character who was the least involved of the three main characters. The final scene, much debated by fans and critics, does however give us a window into the movie’s deeper meaning and the Coens’ pessimistic worldview. Buy or rent the movie on Amazon: amzn.to/2hgRcaO
Works Cited & Consulted:
* "Cormac McCarthy - Subconscious is older than Language." CZcams, uploaded by sdobric. Oct 18, 2014.
* "The Coen Brothers interview on NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN (2007)." CZcams, uploaded by Eyes On Cinema. Sep 23, 2014.
* "Why do we dream? - Amy Adkins." CZcams, uploaded by TED-Ed. Dec 10, 2015.
* "Movies I Love (and so can you): No Country for Old Men (2007) [*Spoilers*] ." CZcams, uploaded by Movies I Love (and so can you). Aug 22, 2013.
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The scene that I really want to know about is the scene where sheriff Bell goes back to the hotel room in El Paso, was Anton actually behind the door or not? Was he there and simply slipped away while Bell was checking out the bathroom?
Thanks Mr.Cohen....er uh Miss Cohen👍
@T. F. 32 You are not capable of deep understanding.
*Why explain something everyone already understood when we saw the movie?*
It was a stupid movie!
Moss made a mistake of going back to give that guy water.
That was the hook to keep the movie going. Plus the tracking device in the money. Its like the suspense movie where the heroine pulls out a 12 gauge and blows the bad guy away. Movie is over in five minutes.
As the phrase goes “You can’t have your cake and eat it.”
Moss cannot help the guy without taking a significant risk to do so, and he ended up paying for it eventually.
I believe even Moss knew it was inevitable to avoid his fate after taking the money and by doing something "Good", he might attract good fortune or a "High Favor from Providence".
Earl Driskill It would’ve been a shitty movie if he didn’t...
Chigur would have found him with the tracker and killed him, thus you have to write a transfer scene where Lywen learns Chigur is coming for him
The fact they created such suspense in the film, without any music is amazing.
I didnt even notice there wasnt music 💀. Amazing movie
There's nothing more powerful than the imagination. Music can make things become to obvious. Too on the nose. The silence gives room for the imagination to feel the tension rather then the music dictating what we should feel.
I think there was music when Anton drove the car at night and trying to shoot a bird
Wish there were more like it
this just blew my entire mind because i have always found this movie extremely suspenseful and never noticed that for some reason. fuck dude, thank you
“No country for old men” has to be the coolest movie tittle ever
Its taken from a poem
There will be blood
tittle
@@crunchwrapsupreme9372 tittie
@@GrimKage yes
i came here for the ending explanation now im even more confused
Yes yes, it was slow and confusing
He did a horrible job. What's the fucking point of the end of the movie!
@@drippgang_televisiondrng248 I thinkk that ending is what the narrator is alluding to. That this is not a world of morals and everybody chasing money. And hence no country for old men or men with morals. Tommy Lee was always very upright and playing the books character. Tommy Lee nightmare or dream meant that he knew he was going to face Xavier Bardem sooner or later and it was upsetting for him.
More confusing especially because I only somehow remember this movie as "whole". Not details of events and dialogues and their sequence.
I really got to watch the movie again. And after watching it, I will watch this video.
damn....the movie was actually very interesting until the end,what a stupid way to end it
"If the rule you followed brought you to this, of what use was the rule?"
Chigurh is one of the most terrifying characters in film history.
Marco Dellorusso how so?
Payton Holmes hes just a pure psychopath hes so calm throughout the whole movie the way he kills people is so simple and the way he just escapes in the end the amazing performance by the actor shaped the character too hes fucking terrifying
Reminds me of Apocalypse Now, describing Kurtz, "His mind was clear, but his soul was mad." (paraphrasing)
He is clearly intelligent, but evil. No remorse, no empathy. Sees people only as objects. A sociopath.
Yes, he is. But, in the end he must answer his own question.
For me this movie is one of the very few 'slow paced' movies I can re-watch without getting bored. Probably one of my favorite movies.
Cristobal Olguin very boring movie
Probably the best movie made in the last 10 or so
It's because it's a beautiful filmed, constantly supenseful movie.
+pramathesh Bharaskar
You are (apparently) too stupid to grasp an actual 'film'. Take a minute between requesting pics of bobs and vagene from strangers on Facebook and learn something.
86% of people like NC4OM on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDB voters give it an 8.1 out of a possible ten.
This movie also collected many awards in a variety of categories, with particular praise for its direction, screenplay, and Javier Bardem's performance.
The film received eight Academy Award nominations at the 2007 ceremony, tied with There Will Be Blood.
It went on to win *FOUR Oscars;* including Best Picture, Best Director, (Joel and Ethan Coen), Best Supporting Actor (Bardem), and Best Adapted Screenplay (Ethan and Joel Coen).
No Country for Old Men then earned four nominations at the Golden Globe Awards, winning for Best Screenplay for the Coen brothers and also Best Supporting Actor for Bardem.
At the British Academy Film Awards, the film received nine nominations and won for Best Direction, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Cinematography.
But yeah, I'll ignore all that, plus my personal enjoyment throughout the 8 or 10 times I've watched it, and listen to *YOU.*
Basically, thinking this film is "boring" pretty much makes you an idiot.
Either that or you thought saying such a stupid thing made you some kind of edgelord. It didn't.
not everyone was born with the capability to appreciate depth of art
Bascially he's Jim Gordon living in a "Gotham" without a Batman
That's actually a better explanation of the plot than this nearly 12 minutes long video!
You can't compare this hilarious villain to those in Gotham. He is nothing compared.
@@saviodias3803 definitely not
@@saviodias3803 its pretty simple, Anton is not just a regular "bad guy". He's random, yet consistent in his beliefs, he literally flips a coin like twoface.
@@andremotivation6561 Yes.
everybody acts like the coen brothers are the genius of this movie. Yes they did a great job, but it was Cormac McCarthy who is the genius of the storyline
There seems to be a thread in these comments suggesting that the Coens simply cribbed Cormac McCarthy's book. Their genius is in translating the verbal narrative of McCarthy's story into a visual one. It's not necessarily an easy task, especially if it's done in a style this spare.
yep, but the coen brothers, like you said, were the geniuses behind putting it on screen. That's a freaking hard job, especially with a story like this. But credit to wherever it's due.
@@frodorob said put it better, I suppose xD
It just proves my point... Translating something (to a different medium) can be a grueling task.
The presentation on screen was perfect and for that the Coen brothers deserve our respect. It doesn't take anything away from McCarthy genius.
Yeah I read the book when it first came out and loved it. But I’m a McCarthy tragic.
Then the movie.
4 stars from me.
So , I went back an read the book again. Brilliant. The movie enhanced it for me.
Bought the movie on Blu-ray and watched it again.
Even better on second viewing.
Yup, you guessed it . Read the damn book again.
Now I’ve watched the dissection on I tube I’m going to download and watch the movie one more time .
Sigh. . .
One thing this video missed is Anton's need for the kid to take the money for the shirt to confirm his belief that there is no honest good in the world. That everyone deep down wants something for everything. But other than that it was perfect but that's just my opinion.
Good point. Thanks for sharing.
the kid refused the money at first
Garrison Ridgway Yh then took it mate, proving his point
Tantheman93 he wanted him to take it so they didn’t talk to the cops, that’s all
bobTom37 it’s so they don’t talk the cops, it’s what he says, take the money, dont tell the police you saw me, he’s a hitman, he doesn’t want to talk to the cops, simple
*"Chaos is subjective. What is chaos for the fly is perfectly normal for the spider."*
Isn't everything in the world subjective?
@@parimalamani6503 almost. the only thing that isnt subjective is what is true and what isnt.
Upset the established order and everything becomes chaos
Devo Davis I know that saying the other way around, talking about normal. What is normal for the spider is chaos from the fly. It’s interesting to see the other side now, thanks stranger
The quote is actually; "Normality is an illusion. Whats normal for tge spider is chaos for the fly"
Though your quote is definitely edgy and appeals to younger teens who think it's cool to see the villain win.
As I grow older, I too feel like the world is “not like what it used to be.” I guess it’s the same for all.
yeah it's inevitable. just like Anton Chigurgh
Brian - Wasn’t “insulated” at all. Guess it’s a typical, “I’m better than you” type social media comment.
However, if you were insulted, THEN you could say things are not different. Because everything is pretty what you only know. That actually makes my point.
yeah it’s not but doesn’t mean things can’t get better.
Rest assured, the world isn't what it used to be. Any body in their sixties knows that for a fact. And it's not better.
Its a matter of perception we don't see all we have to be willing to accept that as we walk down our own paths. But yes the older we get the more we know we don't have that much power.
In truth, the sheriff realized this killer is much too dangerous for him to deal with... so maybe it's best to "retire" while the getting's good-and search for another line of work that is less stressful so that he can enjoy his golden years. When one thinks about it... that's a reasonable plan.
George Anthony yes. I agree George he might of been god Sheriff younger days but had the common sense to realize he dealing with a whole new breed of 💀💀💀
But its something he will spend the rest of years worrying about. Like how he deserted his comrades in the war now he deserted his people.
A similar theme in Sicario.
@@Arman-ch5vi I see you've read the book. The sherrif's past as a WW2 veteran (earning a medal he thinks he never deserved) made it more interesting for me, even though the movie is a masterpiece it would had been nice to have it in the film as well.
That's what it is said ... No country for old man.... Old man either fight with less stamina or enjoy golden years....
Also when Carla Jean refuses to call the coin flip, she is destroying Chigurh's sense of randomness that goes along with his killings. He uses it to feel merciful and wants to think the outcome of the coin flip is a result of chance or fate. When Carla calls him out on this, he is left feeling conflicted. This is why he gets hit by the car while he is leaving her house.
He is forced to kill her by his standards, since he promised to kill her. So the coin toss is meaningless in light of his ideas, so he gets hit by the car as punishment and irony in regards to him being a deliverer of arbitrary death.
PokeyMeansBusiness good insight
PokeyMeansBusiness
She calls it in the book. She loses.
BT DT quite true.
This movie is breathtaking on so many levels but it interestingly shows that you don't necessarily need a score accompanying a movie for it to be a masterpiece.
ChiefRepublic i loved how some scenes that have high tension like the motel scene where moss was trying to get the suitcase out of the vent, have no music. That scene was so good because without music, you dont know where its gonna go. Amazing movie
ChiefRepublic and sparse dialogue. Especially the first part
ChiefRepublic oh wow .... all are far more insight then I have
Music ruins so many movies... real life has no soundtrack - perhaps a remnant of silent cinema would when a piano player would fill the void.
I absolutely adore the scores to many films. But you are absolutely correct.
Tommy Lee Jones's performance in this film was brilliant. I found the final scene very moving. The look of uncertainty and a level of fear in Tommy Lee's face is sad.
I always have compared his character to Francis Mcdormands character in Fargo. Shes surrounded by all this evil that just keeps on its path that you have no idea how it will ever be stopped same with Jones Iin No Country. His senility and out of style characteristicsmake him appear weak and volnurba
Hez probably looked upon as past his prime but that's just the place where he wants you to be. Just like Mcdormands pregnancy and not being a man is noy rgood enough to most of these people she'll just use her abilities of doing her job right to her advantage. They both represent a strong morality in a world that is getting harder and harder to make sense of sometimes.
Jodie Foster as Clarice Starling in Silence of the Lambs is a similar character as Tommy Lee Jones and Mcdormands in Fargo. They are the truth as it never was taken away or gone without a trace. It' just takes good people with drive and talent and a good moral compass to see more in times that are fearful and lacking closures. We never ask her back down when it was not her best counter punch performance
as far as I remember, this has been the only American movie I needed subtitles for
You should try Mulholland Driver.
You should try The Lighthouse.
True Grit
The godfather
try interstellar
"a selfish villain in a western can be defeated, but how do you defeat an idea?"
Wow, that caught me off guard. A+
enter Inception!!!
With wisdom and understanding.
Create a better idea
Übermensch you’re not smart knuckle head. Quit with the bullshit phrases, they don’t make sense and sound only smart to you.
Like @Enfurarious said, with a better idea. In the film, Carla Jean Moss defeated Anton Chigurh by refusing to play his murderous Coin Toss game. She accurately pinpointed that the coin toss was initiated by him, and that he chose to do it in spite. He's therefore not a champion of [Nihilsm] that we think he is. (His retort, "The coin got here the same way I did," is circular reasoning, at best.) Carla may have paid for her courage in death, yet it resonates with us as Anton walks away from the Car Crash. Could it be that karma is catching up to you, Anton? What was that line, Anton, you said earlier: "If the rule you followed led you to this, then what good is the rule?" He might have walked away from the scene, but it remains to be seen if he will continue to evade justice. He might have survived the crash, however, it's obvious he has no home, no real friends. He'll have to resort to stealing and hiding to recuperate. However he ends, I can only imagine it being a bitter loneliness.
At the end the sheriff visits his uncle. I think it's his uncle. He tells him he feels overmatched by the current crime wave with its drugs and murders. His uncle tells him a story about how his grandfather was murdered by bandits. I think it's his grandfather. He goes on to say the sheriff is being vain in thinking the world has ever been anything other than rife with chaotic carnage and murder. Nothing's changed. The sheriff then is able to see things as they are and feels peace in acceptance of things as they are. He regains connection to the world and to his past and to his dead father symbolized by the dream of his father waiting up ahead for him.
He accepts that our lives are governed by chance beyond our control. He learns that men have always lusted after power and money and some kill to get it. The sheriff is moral but his mistake was in trying to impose his morality on an amoral, chaotic world.
Requiredfields2 bwas
Requiredfields2 sitting with my grandpa in south Texas.. In the early 80s..he complained about the crime, music, movies, lack of character and craftsmanship and peoples work ethics...that scene hit me hard. He was right this world will swallow you. No one is safe or better because we LET it come to this.
Requiredfields2 I prefer your explanation
I just posted a similar view. Chaos vs Order. We thrive for order to make sense of chaos. But chaos has at its heart randomness. Its uncaring and random
"What's coming ain't waiting on you; that's vanity." My favorite line from the move.
I also love the shots of Moss flipping through the money in the case. He only discovers the hidden tracker by chance, the third or fourth time he examines a stack of bills. Think of how differently things could have ended up if he had just found the tracker the first time by chance.....
or if he never decided to go back and help that guy with water
EverythingLegit Bro If he never went back we wouldn’t have woken up that night the tracker remember
I've only seen it twice so I may need to watch it a few more times but this is what I got...
It was a wake up call for the 3 main characters. Moss got cocky forgetting he was facing more than one enemy and was killed because of it. Bell realized that he was not built for the game anymore and retired because of it. Chigurh had his first tinge of remorse and lost focus because of it, which accounts for his inability to react to the vehicle coming towards him.
They all paid a price for their folly.
Lewelyn's arrogance killed him.
Bell's apprehension retired him.
Anton's remorse broke him.
One of my favourite movies, for sure. Something to consider: I do not think that Chigurh had remorse. He killed his final victim in the film without a second thought, thinking more about the state of his boots afterward than her. To him, her killing was simply the result of the choices of Moss and then her, with the coin. A necessary act, one he had done many, many times previously.
And the car crash? Anton was simply struck - blindsided - by a random event, just as many of his victims were; just as all of us are in our lives. His was the car; for his victims it was crossing paths with him. Chaos. Of note - he survived, and why was that? The answer is probably that there is no why. Perhaps from the author's perspective, it was to force the reader (or viewer) to consider the randomness of everything, and that good does not always prevail over evil, which were, I think, both (considering both) part of what eventually swayed Bell to choose to retire from law enforcement. Chigurh did not go thru any of these moral or ethical inner struggles - no frustration over not understanding it, the state of things. He was a pure psychopath; none of that mattered. For him, the more chaos, the better, although to him, none of it was chaos. One of these days I will have to search and see if McCarthy ever said or wrote anything specifically about that. If he didn't, maybe that's even better.
@@allan2765 like I said, I'll have to watch it again, but I still think each character succumbed to a weakness and that was the reason for their downfall. Chigurh dodged a bullet quite literally when Moss fired on him. To have reflexes like that and then to randomly get hit by another vehicle just doesn't seem plausible. Something about his encounter with her disturbed his focus. He had tears as well. I noticed that both times. Why? That whole scene was the only obscure moment in the arc of the storyline. I'm going to pay close attention to this the next time I watch it. Great film though.
@@allan2765 as far as him checking his boots it's like muscle memory in that when you have a routine for a long enough period of time it becomes automatic.
Hi AD - with respect to the car crash, Chigurh was blindsided - as were the viewers - he was struck on the passenger side, where the camera shot of him was coming from. This, I think , spoke to the element of chaos.
@@americansuperdad5769 Didn't see any tears, but will be watching it again for sure. He was as close to a pure psychopath as has probably ever been portrayed in film; that was stated by a couple of clinical psychologists some years ago. I picked up the book maybe 5 years ago now; it's in storage, still haven't read it! But plan on doing so this winter.
"Then I woke up." Best final line for a movie ever
EastNewYorkStyle Records I think the “English motherfucker do you speak it” line on pulp fiction is more impactful.
"Then I woke up." Just like the viewer of the movie; the image goes black and the lights come up and you leave the theatre.
"Okay." Best final line for a video game ever.
@@dogwizardk9 oh man, that was legendary. Unbelievable how much emotion and pain naughty dog was able to put into a single word. I still get chills thinking about it.
Tyler Blank I just saw this movie for the first time a few hours ago and the Last of Us’ ending was the first thing that came to mind
I just realized this movie is now 10 years old
I remember seeing the trailer on tv like it was yesterday. So crazy
Eleven now
@@drakewolford7949 Naw
I just realized this post is now a year old.
Twelve now@@drakewolford7949
Literally, every line in this movie is great, even from the small characters
What country is for old men?
Traditionally, women do what they have always done, make their home and fill it with children and grandchildren.
Men have always had to work in the world - a world where things are always changing, skills and knowledge become obsolete, jobs and whole industries disappear. Old men become disoriented because they can't keep up with all the changes, and the loss of dreams, failed plans and ambitions, and the loss of friends, mentors, guides, and even enemies.
At the beginning of the film, the sheriff says that engagement with the world is a conscious decision, requiring ambition, energy, and courage, which even puts your soul at risk. "Okay, I'll be a part of the world."
When we are young, we do it because we have to, but we all wish to reach some sort of plateau, where we imagine we will have "made it" and we can enjoy the life we have made for ourselves. The older we get, the more we have to accept the fact that we can't make it to that plateau. Maybe we can settle for a quiet cabin in the country, but we aren't going to be able to accomplish much more than we already have. The sheriff's friend mentioned that we reach a point where we can't even hope to regain what we have lost. At best, we concentrate on stopping further losses. We prepare for retirement and death.
Old men have always faced these facts, but perhaps never more than now, because technology is changing so quickly. Police work today would be unrecognizable to that sheriff in 1990: cell phones, satellite tracking, DNA evidence, public and private cameras taking pictures and audio everywhere, homeland security, etc. (The sheriff didn't even like dealing with the DEA, which was just one relatively new government agency in 1980.) He would be twice as overwhelmed and over-matched today.
Old men find that all the adults are gone and they have become "the adults", just as they find they are losing their capacity to deal with all the new things, new people, new culture, etc.
The dream of his father giving him money is an account of youth. Out parents give us our start in learning the skills to work with the world, but so much of our knowledge and skills become obsolete, and our resources are spent pursuing things that didn't pan out.
When a man realizes he no longer has the time or the strength to accomplish projects in the world, he falls back into maintenance mode. He experiences life as something similar to the second dream. He travels alone at night through a storm in a high mountain pass. Even an evening's cold weather could kill him.
His father passing him with the light to prepare a place for him evokes the role of Jesus to go prepare a place for us. Old men think of death and what comes after. Is there only darkness, or will there be comfort on the other side of that night? It is a dream of returning to youth, or at least the attitude of youth, when we take it for granted that someone is minding the store and our parents can take care of us, and some kind of authority will be equipped to recognize our efforts and reward us when we do well.
Old men are generally unnoticed, and always have been. No matter who or what they were in their youth, they become just "old men".
An old man napping in a chair with his week old coffee at his side.
Then he woke up.
I know the last dream he describes because I have them too, but there is no father on his horse with a light - just an endless devouring darkness.
But I move on into it alone anyway, even with no notion of what I will find.
My attitude is more like the young man who found the money. He explained to his wife that it didn't matter what went wrong. Things were done, and the only thing to do was go forward.
With that attitude, you can even cross over death.
This is an excellent comment, deserves to be higher. Thank you for taking the time to write.
awesome comment but, just by curiosity, how old are you?
This comment is bull. That the knowledge of the past is not just forgotten. Fathers are not just relics to most but give meaning and knowledge. It does matter what went wrong as long as someone is there to be witness and tell the story. Just like in the film when someone of age says something you listen. You go forward with knowledge and it dosent matter if its fate or or randomness because you have knowledge. The insight to predict or detract from has be done.
@@mikealaniz7236 But then you die,and all that knowledge becomes nothing to this Earth. What ever You have learned will cease to exist. You can try to pass some of it on, but what little wisdom you impart will seldom be welcomed, received, or remembered. It's like the info on my computer, locked away behind my password. It existence ends with me. We are all coal into the fire. Nothing more.
@@Reggie2000 those passwords can be worked around. In fact information now can be saved easier than ever. As long as humanity exists we have the potential of our ideas living on forever.
I've always subscribed to the fact that there were never "good old days", just romanticized memories. I love that this film explores that getting old inhibits one's abilities to handle situations that a younger person has the energy to confront, regardless of the outcome. Age plays a major role in attempting to control chaos, no matter if it's for good or bad. Bell knows this in spite of his desire to think that good could always prevail. He feels that way like we all do as we grow old. Retiring removes him from the idea that he could bring justice at any cost because becoming old leaves will always leave you in a world where it's up to the next generation to fight for good.
there were "good old days" as there is now....live away from chaos, don't invite it into your life, be honest and simple....look for the good because its there...yes, we used to drink from a hose, sit in the back of a truck without seat belts, eat raw cookie dough and catch lightning bugs in a jar...
There definitely were good old days, there's a reason there was a solid 20-40 years you could get on a plane without having to walk through TSA. Now they weren't perfect, in ways things are better, but if we're talking general satisfaction and crime levels, there were definitely good old days.
And personally I've always subscribed to the speech in Secondhand Lions: Sometimes the things that may or may not be true are the things people need to believe in most. That people are basically good; that honor, courage, and virtue mean everything. That money and power mean nothing. That good always triumphs over evil, and true love never dies. Romanticized sure; true, not necessarily; but important to believe in, I would agree.
2007 was a really good year for movies, we got arguably the Coen Brothers best movie and Their Will Be Blood both of which will go down as classics. Also keep up this great content.
Nicholas Katsikas We also got the excellent and underrated Zodiac by David Fincher
plus The Assassination of Jesse James and arguably one of the best Fincher movies Zodiac
Sunshine was also great
Nicholas Katsikas Man, this year's also great for movies. What's amazing is that we're just halfway through!
I think Atonement is just as great! 😅
Bell understands that Chigurh is still at large. I always had this sense that by the ending, Bell is afraid that he may one day come for him and his wife, and he'd be powerless to do anything about it. Another thing: Anton Chigurh = Ant on Sugar.
Cool ass detail. Also “Anton”kinda sounds like “Ed Tom”
I had to sleep alone so I thought I would not watch a horror movie and so I watched this instead, now anton chigurh haunts me in my dreams welp 😭
He is so sexy! I dream of him too XD
@@minajeetjemineetje3002 what a comment
@@minajeetjemineetje3002 no offence, are you depressed?, idiot ? or something. If a character like that man makes him sexy than you need help. Slaughtered man with bolt gun( used to kill weak/sick cattles). He used it to kill people.
Please ignore if you meant for actor.
Go to a pyschiatrist!
Well, good luck , in the accent of the "taken "guy
Finally! A channel makes a good video about 'No Country for Old Men'!
Rex Longfellow are others bad?
the only "good guy" is the sheriff,he lives....barely.
He's not really a "good guy". Not to say he's bad, but he's old, tired - which is understandable - but, also, he's given up. When he knows Chigurh was nearby, he stops to drink a glass of milk. He's lost the drive he needs. He is the reason for the title - No Country for Old Men. Old men who can no longer muster the will they need to do what is right.
Llewelyn is the "good guy". We never see him doing anything immoral so we have no reason to believe otherwise. Taking the drug money wasn't immoral, it's not like he stole it from innocent people.
12 years old
I would say that Carla is a good guy (woman), also.
@@Scripture-Man
Taking the money that was not his was not immoral? Really? It was blood money, sure. But good luck convincing most of society that we shouldn't prosecute people who pocket 2 million dollars of found drug money. It's illegal to do so for a reason.
I don't think Llewelyn is a bad guy. He's portrayed as a decent man that has the same kinds of failings as a lot of (maybe most) decent guys.
The older you get, the more you will "get" this movie (and book's) last scene.
I'm young and understand it
@@boddared2426 That is not in conflict with what he said.
@@boddared2426 Perhaps you are wise beyond your years.
bodda red I believe you
Yes, true.
Found it odd from the beginning that he kept that sachel. From the outset I would have transfered that kitty to something I own and stumble across that tracker in the process.
RomeoKGT totally agree, dump everything into a duffel bag. It would be easier to lug around anyway and far less noticeable
exactly how i felt as well. Bother me the whole movie. Or a backpack would be less suspicious
@@11855alan the land where there were no old men
8the land where there were no old men
RomeoKGT How can you not keep the same case from Fargo? That's foolish. Use the one right tool. 😄
this channel is way too good for the amount of attention it gets
A must watch movie a neo noir western with a potboiler of a plot and an excellent cast and of course direction really everything bout movie is amazing two thumbs up 10\10 100%!!
like Hell or High Water.
GameBoy Punk is that your bid for a job reviewing for Rotten Tomatoes
b miller I'd like to think although I have no degree or have never been published I'm still a superior writer than anyone at RT
GameBoy Punk agreed
Good lord " I'd like to think although I have no degree" ? Try, even though I lack a degree and have never been published; My writing is superior to anyone at RT. Trust me Gameboy, not even close. Should have stayed awake during your english class
I remember when I went to see this movie in the theater. After it was over, I wanted to ask for my money back! I hated the ending....made me so mad, BUT after watching it a second time, I began to understand the underlying meaning. I have watched it over and over again. It has become one of my all-time favorite movies. Each time I watch it, I learn something new. It is a movie that you just can't "watch." Every line means something and it goes so much deeper than what you are observing with your eyes....(if that makes any sense). So if you watched it once and hated it, give it another chance and you might change your opinion about this great, well-written movie. Peace
@CheriRose she died, that's why chirgurh check his shoe in the end.
@CheriRose Well I was like you first but, after watch that movie again and again. I notice he doesn't like blood in his shoe.
Sorry bad english haha.
@CheriRose he let the old man live at the gas station. Only because he won the coin toss of faith in his mind
Pretentious
Pretentious
I actually have a more positive take on the film. Allow me to explain.
Bell becomes bitter from the fact that he is overmatched by Chigurh and the Mexicans. This is illustrated by many things, but the most on the nose moment is when he has a heart to heart with the other older law enforcement officer: "kids with green hair and bones in their noses" the other man says. "Once people stop saying sir and ma'am, everything else just goes out the door", Bell says. This is a highly bitter and old-mannish thing to say from an otherwise very wise and (socially) intelligent man.
His bitterness and cynicism takes a philosophical turn in the scene with his cousin Ellis. He says: "I always thought God would just come into my life. (...) but I don't blame him he didn't". Then his cousin Ellis, whom we know has dabled in cynicism himself because Ed Tom is surprised that he has let go of his feelings of revenge, chides him for assuming to know what God thinks. He then tells him the story of their uncle who was brutally murdered more than 70 years prior to the events of the movie. This illustrates that Ed Tom's bitterness is for the birds, West Texas is and always has been a tough place to live for the old and the young. The fact that he has gotten older and does not want to face those dangers head on anymore (like Llewelyn did) has changed, not the country.
Now the final two scenes could be read as signifying the randomness of fate, even for Anton Chigurh, and how there is no comfort for an old man like Ed Tom.
But then again, you can also attach meaning and justice to the fact that, when Carla Jean forces Chigurh to take responsibility for his moral choices ("the coin don't got no say"), and stops being "the one right tool" without any moral agency, he suddenly becomes part of a moral universe and is hit by a car through no fault of his own. Poetic justice?
Or that God came into Ed Tom's life through his dreams, to show him his father is waiting for him somewhere in the dark?
Or maybe there simply are multiple readings of the ending for whomever wants to have a more optimistic viewing of the film.
Very well said.
This was beautiful to read. Very awesome interpretation! :)
This was a really good interpretation of the film and i do agree that the ending can be taken as many different thing including very optimistic points of views
Yannick Methorst . Multiple readings because McCarthy and the Coens, in the end, don’t know themselves.
@@josephososkie3029 Did Carla jean get killed ? I always wondered that.
This movie was so under rated. I found Chigur absolutely fascinating, along with his use of the cattle gun. That has to be the most unique weapon in any movie ever.
Under rated? This movie won the Oscar for best movie 2007, plus a dozen other awards.
Movie literally won a oscar, how tf u gonna call it underrated it literally can’t be any more rated
Finally i found the greatest "review" of No Country for Old Men movie. You know, its one of the best movies ever because there are so many philosophical meaning about life or especially about our society today. Great job ScreenPrism !!!
Yuda Sukama Awesome movie for sure and extremely faithful to the awesome book. Different from the book at the end where the widow DOES call the coin flip but calls it wrong.
Maribel De Leon If you watch the movie again, he checks his boots for blood as he leaves the house. 😔
Shittest movie I've ever watched
@Paul Ross awwww did I hurt Ur feelings cos I didn't like your precious movie so sad
@@haarisrathore4073 It's your opinion. You probably didn't get the meaning of the movie
No Country For Old Men is one of my favorite films of all time. It's just so freaking interesting with what it has under the surface and that you can talk about this film with other people. And I love films like that. Easily in my top 30 of all time.
Sorry, but Moss' death is not a comeuppance and the movie spends no time detailing any past sins. In fact, while he's not perfect, he's pretty close ("I know what beer leads to", etc). I think the point of Moss' death is to reinforce the arbitrary, nihilist, no-justice worldview. If anything, in a universe with a God he should have achieved redemption by taking the Mexican water, but it actually led to his demise.
And time ticks on as we all sit here trying to make sense of this world. Tick,tock, tick, tock....
Eerily brilliant!!!
What you missed is that the sheriff understands that this "better time" never existed when he tells the story of the shootout at the cabin many years ago. It shows he knows that the world of his father was never that way.
they said that in the beginning :)
Except that in real life, things have changed - a lot. A few decades ago, America was a vastly more moral place. Sure, there have always been a lot of evil people, but society as a whole was able to keep them in check, because society as a whole had much stronger morals and upheld them more strongly.
Just one point: The Cohen Brothers did not write that story. The film is an adaptation of a book written by Cormac McCarthy. There is nothing in the film that is not in the book - the only differences are what the Cohens left out. If you want to know what the film is about, read the book.
So what's the point of the movie's existence? Your logic is flawed in that to understand the film's meaning you must read the book which is far off the case.
He said that.
Great post. This film is phenomenal ..... totally engaging for the viewer; quite simple to grasp on one level, yet flush with deeper notions of life, purpose and meaning. AND .... not riddled with the formulaic musical and behavioral ques to "lead and entice" the viewer long enough to stay engaged past the next mouth full of popcorn. This film was certainly deserving of the oscar, and so much more.
I said "Finally!" out loud.
Great Analysis! Two comments: 1) "Carry the fire" is a huge theme in another Cormac M work -The Road. 2) If Chigurh is a pure manifestation of chaos, what do you make of his two human moments where he shows weakness? The first is when he tries to drive-by the crow on the roadside sign, but misses. The second is when he's recovering from his gunfight with moss in the motel room, sees his reflection, and looks away in embarrassment and disgust.
I think one of the major upshots of the ending is that Chigurh is just another player on the stage. He's built up--by Bell and by much of the film/novel itself--to be this new breed of inscrutable supercriminal, but in the end, as his car crash shows, he's no more in control of his destiny than any of his victims. We are all, hero, villain, or bystander subject to forces beyond our ability to direct or entreat--forces utterly indifferent to our success, failure, flourishing, or suffering. "This country's hard on people," Bell's uncle Ellis reminds him (and us); the old men of the title find themselves alienated not because the country itself has changed but because they have--because they can no longer bear or ignore its immense cruelty. The world itself is the great nemesis, and it has always been this way.
suddenwall I saw him missing that crow as another example of the randomness and chaos his character represents, it's unexpected which is what he is, he lives his life according to chance instead of fate which is why the sheriff is always one step behind and ultimately can't catch him, and can't understand him
Ein: Stunning insight on No Country and Chigurh. Much appreciate it.
I read in GQ Magazine that the Coen Brothers gave Javier Bardem carte blanche with regards to the personality of ' Anton Chigurh ' ... they decided that he ( Chigurh ) must be someone who's " pure violence " ... that moptop hairdo added a dash of mischief to Chigurh's image ... Javier really gave an unforgettable performance here ... I read in that same article that after watching the film with his brother , his own bro was scared of him when the lights in the theater went on !
@@EinSophistry There is always time left for another great turn, until there isn't, at which point one understands that, and is old.
This vid has been very helpful to me as I am currently studying this film in college. One of the questions we could be asked about in our exam it is about the ideology of the filmmakers, so this was perfect in answering that question!
10 years later and were still fawning over this film. I think the film is timeless.
Good video- this is one of my favourite films, yet the ending always confused me. Although I have research it, this has helped me understand it the most! Well done.
You're like a refreshingly unpretentious version of Nerdwriter.
Subscribed 👍
Haha, thank you very much!
Weird, I found it incredibly pretentious
raphael w
same here...nmaybe im having an off dsy
To me this is a masterpiece, thank you for this analysis
I never tire of this great piece of film. It's my favorite role of Tommy Lee Jones. Usually the book is better but, in this exception, both film and book are outstanding.
This doesn't answer the question as to who would win a coin toss between Chigurh & Two-Face.
Two face
I see what you did there...well played.
So a toss off ?
This is an excellent analysis - I understood it when I watched it but you put it into a context that I never fully fleshed out for myself - thank you!!!
I love hearing other's dreams it's a depth into their mind and you can learn a lot about them
Thank you for an insightful and skillful essay. You did a masterful job. The excerpt from Oprah's interview with Cormac McCarthy was a special treat. Just when I thought it couldn't get any better you split the arrow in the bull's-eye.
The movie does create tensions excellently and I cannot deny its brilliance, but for some reason it just didn't really connect with me and I didn't enjoy it as much as others did.
crazy7chameleon. I agree, while the film was very well done, it simply didn't resonate with me as I expected it would.
Interesting comment. Now that I think about it, I actually feel the same way. (Just watched it for the first time and wanted to learn more about the ending) Really interesting.
I'm with you. Just finished watching it. Great movie, I'll forget about it tomorrow though...
Im the opposite, LOVED both the book and the movie and find myself thinking about them a lot!
Couldn’t have said it any better
I love this movie and the final scene is one of the best ever. I agree with your analysis. Personally, I also see the horn of fire and his father's waiting up ahead as a reference to Bell's death. He's an old man, he's retired -- when he looks ahead, he faces another sort of black. His father has gone ahead into that unknown, and will be there. Not literally, I don't think Bell believes they'll meet in an afterlife, but that his father carried a kind of decency with him that Bell admired, and he has gone on to a place of peace, away from the chaotic darkness of the world and into the sweeter darkness of oblivion, having lived in a way that was morally acceptable to himself and admirable to his son, Tom Bell. Tom's father carries the fire, just like the father in The Road. He taught his son to 'carry the fire', too. That's how I read it. :)
Carla Tate
I just watched the movie and even tho I love the Anton's character, this movie's story makes no sense, i mean it doesn't have a definite ending..
This isnt the Matrix ffs, you cant NOT finish the story, the main character dies off screen, the main character's wife dies off screen and literally every character that is not important to the story at all gets killed on screen, even Owen Wilson gets killed off screen.
And the bad guy walks away.. which would be totally fine if he actually had an agenda, but no.. he doesn't, which is like Joker except Joker always gets caught.
I'm all for "bad guys win" movies but this is just an awful ending, it deserves 4 oscars it got, because none of those 4 oscars are for "best story of 2007".
Scofield11 The way I see it the ending is kind of up to us, the audience. I’ll admit the movie left me in the dark the first time I watched it, but now it makes more sense.
One of the best movies of all time!!! It took a while for me fully appreciate this movie from beginning to end. But eventually, I was able to disabuse myself of my typical Hollywood filmic expectations so I could see the haunting beauty of the message in the ending.
wow you guys put a lot of work into cracking this down. very much appreciated
Screen Prism videos are amazing as always but really nothing can beat the dulcet tones of Susannah's voice. Please bring her back as soon as possible, if not faster.
Great job, I will you my Ph.D. in cinema. At 73, my country is no longer for me either, but I can hope there is a campfire waiting for me.
Feel and think the same way -at the age of 58
Perk up Sir,there will always be those of us who will appreciate and respect you.
Theres always a campfire the trick is to find it
Maybe one should build their own campfire.
I dare you to try
Wow, thanks for this detailed and understandable explanation. You gained yourself a loyal sub for future deep ending films! Appreciate it!
Just finished watching this movie for the second time ever.
This film is an absolute gem on realities many complex and horrifying unknowns.
Certainly quite the bag of cats being let loose, but who's to say it's impossible to occur to begin with?
Great video
Deep! and well thought out! Kind of like a reflection of our society facing itself in the mirror. Great video! Thank you. L.H
One of my favorite Coen brothers' movies. I like the characters and the dialogue.
I know its beside the philosophical meaning but its so nice to have intelligent characters that consistently make smart choices.
Best ending of any move IMO and Lee Jones desserved the Oscar, even though javier bardem played terrific.
I subbed because you took me somewhere else I once lived in and didn't understand anything, but now I do.
Weird Mike and now I am the one who thought I understood but now I don't
The suspense here is real, i was on edge so many times, not many movies do that with me where i dont know what’s gonna happen. Thank god I watched this movie
I applaud you on an interesting take on the deeper meaning of this extraordinary film.
The wife is played by such a good actor; she nails it and shouldn't be overlooked skill-wise even though her screen time is limited, what scene time she does have is spot on & displays her deep understanding of the plot, all it's characters & the subtext of the whole movie.
I still need to get around to watching this movie. I have heard so many good things about it. Im sure the video is great but I cant watch this until I watch the movie... which is apparently 10 years old... Im slow.
Before The Credits One of the most suspenseful movies i ever watched. Definitely watch it. Preferably more than once.
Before The Credits its arguably the Coens best movie besides Fargo so I definitely think you need to watch it.
Before The Credits Book is equally good definitely worth a read actually book is slightly better than the movie so fucking well written and paced a great read.
No you don't.
Trust me, it's the biggest pile of shit ever produced in hollywood.
NostalgiNorden How old are you? I don't see how any sane or mature person could hate this movie.
Gosh darn it. I don't speak English very well, so I have a hard time understanding this very speech. And I've read how amazing and mesmerizing it is. Reading subtitles just doesn't cut it.
"That is no country for old men" is the first line of W.B. Yeats's poem, "Sailing to Byzantium," which is about yearning for the ideal growing stronger as earthly passions--sex, money--become weaker. Cormac McCarthy chose it for the title of his novel, on which the movie is based.
Just watched it, hands down, terrifying villain
The book.. and by extension, the movie.. is a story from the eye of Tom Bel. He wasnt least involved.. it was Tom Bells story. Which by extension again, is the only character the reader can hold onto.. neither the wreckless Llewellynn or the Ghost offer reality.. and the story is an exercise of when the unreal is forced onto us. Thats what the movie is about.. the book.. not only are we not in control.. we are slowly losing what we thought we had.
I think it's a common misperception that modern time is more dangerous, or chaotic than our youth, or our parent's generation. In fact, as messed up as our worlds seem's, today per capita we are safer now than I was as a kid 50 years ago. No Country is a fascinating interplay between the surface plot and sub-plot that leaves us with these unanswered questions just hanging there. The heads up coin was an important part, but not the only symbolism being used though. Playing that kind of story telling three card monty with the audience, and not leaving us with a feeling of disappointment is what makes this film great. I think the scene where Moss's rifle scope was mulling over deer in a herd was the symbolic keystone that the sub-plot was built around. It was a moment where death was introduced as intensional disconnected and unimpassioned. Survival is our strongest core drive, and fear of death is what propels our survival. Personally, I believe Chigurh represents a psychological blank screen on witch the characters and audience project their own fears of evil and mortality. The opening monolog by Sheriff Bell needs to be put into context by the film's title, No Country For Old Men. I believe Bell is confessing his fear in coming to the realization he no longer has the spirit to confront evil and mortality head on, or to get there in time to protect others.
With the murder of the deputy, we are introduced to the emotionless blank canvas of fear. There is no anger, excitement, passion, or vengeance in Chigurh's face, so without that cue our response is left hanging searching for some emotional meaning behind his blank stare. What fills that blank emotionless screen is a projection of our own fear of evil and mortality. In living our lives, in some way or another we face those existential fears and make our way. As we mature we develop a set of "rules" that help us navigate our fears so we can engage the world. What motivates us in taking that leap is either gratification of our desires, or satisfying the expectations of others. The thinly masked distain Chigurh has for the driver of the car and the gas station clerk is they present as totally compliant, passive, and incapable of directing their own life. This is dishonorable because it is an inauthentic way of navigating life. To death and evil their fate is nothing more than a means to an end, or the flip of a coin. In his own words he says "You've been putting it up your whole life, you just didn't know it" Although I know it would have meant nothing to Chigurh had the coin been tails, I don't think the scene would have been nearly as impactful had he killed another harmless man.
Llewellyn Moss on the other hand is clearly driven by his desires and more than willing to confront his fear, and even kill or be killed in order to satisfy them. That being said, he is not motivated by greed, but fights for the money he finds and sees as his. The most important feature of his character is the blind confidence he has in directing his own fate in life, and has little concern for what others think of him. At any time he could have walked away from the money he found and the danger attached to it, but every time he chose to risk his life to keep it. Finally, Carson Wells is definitely motivated by greed and driven to satisfy the expectations of others. To him everything has its price, even what he will pay to save his own life. The most important feature of his character is his display of arrogance vs confidence which shows he cares a great deal what others think. I see the most important part of his murder was he stood more to gain by killing Chigurh than he offered to save his own life. Like Moss, his death exposed his flawed rules and having that exposed was also the sum of his darkest fear.
Out of everyone, it was Sheriff Bell who had the most honorable and authentic life. The rules he lived by were well developed and showed a mature understanding of his fear, "sometimes I think he's pretty much a ghost." I have a very different view of the final scene though, I see it as someone who has come to terms with his fear, and no longer feels compelled and or capable of confronting it. I don't see a man who is surrendering to mediocrity, I see an honorable man who found peace in waking up to the realization that his fear of evil and mortality are in deed a ghost. Although it was totally overlooked in this analysis, Chigurh's interaction with the kids showed they had not yet fully developed their set of rules and were totally unprepared to navigate the morality of selling a shirt to a man who was involved in a car collision and suffered a compound fracture. In fact, I don't believe it was their ignorance that saves them though; like Sheriff Bell it was their authenticity that kept them from becoming another target. Sure, it would have been a nice neat Hollywood ending to have Chigurh punished by death from an accident, but it would have destroyed the film's profound message.
I'd like to add, chigurh represents a kind of amorality that is tied in with the money - he seemingly gravitates towards it, even without the tracker, destroying those who this blood-money interacts with. It ties in with the coin-toss. At the end, when Moss' wife reveals Chigurh's modus to be solely his decision, and not actually random circumstance, the car crash is symbolic of the blow to that ideology that Chigurh operates from, though he may walk-away, he is definitely hurt; and made more mortal and fallible than a super natural ghost.
Fantastic Breakdown!!
Wow, I had no idea that two Cormac McCartney novels/adaptations reference "carrying the fire", between this (the horn in Sheriff Bell's dream) and The Road.
Just watched it might be my favourite movie ever
👌👌👍 this was fantastic. Thank you for this
Excellent explanation of one of my favourite films.
An element overlooked here is the importance of the wife's reaction to Bell's reluctance to tell her his dream. She isn't merely 'standing in' for the reader of the novel, and while perhaps generally true, it isn't a given that 'everybody' gets bored hearing others recount their dreams. If told well and with detail, a dream can be fascinating. So her impatience with her husband at the end, coupled with her sky-blue eyes, earnest work ethic, attachment to the land (and horses), etc, is a harbinger of what's to come for Bell in retirement. Yeah, he's putting this world of random violence, youth failing to say "sir" or "madame," the hard bark of Chigurh etc, behind him. But he's facing an equally lonely place as a retired lawman. And even in his truest partner he has nowhere to turn. In this respect, the wife is not merely "us" as suggested in this clip .. she is part of the barren landscape that is no country for old men.
Good video. Now I appreciate this movie even more
For anyone interested, another good Cohen Brothers Film is Blood Simple.
I've watched a number of their movies more than once, but I'm not sure I could stomach this one a second time. The violence was too intense.
Loved the analysis on this video and all the comments.
I find that the(one of several) deep meanings of the picture; with the insignificance of the protagonists (Tommy Lee and us) juxtaposed with the vastness of the country in the open plains of Texas..the symbolism of how tiny we are in the vast scope of reality...additionally, the cultural differences of his time versus the past days; reflecting the extent of the deterioration of his father's days compared his time... Which I agree upon...
In addition, the crippled old man he had coffee with....Tommy Lee asked if he sought to revenge his assailants...the old man, paraphrased,"no if you seek out what's happening at the front door, too much is coming from the backdoor "
One of the best movies I've ever seen..
One of the best movies ever with a strong message......another is "FALLING DOWN".
I just watched it for the first time, and oh my gosh! Question how did you dissect this movie so well?
I just watched it and here I am with the same thought 🙌
To me, this movie, and its title, means that once you are old enough, you realize that you need another 3 lifes to start having a glimpse of wisdom and clarity about your place on this world. The youngsters are involved in a trame of blood and greed, while the old characters that confront that plot either get murdered by that reality, or feel powerless on the non stopping evolving madness of mankind.
The TLJ speech at the end felt so random, that made me instantly get what the movie was about (or so I think).
Reminded me of Jules final speech in a way (pulp fiction)
For those who say they isn't any written music in the film.
The Coens minimized the score used in the film, leaving large sections devoid of music. The concept was Ethan's, who persuaded a skeptical Joel to go with the idea. There is some music in the movie, scored by the Coens' longtime composer, Carter Burwell, but after finding that "most musical instruments didn't fit with the minimalist sound sculpture he had in mind ... he used singing bowls, standing metal bells traditionally employed in Buddhistmeditation practice that produce a sustained tone when rubbed." The movie contains a "mere" 16 minutes of music, with several of those in the end credits. The music in the trailer was called "Diabolic Clockwork" by Two Steps from Hell. Sound editing and effects were provided by another longtime Coens collaborator, Skip Lievsay, who used a mixture of emphatic sounds (gun shots) and ambient noise (engine noise, prairie winds) in the mix. The Foley for the captive bolt pistol used by Chigurh was created using a pneumatic nail gun.[46]
There is a little bit of Bell, Moss and Chigurh in each of us. While we would like to think of ourselves as being a good guy, like Sheriff Bell, the truth is we will all become like Moss when no one is looking and there is an opportunity to take something we desire. Likewise, we all have the potential to hurt others, like Chigurh, and justify our actions with something as trivial as the flip of a coin.
"and then I woke up". An ultimate Camus movie.
Thank you for the thumbs up..
Regards, CM
oh thanks man i watched this film about year ago but i failed to understand what it was about i searched some videos or article but it didn't help thank you for your amazing video dude
MIND.................BLOWN.................THANK YOU.
One of my favorite movies from one of my favorite writers. Sometimes I think it’s just a serious version of raising Arizona also by the Cohen brothers
1 must agree that Tommy Lee Jones is a good Mumble artist than many rappers these days
Heath Ledger was offered the role of Moss, sure he would have been good. But Brolin was able to tap into that West Texas old west mentality, cunning, ability to plan ahead, and very adept to the hunt. Moss was a skilled rival, able to have a running gun fight with a trained professional killer. I suppose Chigurh was highly impressed by Moss' abilities on the defense and offense that so many victims could not even fathom nor have the courage to do so. Kudos goes out also for casting Texans Jones, Harrelson, and Corbin also.
One of my top 3 favorite movies ..