no country for old men

these days most times i go to a film it's a low-key affair
usually only a handful of other people in the theatre
admittedly viewing times and film popularity may be factors
but mostly it still surprises me about the lack of patrons
however at this viewing - full house on a late wet sunday afternoon
the word is definitely out on the quality of this film
me - coen brothers and tommy lee jones are all i knew
so as the film started i had no real idea of what was to unfold
llewelyn moss (josh brolin) is out hunting in outback texas
which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the film
sprawling, bleak, sparse, unforgiving, spine-chilling
he stumbles across a drug-deal gone wrong
abandoned vehicles, bodies, heroin and lots of cash
grabs the money and starts his film-lasting run
sheriff ed bell (tommy lee jones) is soon on the scene
and with him the first bit of wry humour from the anti-hero
his deputy declares - it's a mess ain't it sherriff
well if it ain't it'll do 'til a mess gets here - from the laconic sheriff
shortly after this we meet the ice-cold anton chigurh (javier bardem)
he works on the wrong side of the law and is after the missing money
this is one mean, daunting and psychopathic person
and dressed all in black and featuring a bob-like haircut
the absolute definition of who you would not want to meet in a dark lane
as the body count accumulates i likened him to a terminator
except he has a heart and a brain and therefore even scarier
his chosen weapon is a air-pressure stun-gun used to kill cattle
but used here to take out people and locked doors
the story is about the pursuit of the money-grabber across texas
the sheriff on the verge of retirement but working the case
looking and feeling very tired from a life of law-keeping
the hired hand after the money and killing with abandon
i am not one for violence for the sake of show and effect
but in this case it feels like we are confronting a possible reality
in this film death comes often and always in a chilling way
breath-taking also comes to mind judging by the audience reaction
but we're here for the long haul and continue the journey
by the end of 2 intense hours i felt quite drained
but knew i had witnessed a truly remarkable film
it sparked discussion, reading and investigating for days
i likened it in impact on the first viewing of pulp fiction
but up another notch in overall impact
thanks to a great cast
and fine direction
...stunning