The Coen Brothers here return to gory BLOOD SIMPLE and comedic RAISING ARIZONA territory in an odd piece of Americana based on the novel by Cormac McCarthy. The Brothers imprint is clearly stamped all over NO COUNTRY. The film begins when Llewlyn Moss (James Brolin) finds drugs and cash in a pick up truck with a dozen dead men. When Moss steals the money, a mysterious stranger known to those familiar to him as pure evil, Anton (Julio Bardem) chases in pursuit, leaving a bloody trail of killings. Bad haircut is the devil! Sheriff Bell (Tommy Lee Jones) intervenes. NO COUNTRY is odd, hilarious, edgy, thrilling though sometimes confusing.

Though the film has a quiet feel with no musical soundtrack at all, the dialogue and sounds ring loud and clear. Every character is allowed his or her own say, no matter how much or little sense it might make in and out of context.

Best performances go to Bardem and Woody Harrelson as a cocksure son of a b***h. These actors and the Cohen ingenuity ensure that the film never lacks a surprise around every corner. Did not read the novel but author McCarthy reportedly endorsed the Cohen’s movie. NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN is very different and has to be seen to be believed. For that reason, it might make my top 10 list of best films this year! It has the most unexpected ending in a film that I have ever seen!