As a big fan of the Coen brothers I was way excited to see this flick. I got the book on Wednesday and had it read by Friday. Sunday I went to see it at the Moolah Temple theatre in St. Louis. Sat on a big comfy leather couch, drank three Schlafly APA beers during the flick (a GREAT movie to drink beer in a bottle to), and had a great time. I even ran a tab so I was happy that my beer replacement time was under a minute.
Since I had read the book I was able to follow along well and the movie is about 80% accurate to the book - a very high percentage as far as adaptations go. The stuff that got cut was not important and the added stuff was cool (that swimming dog was freaky and not in the book and a big "Oh shit oh shit oh shit" moment).
The book and the movie end pretty much the same way, only the book has a little more insight into the Sheriff's mindest and why he can't do what he needs to do. The build up was great and the ending was... well, you all saw the Soprano's ending, right?
I can't wait to take my parents and fiancee to see this, but only after warning them that they will not be fulfilled by the ending... even if I was.
I actually didn't have a problem with the sopranos ending. I was more disappointed in the episode itself as a final. And somehow I appreciate it open ended this way when I watch the reruns on A&E or whatever.
But with this flick it just felt like it was a movie that decided to go back to being a book way past the point where it felt like the book still had a say...
The best explanation of The Sopranos ending I've read was this. In the diner that last thing Tony says was that you should focus on good things, and then Carm talks about her real estate gig and AJ's club thing. There are people clearly there to kill Tony, but we know what happens without seeing it, so its cut off to focus "only on good things."
As for No Country, there are two ways to end it. The way it happened, or Tommy Lee going out there and getting the bad guy. Which is typical and lame. I've seen that ending before. I much prefer the one we have, its logical, but still has us talking about it a week after we've seen the flick.
Best movie I've seen in a long time, and now my 2nd Cohen Bros all-time favorite after the Big Lebowski.
I felt frustrated by the ending at first, but the more I think about it - there was really no other way to end it. They knew where they were going. It's consistent with the rest of the story.
Direction and acting were top notch. I was on the edge of my seat for most of it, I can't remember the last time that happened. The bad dude was just awesome.
I just can't say enough great things about this flick. I saw it for the third time last night. It is my movie of the year, and now that it just isn't a reaction to something new, one of my favorite movies ever.
There so should have been. I guess that's the highest praise I can put on this movie. I can't think of a character I would rather have seen Sean Bean play. They all were their characters. Now I'm not saying he shouldn't have been in there somewhere...
i think the ending of no country for old men was necessary and consistent with the major theme of the movie, which was that all people are corruptable.
