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'No Country for Old Men': mysteries dispelled (?)

Jan 29, 2008, 01:10 PM | by John Young

Categories: Film, Oscars 2008

Nocountry_lHow did the Coen brothers make the critically acclaimed film No Country for Old Men, nominated for an impressive eight Oscars, including Best Picture? Though the brothers can be notoriously opaque when answering questions about their art, the Coens, along with key members of their crew, attempted to enlighten 300 guild members at a recent Q&A panel held at Hollywood's Harmony Gold theater. (Such panels are a common Oscar season occurrence in Hollywood.) Spike Jonze (Being John Malkovich, Adaptation) moderated the discussion, along with No Country cinematographer Roger Deakins, sound editor Skip Lievsay, sound designer Craig Berkey, re-recording mixer Greg Orloff, sound mixer Peter Kurland, and production designer Jess Gonchor.

Two hours into the panel, I still had many questions for the Coens. (One can only hope they record a DVD commentary track.) I did, however, learn that...

• The Coens storyboard every shot of their films, but when it comes time to shoot, they often throw the storyboards out.
• Throughout the shoot in Texas and New Mexico, Deakins hoped it wouldn't rain because he cherished the drab, brown color of the parched soil. As luck would have it, it never rained.
• The Coens shot only 250,000 feet of film. Most directors shoot three or four times that amount.
• Carter Burwell's score is only 16 minutes long, and the majority of it is heard during the end credits.
• Jonze asked the Coens if they were as calm on the set as they were at this Q&A. "Yes, it approaches catatonia," Joel Coen jokingly replied.
• Tommy Lee Jones' voice-over narration was recorded on set instead of in post-production, so that it would be easier for him to remain in character.
• The U.S.-Mexico border station was actually built by a production design team in New Mexico, a few hundred miles north of the actual border. That didn't stop some locals from mistaking it for the real thing.

A side benefit of attending the panel: a few causally overheard conversations from some of the guild members. I'm betting that a fair number of them are Oscar voters, and that these conversations could be an invaluable glimpse as to who wins — and who loses — on February 24th.

Guy No. 1: What did you think of Juno being nominated for Best Picture?
Guy No. 2: Don't know. Haven't seen it.
Guy No. 1: It's a lot like the movie with the yellow bus in it.

And:

Guy No. 3: What was with There Will Be Blood? The music would start rising and yet there was nothing happening on the screen!
Guy No. 4: Yeah, who did the score?
Guy No. 3: Jonny... Greenwood?
Guy No. 4: That doesn't even sound like a real name.
Guy No. 3: I know! That movie must have got in by only one or two votes.

If I had a vote, I'd cast it for There Will Be Blood. What about you, PopWatchers: Which of the nominees would get your vote for Best Picture? And if you had five minutes alone with the Coen brothers, what would you ask them?

Mack Sat, Jul 26, 2008 at 12:37 AM EST

There are many scenes in NCFOM where people die. Look at the movie again, and vote: of all the ways people died in that movie, if you were forced to choose, which way would you prefer?

I say this -- the older you get, the easier the choice. Call it, "No Country for Old Men."

chris andrews Sat, May 31, 2008 at 09:53 PM EST

I am interested to see how few places on the internet bring up all the similarities between no country and other cohen brothers movies. The raising arizona evil stalker theme is obvious, but I found myself jumping at all of the shots that seemed taken almost directly from other cohen movies. A scene where the "hero" lies in his bed awake (Raising Arizona), looking into a static TV (Fargo), shooting at an innocent animal (Raising Arizona)...And I'm not even much of a fan or student of these movies. Some undergrad film major should get started on his thesis....

john copperman Wed, May 28, 2008 at 10:43 AM EST

At first I thought the ending was bad, but I just read an interesting explanation on Essential Gear Guide dot com: http://essentialgearguide.com/1/654/no-country-for-old-men-on-dvd/

And now that I understand the movie, I'd have to say that it probably is one of the best movies made in a long time.

Dallas Homeboy Sun, Apr 27, 2008 at 09:55 PM EST

I agree 100%, Houston !!

Houstonian IN HOUSTON Sun, Apr 27, 2008 at 09:53 PM EST

DC Jen, you're off. Ep Sato is on the mark. I watched the movie here in Houston, the big city, as opposed to Silver Spring. Lots more diversity here, you know ? Most of the movie was okay, but the ending DID SUCK. Truly awful editing there. Tommy Lee Jones sucked with that long winded, monotone speech. If it was that important to the film, then the film was doomed from the start with his casting alone. He literally put me to sleep along with several other members of the audience. He reminded me of Harrison Ford in Frantic. I saw folks leave the theater laughing, that's right, laughing at the movie and how stupid it was. What a waste of money. Fargo WAS OUTSTANDING !!! This was CRAP. The Oscars don't mean anything. They're such a joke nowadays.

swegeler Sat, Apr 12, 2008 at 12:22 AM EST

How did everyone miss this? Were you sleeping during the part where Chiguhr is hosing out the bed of the pickup truck? The same pickup truck that's in the next scene where the group of mexicans are running back into the truck after killing Ilewelyn. Obviously Chiguhr was driving.

Sean Sun, Feb 24, 2008 at 02:30 AM EST

I have to call "the emperor has no clothes" on No Country for Old Men.

My take on this movie is that it was like a serious/vioelent Napoleon Dynamite....not great on plot, but the characters were so interesting that it kept the movie entertaining. I hate it when people think they are making "art" for "art's sake." I feel like too often that is the vibe this movie tried to create. I really felt more like I was watching a film school exercise more than something I should've shelled out $10.50 for.

Specifically, the car wreck was stupid, and Woody Harrelson's cameo was pointless. But worst of all, the credits started just as the story actually got interesting. If I didn't have to pee from my jumbo size cola I'd probably have even been more p/o'd by this movie.

On the upside, the characters were fascinating to watch and the movie did keep me entertained up until I felt ripped off by the ending. I'd recommend watching this one on DVD but Oscar???? I think not!

CArunchy Tue, Feb 19, 2008 at 05:34 PM EST

LOL, Oscars 2008 Spoof:

http://digitalfuntown.squarespace.com/dft-blog/2008/2/19/offbeat-oscars-mash-up.html

phaedrus Fri, Feb 1, 2008 at 04:32 PM EST

I was at the 'screening' last weekend. After seeing the clips, and hearing the motivations behind the shots, I have to say I have a new respect for the movie, and the Coen Brothers.

Spike Jonze is an interesting director, but a horrible moderator.

Aside from a few stupid questions from the audience (like 'how does the movie differ from the book', 'how'd you get the dust in the room', and 'why wasn't the door locked when Brolin shoots Bardem'), it was a rather enjoyable experience.

I seem to recall that no one asked about the ending.....

Phil Thu, Jan 31, 2008 at 03:49 PM EST

Wow. I didn't realize there was such a either Love it or Hate it vibe towards NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN! I finally saw it last night, & I have to say I actually enjoyed it alot & I initially had little to no desire to see it. I knew it was about drugs & took place in TX but I had no clue about the setting of 1980, or that Woody Harrelson made a cameo. I joked with my friend that the Cohen Bros. musta been pissed that the title of THERE WILL BE BLOOD was already taken this year, because after the 1st few minutes I was like, this movie shoulda been called that! Anyways I thought the movie was dark but riveting. I can understand how some people would have disliked the ending, because I actually had to think about it, but the ending involving Tommy Lee Jones' speech is the reason why the movie has the title it has. How that exactly ties into the actual plot of the movie still kinda eludes me, but either way, I def. enjoyed this film more than I possibly thought I could have.

Dave Wed, Jan 30, 2008 at 11:59 AM EST

Ha, Anna if you didn't like the speech at the end, I'd recommend you not read McCarthy. Bravo Allan for your interpretation of the dream. Although, I would add the he said, "and then I woke up," so he doesn't necessarily believe it.

v Wed, Jan 30, 2008 at 11:42 AM EST

The wife's mom told the Mexican where they were going when he offered to help her with her luggage. That's how the Mexicans got there so quickly and were able to kill Moss before Anton got there.

Babs Wed, Jan 30, 2008 at 11:26 AM EST

Of the nominees, I think I'd give it to "There Will Be Blood" in a squeaker over "No Country". I haven't seen "Michael Clayton" yet (and don't know if I'll have a chance to before the Oscars). I am very fond of "Juno" but I can't call it the best film of the year. "Atonement" was pretty good but certainly not in my top five (or even ten). Of what (admittedly little) I managed to see this year, I would have put "Into the Wild" in its spot.

Jim Treacher Wed, Jan 30, 2008 at 11:24 AM EST

If I had five minutes alone with the Coen brothers, I would ask them for my money back.

Yogi Bear Wed, Jan 30, 2008 at 10:26 AM EST

Sally,
The Bardem car wreck was just another example of the chaotic meaninglessness of it all. The stone cold killer is nearly killed by a stupid car wreck, but escapes from that too, so again there is no justice. He can't be stopped.
Question 2: All of them were dead; we know Chigurh killed the wife because when he walks out of the house he checks the soles of his boots for blood. Question 3: I think the Mexicans had their own GPS device which tracked the briefcase. They were just another group of people after the money.

v Wed, Jan 30, 2008 at 10:00 AM EST

I believe the Mexicans killed Moss (don't we see them peeling away from the hotel in a Jeep or soemthing?), and Anton got there afterward and got the money.

Jeff Wed, Jan 30, 2008 at 08:47 AM EST

"That didn't stop some locals from mistaking it for the real thing." That anecdote would be much better with some supporting details. In mistaking the fake border for the real thing, what form of hilarity ensued???

chirs Wed, Jan 30, 2008 at 08:39 AM EST

1) no country for old men
2) eastern promises
3) there will be blood

Word?? Wed, Jan 30, 2008 at 08:09 AM EST

Um, no "Word", you're wrong. The "Mexican Gang" does not kill Llewelyn; Chiguhr does.

word Wed, Jan 30, 2008 at 01:08 AM EST

There is no final confrontation between Brolin's and Bardem's characters. It is the gang from Mexico that kills Brolin. Bardem goes and retrieves the money.
Tommy Lee Jones just feels powerless against the rising moral decline.
Fantastic movie.
Atonement second. Juno third. Michael Clayton distant fourth...but haven't yet seen There Will Be Blood.

Mike Wed, Jan 30, 2008 at 12:49 AM EST

My vote would be for No Country For Old Men. How can you have a problem with that ending and not have a problem with the ending of There Will Be Blood? The questions for the Coens would be about Barton Fink. What was going on there?

v Wed, Jan 30, 2008 at 12:01 AM EST

My favorite movies this season, where at the end I blurted out "Wow! That was awesome!" are "3:10 to Yuma" and "The Diving Bell and Butterfly." However, of the five nominated for Best Picture, I really liked "Juno" but don't think it's the one to win. As for "Michael Clayton," my friend and I went to a bad screening of it (terrible audio and audience) so we hated it. Love the climactic scene at the end though, and do plan to give the movie a second chance. "Atonement" feels like it went through the Oscar must-have check list. But I didn't like the second half of the film (I know it's an adaptation, but I wanted it to end differently). I thought "There Will Be Blood" was amazing, but in large part due to Daniel Day-Lewis (love him!) At the end of "No Country," my cousins and I just went "Huh" and were quiet as we walked out. Then we couldn't stop talking about it for days. Great on so many levels, not just for Bardem's performance. That's my pick for Best Picture this year.

Fatima Tue, Jan 29, 2008 at 11:57 PM EST

I hate to play the high and mighty card, but dear lord, some of the comments here about No Country make my head actually feel tingly and upset. Some people shouldn't be allowed to go to movies if they are too stupid to grasp foreign concepts. When I saw it, the people behind me said "Did they run out of film?" and I nearly wanted to slap them. Considering I didn't think this was a GREAT year for film, I've never loved the best pic nominees more. Really, they were the best 5 movies of the year.

Fatima Tue, Jan 29, 2008 at 11:50 PM EST

Those are incredibly depressing overheard conversations. If I were you I would have flipped out at the people in the second conversation.

david Tue, Jan 29, 2008 at 11:03 PM EST

"No country" is my favorite of the nominees, followed by "There Will Be Bloo"d and then Juno (the dialogue was a little too cutesy for its own good). But my favorite film of the past year was "Once." And I thought "Eastern Promises" was pretty dang good.

Houstonian Jen in DC Tue, Jan 29, 2008 at 09:52 PM EST

Ep Sato, I watched it in a theater in Silver Spring and people applauded at the end. (What's up with Georgetown?) I really enjoyed the movie and thought it great acting, direction, suspense, and my beloved Texas landscape.

I'm not one to get excited over the critical darlings (e.g., Little Miss Sunshine was meh; American Beauty was bleh), but I understand the hype over "No Country..."

Houstonian Jen in DC Tue, Jan 29, 2008 at 09:51 PM EST

Ep Sato, I watched it in a theater in Silver Spring and people applauded at the end. (What's up with Georgetown?) I really enjoyed the movie and thought it great acting, direction, suspense, and my beloved Texas landscape.

I'm not one to get excited over the critical darlings (e.g., Little Miss Sunshine was meh; American Beauty was bleh), but I am feeling the hype over "No Country..."

Rebekah Tue, Jan 29, 2008 at 07:56 PM EST

I have seen No Country for Old Men, Michael Clayton, and Juno. Juno by far is my favorite of the three. I hope to see the other two before Oscar night. But right now Juno has my vote.

Kong Tue, Jan 29, 2008 at 06:52 PM EST

1. There Will Be Blood (great), No Country For Old Men (great)
2. No End in Sight (great)
3. Romance & Cigarettes (uneven but great)
4. Michael Clayton (ending rushed, but solid)
5. Juno (solid)

Tue, Jan 29, 2008 at 06:45 PM EST

Atonement!

to Devin Tue, Jan 29, 2008 at 06:36 PM EST

You're exactly right about the end for There Will Be Blood. It really bothered me that there is such a big character leap between DDL in the old days and DDL of the ending sequence. The audience is basically left to fill in the blank about what happened to this guy. There's not much reason given for why this guy who has always been in control of things turns bat sh*t crazy.

Devin Tue, Jan 29, 2008 at 06:26 PM EST

I actually thought "Atonement" was the best of the bunch. "Juno" was good, but I'm not sure why everyone seems to think it's the funniest and best movie ever, while "No Country for Old Men" was a little too "WTF?" for me. "Michael Clayton" was also good, but a little bit dry. And as for "There Will Be Blood," I give it the "Crash" award for movie I least understand the hype about. Daniel Day-Lewis was great, but I felt the rest of the movie was lacking. It was... well... kinda boring, and the shift in DDL's character at the end, while not entirely unpredictable, still seemed a little abrupt.

:o) Tue, Jan 29, 2008 at 06:19 PM EST

No Country all the way.

movcritic Tue, Jan 29, 2008 at 06:02 PM EST

I can't remember a year recently when I thoroughly enjoyed so many of the best picture nominees. While I haven't been able to bring myself to watch the rest of "Atonement" (I'm in that group of people who hated "The English Patient" and "Atonement" just feels too similar -- I've seen half of it), I'd sit through any of the other four again and again and enjoy each of them.

bort Tue, Jan 29, 2008 at 05:42 PM EST

I can't even believe Juno is being discussed here as a contender. It was absolutely terrible. A lame excuse for a quirky indie movie (see Little Miss Sunshine for another example)

elton Tue, Jan 29, 2008 at 05:37 PM EST

please please tell me that's not what the guild members were saying.
There Will Be Blood for best picture.
No Country a close second.

jay Tue, Jan 29, 2008 at 05:10 PM EST

There Will Be Blood, although it loses points for the ending, which I found really weak. I think No Country was great, but a close second to PTA's almost-masterpiece.

Fred Tue, Jan 29, 2008 at 04:57 PM EST

'No Country for Old Men' is by far the Best Picture of the year. 'There Will Be Blood' isn't even close. And 'Zodiac' got robbed.

mark in nyc Tue, Jan 29, 2008 at 04:50 PM EST

I liked No Country for Old Men, but thought the ending was little weak. However I use the arguments presented on this page to anyone who did not like CLoverfield...the similarities are astounding!

Though There will be blood was a good movie, with a GREAT performance by DDL.Wasnt so bothered with the score.

Allan Tue, Jan 29, 2008 at 04:26 PM EST

I saw No Country for Old Men for the second time yesterday and am now convinced that it's the best movie of the year - a brilliantly scripted and acted, tightly-directed and edited film. The motivations of the Brolin and Bardem characters are so convincingly played off against each other, and the Tommy Lee Jones character is involved but also distanced from them. The ending is perfect - the resignation of a man who has fought all his life and now seeks assurance that generations before him will light his way into the inevitable darkness.

Brandon Tue, Jan 29, 2008 at 04:11 PM EST

Having finally seen them all, here is my list-style rundown of the Best Pic nominees:

1. There Will Be Blood
2. No Country For Old Men
3. Atonement
4. Michael Clayton
5. Juno

DanOregon Tue, Jan 29, 2008 at 04:06 PM EST

Loved "No Country" the long periods of silence interrupted only by extremely violent outbursts was amazing.
Anyone visiting New Mexico should check out Las Vegas, NM where much of the film was shot. That was also where Red Dawn was filmed. An interesting place.

E Tue, Jan 29, 2008 at 04:04 PM EST

Why do defenders of No Country always fail to understand people's objections to the ending? Nobody's upset that the bad guy wins, more or less. It's the fact that the climactic battle takes place completely off-screen and then the focus suddenly shifts back to the Tommy Lee Jones character, who hasn't been much of a factor for most of the movie. We're watching a very enjoyable movie about Javier Bardem chasing Josh Brolin and then we get an ending about Tommy Lee Jones discussing his dreams. I don't care if that's how the book ends. It's a terrible ending for an otherwise good movie.

Ep Sato Tue, Jan 29, 2008 at 04:04 PM EST

Ethan and Joel, how did you guys create a piece of plotless pretentious crap that everyone's been calling a good movie?

Sorry folks, but I HATED No Country. WTF was up with Woody Harrelson's pointless cameo? And that stupid ending with Tommy Lee ranting about his dead dad? Is this movie the emperor's new clothes in movie form?

In the theater I saw the movie in (in Washington DC's Georgetown), there were several people who were put to sleep by this movie and several groans of "why do people like this?", with maybe one or two people saying they liked the film.

So I've got to ask. How does a movie that's hated by so many get a nomination for best picture?

Juno, on the other hand, was funny, smart AND had a great story. It also proved how it's possible to have a non-Hollywood ending that doesn't stink to high heaven.

Ames Tue, Jan 29, 2008 at 04:01 PM EST

Those idiotic conversation you overheard are exactly why we should not care so much about the Oscars. Why then can I not stop caring?

My vote would be for There will be Blood. I won't complain when No Country wins though, since I think some of the votes will be make-up votes apologizing for not voting for Fargo.

darren Tue, Jan 29, 2008 at 03:53 PM EST

I would also vote for There Will Be Blood. I haven't stopped thinking about it since I saw it. I also loved No Country and would not be upset if it won. If Michael Clayton wins however, then there really will be blood.

amystars Tue, Jan 29, 2008 at 03:26 PM EST

There is no question that I would vote for No Country for Old Men. The film ends in exactly the way the book ends, with a satisfying reflection on good and evil. No, it's not the pretty little package we are so used to, and the movie is way better for it.

Anna Tue, Jan 29, 2008 at 03:12 PM EST

The ending to No Country DID bother me. Not because of the message it sent (I'm a big fan of movies dont't have sappy ending where everything was tied up in a neat package - Sweeney Todd is a recent example).
I didn't like the speech at the end by Tommy Lee Jones. I found myself bored halfway through it and all of a sudden the movie ended. Obviously I missed out on important dialogue, but there was no sign that the speech was a "this is the ending" kinda speech. I was thrown off. Although I felt a lot of aspects of the movie were excellent (direction, acting, etc), I didn't enjoy the movie as a whole. I believe I am in the minority with that opinion. Anyway, my vote would be for There Will Be Blood. Followed by Michael Clayton.

Sarah Tue, Jan 29, 2008 at 03:07 PM EST

Atonement, hands down.

Chris G Tue, Jan 29, 2008 at 02:58 PM EST

I am I the only one who actually loved the ending to No Country? It wouldn't have worked any other way. The movie really works because of the ending... i mean how great is it that all we can talk about is that slap to the face conclusion?

Rachel K Tue, Jan 29, 2008 at 02:29 PM EST

Of the five nominees I'd give it to No Country for Old Men. I really enjoyed Juno but nothing got to me more than the Coen brother's masterpiece. However, if Sweeney Todd had been nominated for Best Film I may have given my vote to it. That was such an outstanding and mind-blowing piece of cinematic work.

Jeanne Tue, Jan 29, 2008 at 02:27 PM EST

My vote would be for No Country For Old Men. The ending didn't bother me at all, in fact I loved that they didn't feel the need to tack on a typical neatly-wrapped Hollywood ending.

I'd have to agree with the guild members about Jonny Greenwood's score for There Will Be Blood, it bugged the hell out of me.

GOB Tue, Jan 29, 2008 at 02:04 PM EST

Sally: maybe you need to watch the movie again. Pay more attention. The scene at the end was a continuation of the themes the entire movie set up... sometimes, fate and luck favor the bad guy... sometimes good people with good intentions get the short end of the stick... sometimes, the bad guy does win

Cliff Tue, Jan 29, 2008 at 01:57 PM EST

I'd vote for No Country for Old Men. I'd still nominate There Will be Blood, though, alongside Gone Baby Gone, The Savages and Zodiac.

Nose Tue, Jan 29, 2008 at 01:44 PM EST

I've heard people complain and complain about the lack of ending in No Country For Old Men. Isn't this because the novel ended the same way? I mean, they couldn't just tack on a sappy ending where everything was tied up in a neat package if they wanted to stay true to the story.
It's all open to interpretation, but I just came away with the feeling that sometimes evil does triumph over good. Sucks, but it's true.

Oscar watcher Tue, Jan 29, 2008 at 01:37 PM EST

Sally -
The Mexicans found them so quickly because the mother told them where they were going to be.
I would vote for Atonement or Juno for best picture. No Country is good but needs a real ending. Haven't seen There will be Blood but will in a couple of days and understand it is very bleak but awesome so may change my mind.

Sally in Chicago Tue, Jan 29, 2008 at 01:29 PM EST

Sorry those were not mysteries dispelled and the title is misleading. Mysteries I would like dispelled are:
1) What was with the ending where Bardem gets in a car crash and walks away?
2) The editing was so quick between the time that Brolin's character died and his wife's mom died and the wife allegedly died I couldn't tell if any of them were dead.
3) Who were all those Mexicans and how did they find everybody? Did they too have gps devices? How many gps devices were there to track people?

Jason Tue, Jan 29, 2008 at 01:28 PM EST

If those last comments from guild members are for real, it's no wonder the Oscars are a joke. Shouldn't only people who are passionate about films and understand film language be allowed to vote?

RightNextToMarsDotCom Tue, Jan 29, 2008 at 01:28 PM EST

My vote would definitely be for There Will Be Blood, although I loved Michael Clayton, too.

One question for the Coen Brothers: Do you even need to talk with each other anymore to make a decision or do you pretty much always know what the other's thinking by now?

RightNextToMarsDotCom Tue, Jan 29, 2008 at 01:27 PM EST

My vote would definitely be for There Will Be Blood, although I loved Michael Clayton, too.

One question for the Coen Brothers: Do you even need to talk with each other anymore to make a decision or do you pretty much share a common brain?

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