Spurple Films

Anton Chigurh- No Country for Old Men

That's the best deal you're going to get. I won't tell you you can save yourself, because you can't...

From the late 70's on, Darth Vader was considered the ultimate villain. Then, in 1991 we were introduced to Dr. Hannibal Lechter (technically, he was introduced in 1986 as played by Brian Cox, but no one really cares about that "Lecktor"). Lechter, as portrayed by Anthony Hopkins, has ever since been called the greatest on-screen villain of all time. Now, does Javier Bardem's portrayal of Anton Chigurh dethrone Lechter/Hopkins of that prize? Totally debatable.

I think he does.

The word "perfect" has been thrown around a lot ever since this film came out, and I for one agree with that word wholeheartedly. No Coutnry for Old Men is a perfect film. Written, shot, acted, edited, scored, everything is done exactly as it should be. Not a single frame is out of place, and not a single shot does anything other than exactly what is intended to do.

Of course, like all films, some people do not agree with this. Lots of people think the film does not have an ending, or that they were cheated out of seeing a complete film. Of course those people are wrong, stupid, idiots, retarded, what have you. They still firmly believe it. Still, despite many retards out there writing shit reviews for this film, nearly everyone is in agreeance on Javier Bardem's character. He is about as evil and villainous as you can get.

Now some people think Anton Chigurh represents fate, or maybe he represents the opposite, chance. Other's think he is simply evil or terror personified. Some say he is a ghost, others say he is "the ultimate bad ass," and some say he is a combination of all three, along with some other ideas. I guess I am one of those people. Chigurh is more than just terror personified, and while he shows plenty about both fate and chance, I think it's the film as a whole that is a look at these two ideas, not Chigurh is just one of the mediums.

What is for sure is that Anton Chigurh is an evil mastermind.

The things he says in this film, while not as "intellectually based" as the things said by Hannibal Lechter, are just as genius, just as perfectly picked out to toy with his victims mind. When he explains to Moss how things are going to end up, we are rooting against him but we can't help but believe every word of it. When he is explaining to one character why they have to be killed, and just who he gave his word to, it makes you laugh at how twisted it is, and then makes you feel sick for laughing at something so twisted.

A scene between Chigurh and a Gas Station Clerk is a perfect example of his genius, and coming from an ultimate Quentin Tarantino fan, it means something when I tell you this scene has some of the best dialogue I have ever heard.

He asks such simple questions, but the way he says it, his attitude and his mannerisms (crunching up an empty packet of peanuts, and letting the sound fill the room and they uncrinckle on the counter) are terrifying.

Clerk- Is something wrong?

Chigurh- With what?

Clerk- With anything.

Chigurh- Is that what you're asking? Is there something wrong with anything?

Everything about him in this scene is flawless, and everything about him through the rest of the film is as well. Just look in his eyes. In his scene near the end, look in his eyes. If you are anything like me, it will leave you puzzeled for days. And, while I think I perfectly understand why he looked the way that he looked, I don't want to say here. For one, maybe I am wrong. His character is so complex, I find it hard to believe anyone could understand him fully. And two, I don't want to say because I want you to see the film, I want you to think about his actions and reactions, and I want you to experience the same satisfaction I did when you come to your conclusion.

This is a film, and Anton Chigurh is a character, that you need to see. After you do, you will never think of evil the same way again.

2008-01-07 23:13:20 GMT

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		All the shit I've ever wanted to say about movies...

		Anton Chigurh- No Country for Old Men That's the best deal you're going to get. I won't tell you you can save yourself, because you can't... From the late 70's on, Darth Vader was considered the ultimate villain. Then, in 1991 we were introduced to Dr. Hannibal Lechter (technically, he was introduced in 1986 as played by Brian Cox, but no one really cares about that "Lecktor"). Lechter, as portrayed by Anthony Hopkins, has ever since been called the greatest on-screen villain of all time. Now, does Javier Bardem's portrayal of Anton Chigurh dethrone Lechter/Hopkins of that prize? Totally debatable. I think he does. The word "perfect" has been thrown around a lot ever since this film came out, and I for one agree with that word wholeheartedly. No Coutnry for Old Men is a perfect film. Written, shot, acted, edited, scored, everything is done exactly as it should be. Not a single frame is out of place, and not a single shot does anything other than exactly what is intended to do. Of course, like all films, some people do not agree with this. Lots of people think the film does not have an ending, or that they were cheated out of seeing a complete film. Of course those people are wrong, stupid, idiots, retarded, what have you. They still firmly believe it. Still, despite many retards out there writing shit reviews for this film, nearly everyone is in agreeance on Javier Bardem's character. He is about as evil and villainous as you can get. Now some people think Anton Chigurh represents fate, or maybe he represents the opposite, chance. Other's think he is simply evil or terror personified. Some say he is a ghost, others say he is "the ultimate bad ass," and some say he is a combination of all three, along with some other ideas. I guess I am one of those people. Chigurh is more than just terror personified, and while he shows plenty about both fate and chance, I think it's the film as a whole that is a look at these two ideas, not Chigurh is just one of the mediums. What is for sure is that Anton Chigurh is an evil mastermind. The things he says in this film, while not as "intellectually based" as the things said by Hannibal Lechter, are just as genius, just as perfectly picked out to toy with his victims mind. When he explains to Moss how things are going to end up, we are rooting against him but we can't help but believe every word of it. When he is explaining to one character why they have to be killed, and just who he gave his word to, it makes you laugh at how twisted it is, and then makes you feel sick for laughing at something so twisted. A scene between Chigurh and a Gas Station Clerk is a perfect example of his genius, and coming from an ultimate Quentin Tarantino fan, it means something when I tell you this scene has some of the best dialogue I have ever heard. He asks such simple questions, but the way he says it, his attitude and his mannerisms (crunching up an empty packet of peanuts, and letting the sound fill the room and they uncrinckle on the counter) are terrifying. Clerk- Is something wrong? Chigurh- With what? Clerk- With anything. Chigurh- Is that what you're asking? Is there something wrong with anything? Everything about him in this scene is flawless, and everything about him through the rest of the film is as well. Just look in his eyes. In his scene near the end, look in his eyes. If you are anything like me, it will leave you puzzeled for days. And, while I think I perfectly understand why he looked the way that he looked, I don't want to say here. For one, maybe I am wrong. His character is so complex, I find it hard to believe anyone could understand him fully. And two, I don't want to say because I want you to see the film, I want you to think about his actions and reactions, and I want you to experience the same satisfaction I did when you come to your conclusion. This is a film, and Anton Chigurh is a character, that you need to see. After you do, you will never think of evil the same way again. 2008-01-07 23:13:20 GMT Site Home