The latest thriller from the Coen brothers and not unlike their previous projects, it is a commentary about a part of the US no one usually thinks about. The year is 1980 and set in the state of Texas, close to the Mexican border where drug runs go crazy and one man finds a suitcase of cash only to be chased down like a helpless prey.

It has been a really long time since I watched a whole feature film that does not use music of any kind, which gave the film a very indie feel to it. Technically it is kinda an indie film by Hollywood standards but with a US$25m budget, it isn’t quite Singapore indie standard. So needless to say, I was impressed that ambient sound could keep you at the edge of your seat too.

Javier Bardem was pretty amazing as the brutal and accurate hitman. He is much cuter in person, I nearly didn’t recognise him with the distant craze look he maintained through out the film. Josh Brolin is looking more and more like his Dad, and a much better actor too. Then there was Tommy Lee Jones as the ultimate small town sheriff who kinda puts everything into perspective.

However, I left the cinema a little bewildered … I think I missed something and I’m not quite sure what to make of the ending.  You know how you feel when you’re real hungry and you go into your favourite restaurant only to be fed with something less than usual.  Yah, so despite some cool directorial calls and near impeccable acting, I was unsatisfied to say the least.  For that, it isn’t one I’ll recommend unless you’re a big Coen brothers fan.  I am going to check out the book though 😉