This movie is exacatly what it said it was going to be, it's a chase movie with a terribly creepy villan. I cannot say there is much more to it than that. It's a western of sorts which for me is not really a big selling point. There is really nothing shocking or new about this movie. The "highly discussed" aspects of this film, in particular the dog that was not a stunt dog, were some of the more disappointing moments in movie-watching history for me (look up how much was written about this dog and how the scene was done and then rewatch the movie...)
Which is why when I watched it the other day I just felt baffled.
It is not fair to blame No Country for the expecations I had for it. It was, as I said, everything it said it was going to be. I can't really point my finger at critics or those who give out awards because after Brokeback Mountain they have proven they cannot be trusted. I know that the fault lies with me, but what can I do? I had hoped, in vain, that this film would be like Children of Men. That I would sit down and shake my head and quietly mumble to myself, "I didn't know...I was wrong...holy God!"
My mumbling after the movie ended was more along the lines of. "Oh, that's how it ends...so that's it?"
I am sure this is the feeling many had when Rocky went on to win the oscar for best picture as well. I think the difference is Rocky was not called the greatest movie in however many years, or that Stallone was at the top of his powers, or some other puffed up nonsense.