The results are in for the greatest Western of the 21st century, asNo Country for Old Mencomes out on top in a major poll. ThisBest Picture-winningmodern classic proved the Coen brothers were the perfect filmmakers to adapt to the gritty, crime-ridden vision of Americana that originated inCormac McCarthy’s novel.
The New York Timeshas aggregated the opinions of more than 500 influential directors, actors, and notable Hollywood names to discover the best movies of the past 25 years. WithJavier Bardem as the terrifying hitman Anton Chigurh, the powerful performances and dark aesthetic ofNo Country for Old Menmean its reputation has only grown since its 2007 release.
No Country For Old Men Is The Top Western Of The 21st Century
The Film Clocked In At Number 6 Overall
No Country for Old Menclocked in at number six for this centuryand was the highest-ranked true Western on the list, although Paul Thomas Anderson’s epic crime storyThere Will Be Blooddoes contain some Western elements,and that came in at number three. The top two spots were also era-defining films, withMulholland DriveandParasite, respectively.
“It’s the Coen brothers at their best. They’re sort of daring and they’re pushing the envelope all the time with the amazing character played by Javier Bardem.” - Brian Cox
Successionstar and actor Brian Cox was quoted in the piece, callingNo Country for Old Men“the Coen brothers at their best” and commending the way “they’re pushing the envelope all the time.” Cox signaled Bardem’s outstanding performance, which is an essential reason the film has garnered such esteemed levels of acclaim.
As a blood-soaked tale of violence and fate,No Country for Old Menmanaged to conjure an incredibly unique atmosphere through its willingness to include long stretches of time without any music or even dialogue. There’s an eerie aesthetic that allows this film to represent the other side of the coin in the dark underbelly of America.
Our Take On No Country For Old Men’s Placement
This Just Might Be The Coen Brothers’ Magnum Opus
There are a select few21st-century Western moviesthat can live up to the classics of the past, andNo Country for Old Menmore than meets these requirements. While it’sBardem’s chilling performance as Chigurhthat overshadows much of the conversation around this film, actors like Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin, and Woody Harrelson elevate already incredible material.
The only Westerns to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards wereCimarronin 1931,Dances with Wolvesin 1990,Unforgivenin 1992, andNo Country for Old Menin 2007.
No Country for Old Mendeserves its place in the top 10 films of this century as it walks the line between intense drama and genuine horror. As just one of four Westerns in Academy Awards history to win Best Picture, it’s appropriate that this neo-Western triumph is still gaining new accolades almost 20 years since it was first released.
