No Country For Old Men - A Thriller Opening

No Country for Old Men is a 2007 American Western Thriller, starring Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Berdem and Josh Brolim. It is about an ordinary man who, by chance, comes across a fortune which is not his. It is a cat and mouse chase between himself, and those who are after the money, including Anton Chigurh, a crazy killer, who is introduced in the opening of the film.

Tension is built in the opening of the film, through two deaths, both muders carried out by the ominous Chigurh.

The opening of the film, can be broken down in the form of CLAMPS;

Costume-The villain is wearing all black, suggesting darkness and evil and giving nothing away.

Light-Throughout the opening, the audience does not see the villains face, as it is hidden by shadow. This means we are unable to see his expression and nothing about him is given away.

Actors-The film has reconisable actors in it, however we do not learn of who is in the film at this point, other than the villain.

Make up-Make up is used on Anton Chigurh to emphasis the dark features that the villain possesses.

Props-The murderer uses an oxygen tank for the second murder. This is significant to the forming of Chigurhs character.

Settings-The opening is set in an isolated desert in western land. The audience can realise that whatever was to happen in such a setting, no one would be around to help the victim.

Character Analysis of Anton Chigurh    

Costume;

- Black

- Dark

- Suggestive that he is the villain

- Plain: there are no patterns or writing on his clothing, which gives nothing away about his character, personality or identity

Speech, Language and Tone;

- Minimal amount of speech

- Simplistic language

- Calm

- Monotone


Mannerisms, Actions and Responses;

- Unexpressive

- Calm

- Sationary, doesn't move much

- Little physical contact with people, even during killings

- No emotion

- Manipulating

- Controlling

- Intimidating

- Argumentative

Representation in film;

- Outcast of society

- Unrealistic responses to other people and situations

- Bad, darkness, evil - Freud's ID ?

- Troubled