Section 2-Analysing Thrillers-NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN

Narrative Structure

The films begins with first person narration voicing over shots of scenery, relevant to the setting of the film. This technique is commonly used to not only set the story/back round or give it a moral meaning (e.g. sommersets' voice over at the end of the film "Se7en") but also to give is a abstract effect. For example in this film Tommy Lee Jones introduces himself as Sheriff of this county ,that we are seeing several shots off, yet soon moves onto a story of a young boy who murdered a girl and claimed he would happily do it again and knew he was going to hell. This although on first hearing slightly irrelevant It has a deeper meaning and sets the tone for the whole film. It is almost foreshadowing what is to come, the theme of the film and the nature of the murderous character (pure and undoubted evil). The audience can almost have a taste of what they are in for form this narrative and the distant shots and low humming wind give a all together chilling opening. We then are given the first indication to who is involved in this film. A formidable and creepy looking man is taken to a Sheriff's station, we then see the man walk behind the Sheriff and strangle him to death, he does this with apparent ease suggesting he is a experienced killer and giving the audience a sign or more sinister things to come form him. He then performs another murder on a apparently innocent man, luring him to the side of the road in a police car and calmly yet brutally shooting his point blank in the head with a captive bolt. Giving more indication to just how cold and inhuman this man really is, and adding to his mysterious and fearful persona.

Sound

In terms of music to put it simply, there is none. However this does not mean there are not clues to be extracted for this reason. Music is often used to give a added dimension to a scene, the music often fitting in with whats happening on screen and more often than not in a thriller it is dramatic. Although a lack of sound can be just as effective, firstly, It focuses the viewer to the dialogue (in this case the all important narrative) and can create a sense of mystery and build tension. This is used especially well in this film as the setting is in distant country in American meaning it is underlining the isolation all these character have. The sound is all digetic meaning each foot on gravel and closing of door can be heard, really adding to the suspense and sense of evil amongst the distance (county ) that is apparent in the start of this film.

Character Profile

Tommy Lee Jones' character (although heard not seen) can be interpreted as a good-to-do Sheriff who is perhaps coming to the end of his tenner. This is not simply because he sounds old but because he talks of "the old timers" and is recollecting on the past. We can gather that this Sheriff will play an important role in this film having seen what the man who murdered the young Sheriff is capable of. The man (unnamed at this point) is a very interesting character, he appears to lack any form of human sincerity or emotion, he carries out his murders in a ruthless fashion (showing he has done this before and could be some form of assassin or bounty hunter).His voice has a very distinct deep and husky tone, a clever ploy to add to how unique this man is, but in the most terrifying way. He is calm and collected displaying a almost alien nature in the way he appears to have no real morals or code of conduct. His methods are blunt and sinister and It reflects the theme of the film and adds tot he tension in the ensuing "cat and mouse" chase later on as this character is so enigmatic.

Mise en Scene
Credit should go to the director's of this film (Cohen brothers) who's mise en scene takes in every tiny aspect and detail and translates it into a film that is more believable than most. There is a variety of ways in which this is done, for example the lack of elaborate graphics and introduction titles give the audience a view they are immersed in the story of the film right form the beginning and aren't introduced to some spectacle merely meant to entertain them (as film is also meant to connect with the audience, especially ones portraying realistic scenarios). Once again the lack of music adds to this effect as it all sound that you could hear if you were present in the film. In the opening there isn't a single shot that seems distant and un-real, all is relevant and its all blends together in a compact realistic setting that blurs the lines between film and reality. In terms of props it is all very in theme e.g. the police car is distinctly worn down and the uniform and clothes are typical of the time period (1980's) and the setting in which it all takes place. A example of this would simply be, American countryside, cheque shirt and denim wear would be common clothing. These details culminate to create a sense of reality that is unnaturally close to that of our own.