The opening scene of the “No Country for Old Men” movie is most interesting for a variety of reasons, but mainly because settings remain an important theme throughout the movie and it aids in building an understanding of the various characters. Following the monologue provided by Tommy Lee Jones at the beginning of the movie, viewers are quickly introduced to L. Moss and his hunting trip in the desert. The camera shot on Moss quickly pans on his rifle.
The next scenes show Moss investigating the scene of the crime (drug deal gone wrong). Viewers also see him take a pistol and a magazine clip from the one remaining victim.
The camera is always focused on Moss’s weapon, even when he places it on the bed of the truck so he can investigate the contents of the back of the truck. The camera shot even shows Moss as he takes the pistol and places it in the back of his pants. Since guns play such an important part in this movie, it seems reasonable that camera angles and dialogue focus on them so much.
Moss returns home from his “hunting” expedition and his wife questions the presence of the new pistol. She asks him, “Where’d you get that pistol?”
Moss flippantly replies, “I got it at the getting place.” His line demonstrates his humor at the seriousness of his situation. Moss also understands from his own experience that guns may be the only method for him to resolve his conflict and keep the two million dollars he found in the desert. Interestingly, Moss is rather funny with his delivery of this line and his unawareness of imminent danger.
Viewers learn later from the dialogue of the Sheriff and an additional scene toward the end of the movie that Moss is a decorated veteran of Viet Nam. He is no stranger to guns; rather, he knows them well. In the scene where Moss discovers the money, viewers find that he is able and apt at loading the pistol he found during his investigation of the opening scene. The foreshadowing of the guns is instrumental in this movie, as it determines the plot and defines the characters. The Sheriff even notes Moss’s dexterity and resolve by stating to a deputy that “Moss seen” the same things he had, implying that they had both been in Viet Nam.
The opening monologue by Sheriff Bell expresses some disdain over guns, he talks about how some of the “older” Sheriffs did not even carry guns, yet Ed Bell clearly understands that guns serve a purpose in his line of work.
Ed Bell does not wish to become entrenched in a situation he “does not understand.” The use of a gun for Sheriff Bell is even more understandable as he and a deputy enter the Moss trailer, hoping to resolve this problematic situation before it becomes an uncontrollable one. Sheriff Bell instructs his deputy to brandish his pistol “high,” in case they happen to find Chigurh in the dwelling. Even in this scene, the camera is closely focused on the deputy’s gun. But Sheriff Ed Bell is conflicted about the use of this type of violence, which is one reason he retires at the end of the movie.
After Moss sends Carla Jean to stay with her mother while the battle occurs, one of the first things Moss does is buy a rifle.
Again the focus is on the gun, at a local dealer where Moss buys it. Moss again demonstrates his dexterity with a gun by ordering the correct ammunition and testing the gun. The camera is always angled on the gun, emphasizing its importance to the story.
Though guns are a central focus in this “Spaghetti Western,” it is also obvious that not all killers use guns. Chigurh, for example, uses an air-compressed gun for his deeds. Yet Chigurh’s actions in the film are the least understandable. Even the Harrelson character, who seems at first bright and apt, does not quite understand the villain in this film. Carson Wells never brandishes a weapon, though readers are given enough information in various scenes to know that he is quickly able to use a gun, if necessary.
Despite viewer expectations, Chigurh wins the day, killing both Carson Bell and Moss, along with a host of other characters as the film proceeds. Moss uses his gun in a hotel room scene to wound Chigurh, but he is not able to win the day. Chigurh not only kills Moss but it is implied that he eventually kills Carla as well.
Thankfully, the scene of Carla’s demise is omitted from the film.
The importance of guns is never far from the center of the camera. Even when Moss leaves the hospital and meets a guard, he is spared only because of his veteran status in Viet Nam. The fact of the power of guns also defines the characters, and it is certainly one reason Sheriff Bell retires; he can no longer understand criminal behavior of this magnitude. He cannot fathom the mind of someone like Chigurh and he is opposed to guns when possible. An interesting fact lies in certain camera shots that display Sheriff Bell carrying a gun.
Guns play a large role in this film, but more obviously, they also define characters. We understand Moss better only after we know that he is a war veteran.
The opening scene with him hunting in the desert is a foreshadowing of events to come. Despite Moss’s expertise, he is beaten by Chigurh in the end. Ostensibly, Sheriff Bell retires because he wants nothing more to do with guns. The idea the film leaves to viewers, is simply that old-fashioned techniques may not thwart a modern-day criminal.
Of course, the film is violent in theme and story, though guns play a prominent role in defining characters and action in the film. Guns define the winner in this epic struggle. The main shots of the camera are always focused on the gun, when available.
Some viewers may also conclude that guns define gender roles in this film, especially those shots that focus on the weapons and the men who carry them. Viewers must note that guns influence the entire film, with all of its violence, and it is only fitting to keep them in the center of the camera angles.
Interestingly, Sheriff Bell retires in the same way his character begins in the movie—without a gun. Moss is killed despite his dexterous knowledge of firearms. Sheriff Bell does not want to deal with those things he does not understand.
Therefore, it is fitting that he retires without a gun. Similarly, Moss cannot save himself despite his emphasis on guns and his vast knowledge.