The Ending: After ruthless assassin Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem) is presumed to get away with the money, Sheriff Ed Tom Bell (Tommy Lee Jones) talks to his his wife (Tess Harper) about two dreams he had. The first involved him losing some money his (now dead) father gave him, and the other has his father riding a horse ahead of him on a mountain pass, setting up a fire in the distance and waiting for him. Then, Tom simply says, "And then I woke up." After a few ambiguous glances, cut to black. Why It's Awesome: Though some were left underwhelmed by the relatively vague climax to the Coen Brothers' Best Picture-winning classic western, really listen to what Bell is saying and it becomes much more interesting. The lost money obviously reflects his current case, while his father riding up ahead has numerous interpretations, namely holding a mirror up to Bell's own age and future death (joining his father). More than anything, it just seems to reconcile the title of the movie, that Bell was ultimately an old man who was pretty much helpless to prevent the bloodshed that went on, which while certainly not a happy ending, keeps perfectly in step with the film's haunting, existential tone.
Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes).
General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.
