Javier Bardem’s Captivating Portrayal of Anton Chigurh in No Country for Old Men
Javier Bardem’s performance in the role of Anton Chigurh in No Country for Old Men is truly outstanding. During the casting process, the Coen brothers were looking for an actor who could bring the character to life with an extraordinary appearance. Anton’s mysterious background and peculiar looks contribute to this idea, making him a unique character. Anton’s appearance is remarkably unusual; his hair and clothes seem mismatched. He often wears a cold and emotionless expression, only showing glimpses of joy when discussing dark topics. His voice is low, calm, and gravelly, never raising in anger or any other emotion. His movements are a curious combination of stiffness and fluidity, emitting a frightening aura. Even how he eats peanuts at the gas station feels strange and eccentric, though he demonstrates impressive precision and composure when tending to his wound.
It is worth noting that Anton is highly resistant to pain and handles challenging situations with exceptional calmness. Despite his name sounding Hispanic and the accent Bardem uses, the film never provides a definite background for his character. The ambiguity surrounding him adds mystery, leaving us with a sense of a man who does not quite fit into the world around him. In the scene with the deputy, he is an eerie figure from an unknown origin. While the deputy is busy on the phone, Anton uses one of his primary tactics—caution and cunning. Silently, he slips his legs out of the handcuffs and approaches the deputy without making a sound, then ruthlessly strangles him without mercy. Anton’s face becomes a mask of pure fury and a hint of pleasure during this act. After finishing the deed, he calmly washes his hands and casually walks over the lifeless body to retrieve his belongings before leaving. Although the rage displayed during this encounter is not seen again in the rest of the film, his impartiality, cruelty, and emotional cunning are evident in many other scenes involving Anton.
The Thrill of the Hunt or Greed for Money?
Anton lacks a clear motive or purpose in his mission; it seems he pursues it solely for the excitement of the hunt. Whether he is chasing Llewellyn Moss to claim the money for himself or to fulfill his task is still being determined. For instance, Anton shoots his employer for hiring Mexicans to join him in hunting down Moss, criticizing the accountant for not realizing that a job requires choosing the right tool. It is possible that even after killing one of his employer’s colleagues, Anton may still return the case to them since he never explicitly states his desire to keep the money for himself. It indicates that his character is more concerned with the thrill of the hunt than with money.
However, the theory of his disinterest in money could be challenged by his killing of two men at the shootout site in the desert, who are also members of the same company. It could indicate that he is motivated by money. In order to back this up, it is crucial to cite details from the novel, as it offers a more distinct view of the issue. In the book, Anton eventually returns the money to his employer upon retrieving the briefcase, and he even mentions that things will be different now.
Deciphering Anton’s Intent
Based on this information, there are two possible explanations for why Anton kills those first two men with the transponder. The first reason could be that his boss instructed him to do so. These men were involved in a drug deal that went wrong, resulting in them losing favor with their boss and being put on a hit list. This scenario aligns with the events in the book and is one plausible explanation.
The second scenario is related to what Anton says to the accountant in the office building about choosing the right tool for a job. He likely killed these men because they were viewed as tools who ended up being wrong for their job, leading to the entire ordeal and deserving death in Anton’s eyes.
Balancing Principles, Pleasure, and Ambiguity
The film remains faithful to its source material so that both reasons could be correct. Anton’s boss may have ordered the murders, or Anton might have done it based on his principles or motives, including financial gain.
Regarding principles, Anton has a twisted sense of reason. Most of what he does has a purpose behind it. From killing the men whose cars Anton takes to avoid detection by the police to murdering the hotel clerk who recognizes him, each action has its reasons. However, his game with the gas station clerk seems less driven by reason, and it is possible he did it out of disgust or simply for his pleasure.
While Anton might have given the gas station clerk the option to live, it appears he did not necessarily need to kill him. This ambiguity in the film allows for different interpretations. For the speaker, the scenarios from the book make the most sense, but they acknowledge that others may have different perspectives.
A Complex Portrait
Anton derives pleasure by engaging in seemingly purposeless actions, like playing with his victims, such as Carson Wells and Carla Jean Moss. It indicates a sadistic side to his character, and he enjoys these acts. Anton adheres to a philosophy of pragmatism. He carefully plans every move, using the right tools for each task. His conversation with Carson reflects this, as Anton questions the usefulness of rules that lead to unfavorable outcomes. He avoids unnecessary risks and always seeks the most efficient path to achieve his goals. Carelessness is not a trait one would associate with Anton.
Considering that his mission may involve returning the money to his boss, it suggests a particular loyalty on Anton’s part. This loyalty becomes evident when he refrains from killing the accountant in the office, as the accountant did nothing wrong and belongs to the same organization as Anton. It demonstrates his loyalty to his organization, and he seeks to eliminate potential liabilities that could harm their operations. However, Anton lacks consideration for human life, showing no remorse or empathy for his actions. He would kill anyone, even defenseless children if they stood in his way without hesitation. He is a true psychopath, devoid of any redeemable qualities, except perhaps for his loyalty to his organization, which is not enough to outweigh his psychopathic nature.
Unraveling the Enigma of a Ruthless and Distorted Mind
In summary, Anton’s values are deeply twisted, marked by sadism and pragmatism. His lack of regard for human life, remorse, and empathy makes him a thoroughly unsympathetic and psychopathic character. However, he never kills just for the sake of killing; there is always a twisted purpose associated with the murders he commits. Considering all these aspects, Anton Chigurh becomes an enigmatic being from another world, a monstrous figure driven by warped principles, hunting his targets ruthlessly and relentlessly. He can kill anyone and anything in his path until he achieves his goal. His lack of compassion, remorse, or empathy leaves us with a character who possesses only one redeemable quality amidst a sea of terror.
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