What backstory do you need? The characters and the scenery spoke for itself.
They did? SO we know WHO Chigur is related to? We know who the dead Mexicans worked for? How did the bust go bad? Who did it? Why were the drugs AND money still there? We know everything about the main antoganist?
If you answered no to any of these questions, then indeed, there was NO back story.
Woody Harelson was an important foil for us to better understand Chigurs role in the story.
Nooooooo...he only stated the obvious. Chigur was a relentless killer who had his own perception on revenge and reality...gee...uhhh...ya fuckin THINK!?!?!?!? Thanks for clearin that up, Woody...I would have never figurted that out without his clever dialogue 3/4's way into he movie..
Tommy Lee Jones WAS the centerpiece of the story.
As I stated...or did you miss that part?
*SPOILERS*
The movie is about regular people living in a world where the threat of death is constant. The desolate landscape was symbolic of a desolate future. Chigur was supposed to embody death itself (grim reaper). Notice how there were never cops around Chigur (except the one he choked)? When death comes no one can save you -- was the message they were getting across.
Thats fine and dandy, but what in the FUCK does that have to do with it missing a backstory? Any movie can be symbolic...in fact many are. Does that make the movie GOOD? Obviously not...and this movie is a perfect example of that.
Moss finding the money was about regular people trying to have a better life through monetary gain, no matter what the cost(He gave up his wife's life, in effect).
See above.
However, how do we KNOW he wants a luxurious life? Maybe he is content in his trailer. Is he in debt? Does he owe money to loan sharks? From the first scene in the movie, he was seen shooting at wild game, and seemed very content with that....
It's called No Country for Old Men because of the death of the traditions of an older generation and the lack of respect for old ways.
Again, i dont give a fuck about "symbolism"...that alone does NOT make a good movie. The ending was the biggest give away of the name of the movie by far...Tommy retiring. Tommy is old. No Country for Old Men. Wow...real whimsical there Coen's. *gives gold star*
This is a very quick rundown -- the movie is much deeper than people give it credit for, or care to realize.
Or care to care about. Point is, it was NOT good, I did NOT enjoy it...and it did NOT deserve Best Picture.
*shrugs*
It is what it is.