“No Country for Old Men” and “There Will be Blood:” Best Pictures? Best Scores?

By Aaron Osborne

These two heavyweights are definitely the two best films of the year, and while neither was nominated for best score, they were certainly two of the most effective soundtracks of the year. While the Coen brothers will probably snag best director, and Daniel Day-Lewis has a good shot at best actor, which of the two will take home best picture? Both films are uniquely great, and whichever one wins will be no testament to their quality. But, it is still interesting to speculate and compare their impeccable styles.  

While neither of these pictures were nominated for best musical score, one of the more interesting aspects of these films are their incredibly original soundtracks, or in the case of “No Country,” the lack thereof. Jonny Greenwood (Radiohead guitarist) composed the music for “There Will be Blood,” which added an incredibly eerie sense to the film that paralleled Plainview’s character exquisitely. The drama that this music creates is absolutely terrifying, adding to one of the most eccentrically brutal characters in recent film history.

While “No Country for Old Men” almost completely lacks a soundtrack, this only added to the film’s purity and realism. There is also something to be said for one of the most uniquely suspenseful films in years providing a riveting and shocking cinematic experience without the use of music. This is traditionally one of the easiest ways to provide suspense and fear, and the Coen brothers tossed it out the window!

On the one hand we have one of the best character analysis films since “Citizen Kane,” and on the other one of the truly greatest film experiences in years. These are truly two great films, with each bringing completely original combinations of filmmaking. Whichever takes the Oscar is of no matter, for I am merely content with having witnessed these two great films in the same year.