Movie adaptations of novels rarely surpass the genius of the originals. No Country for Old Men comes close. Subtle changes in the action sequences caused the film to burst with tension and anxiety. I would but have you picture in your mind Moss sitting on the edge of the bed with his shotgun, watching the shadow of Chigurh glide under the door. Then the light in the hallway go black.
Perfect.
In nearly every way, the movie captured the tone and brilliance of the novel. Except for one key moment: the murder of Carla Jean.
In the movie, the dialogue between Carla Jean and Chigurh is pared down to a razor’s edge. The novel, however, provides far greater insight into the twisted principles of Anton Chigurh—a fated reaper if there ever was one. Instead of a scythe, he carries a silenced shotgun and a slaughterhouse bolt plunger.
Sitting in a chair across from Carla Jean, he stares at her, listening to her question the sensibilities of his murderous intent. We read in the book:
She sat slumped forward, holding her hat in her arms. You’ve got no cause to hurt me, she said.
I know. But I gave my word.
Your word?
Yes. We’re at the mercy of the dead here. In this case your husband.
That don’t make no sense.
I’m afraid it does.
I don’t have the money. You know I aint got it.
Yes.
He’s dead. My husband is dead.
Yes. But I’m not.
You dont owe nothin to dead people.
Chigurh cocked his head slightly. No? he said.
How can you?
How can you not?
They’re dead.
Yes. But my word is not dead. Nothing can change that.
You can change it.
I don’t think so. Even a nonbeliever might find it useful to model himself after God. Very useful, in fact.
You’re just a blasphemer.
It’s a poignantly striking statement made by Chigurh: Even a nonbeliever might find it useful to model himself after God.
What does he mean by that?
Should we understand that this psychopath has some very real understanding of the immutability of God’s nature, and that such unchangeability—such inability to lie (Hebrews 6:18), for example—establishes a strategic model, or an advantageous methodology, for human beings? Christians are being fashioned into the image of Christ. But in the hands of this diabolical agent, he sees a dark thread whereby he can leverage an advantage.
But how?
Earlier in the story, when Wells is summoned to track down the money, the man hiring him throws out the idea of cutting a deal with Chigurh. Maybe he could pay him off.
Wells responds with wide eyes, “Oh, no, no. You don’t understand. You can’t make a deal with him. Even if you gave him the money he’d still kill you just for – inconveniencin’ him. He’s a peculiar man. You might even say that he has principles. Principles that transcend money or drugs or anything like that. He’s not like you. He’s not even like me.”
Wells is no simpleton. He’s a hitman accomplished in the arts of survival and killing. And yet here he is admitting that Chigurh operates on a plane that sets him apart from even uncommon men.
Chigurh is a theologian of sorts. But a hellish one. The nature of God exists as a pattern for emulation, not unto holiness, but as mere utility, as a means of self preservation.
We see this when Carla Jean pleads for her life. Having given her a “chance” by allowing a coin flip for her life, and upon her failing to call it correctly, she looks at him one final time, saying:
You don’t have to, she said. You dont. You dont.
Oh God, she said. Oh God.
I’m sorry.
He shook his head. You’re asking that I make myself vulnerable and that I can never do. I have only one way to live. It doesn’t allow for special cases. A coin toss perhaps. In this case to small purpose. Most people dont believe that there can be such a person. You can see what a problem that must be for them. How to prevail over that which you refuse to acknowledge the existence of. Do you understand?
After explaining his rationale further, she said that she did understand, sobbing.
I do. I truly do.
Good, he said. That’s good. Then he shot her.
