When Is No Country For Old Men Set

Okay, let's talk No Country for Old Men. Great movie, right? But when exactly does all that craziness happen?

The Obvious Answer (Or Is It?)

Most people say 1980. The movie "tells" us that. Dialogue mentions it. Case closed? Not so fast, my friends!

I’m about to say something controversial. Prepare yourselves. I think it's *almost* 1980, but...maybe a little earlier. Hear me out.

Think about it. That Anton Chigurh haircut? That feels a *smidge* earlier than 1980. Maybe it is me.

And the cars! Sure, they're from that general era. But they have that gritty, late-70s vibe. Like they've seen some stuff.

Plus, the whole atmosphere? It feels a bit more "pre-yuppie" to me. A little less polished. More raw.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. “The movie *says* 1980! Are you calling the Coen Brothers liars?”

No! I'm just saying... maybe they were aiming for a *feeling* of 1980. A general late-70s/early-80s blur. Because they are really good at feelings.

A cinematic approximation of a time. A vibe. A suggestion of a year, if you will. Like saying a cake tastes like "fall".

So, here’s my (slightly tongue-in-cheek) theory. What if it’s, like… 1979.5? Or 1979 and three-quarters?

Okay, okay. I'm joking...mostly. But seriously, consider the evidence. The subtle, almost imperceptible clues.

The way the light hits Josh Brolin's mustache. The specific shade of beige in that gas station. These things matter!

Ultimately, does it *really* matter if it's 1979, 1980, or 1980.2? Probably not.

But isn’t it fun to overanalyze things? To pick apart a masterpiece and find tiny little details to obsess over?

It's what makes us movie fans. It's what keeps us coming back for more Coen Brothers' weirdness.

After all, isn't the point of art to make us *think*? To question things? Even the seemingly obvious ones?

So, next time you watch No Country for Old Men, take a closer look. Feel the vibe. Smell the West Texas air.

And then, decide for yourself. Is it *really* 1980? Or is there something else going on? You tell me!

Maybe we should just ask Cormac McCarthy, he would definitely know...probably.