tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post2214903160735419794..comments2024-01-30T04:32:47.585-05:00Comments on The Cooler: Searching for ChigurhJason Bellamyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18150199580478147196noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-45366164112698101112014-07-19T17:32:15.790-04:002014-07-19T17:32:15.790-04:00The significance of the close up of the dime is th...The significance of the close up of the dime is the superimposiotion to the country landscape.also his sigh of resignation. relates to the phrase " accept all that comes to you in life with simplicity . opening quote from " A Serious Man". This is the end of Bell's life . He was blind sided , which happens like clock work throughout this film and "A Serious Man. The film dissolve denotes the Hindu Vedic idea of the Bardo moment When someone who is searching for god. Remember : Bell says I was hoping God would enter my life and he never showed up. If the Bardo moment happens to kill you instead of lifting you to a higher level .This step to enlightenment continues . His conversation with the the blind seer ,décor is dark dingy and dirty, then later the conversation with his wife is clean full of light not claustrophobic because we can see thru the window sunlight and trees.Although Bell says he's been known to laugh we don't see him smile until this conversation with his wife. He recalls the afterlife dream.Final words" and then I woke up.waking, sleeping and dreaming are different states of consciousness.Bam he moves up to a higher level thru the redeeming love of his wife and Bam we the audience wake up from our collective dream experience of watching this movie and we transition back to our waking state and perhaps see the world thru new eyes. leading back to their opening line from A Seriuos man.Accept all that happens to you with simplicity. Brian LizotteAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07367784538433399296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-60422091084704210432014-05-28T04:19:52.478-04:002014-05-28T04:19:52.478-04:00I think the sequence symbolized Ed Tom wanting to ...I think the sequence symbolized Ed Tom wanting to catch and arrest chigurgh, he wanted him to be there, hence he imagined him standing behind the door, only to discover the harsh that he hasn't found him and probably never will, thats why in the next scene he says he feels overmatched, because in the end, i don't think it's the criminals who have become more evil, i think what ed tom fears the most is not the fact there are new modern criminals, he fears he is too soft and to old to stop them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-4153098855320489822012-07-06T01:05:01.899-04:002012-07-06T01:05:01.899-04:00I hesitate to comment on a posting from 2008. How...I hesitate to comment on a posting from 2008. However, since I don't see anyone proposing my theory, here goes.<br /><br />Chigurh <i>is</i> in the room, behind the door. The statement from Chigurh to the accountant is key "That depends, do you see me?". Chigurh clearly follows some strict code of rules. Initially Ed Tom does not see him. When he does, Chigurh has his gun aimed and there is no question of the outcome of the showdown. Instead of dying, Ed Tom "does not see" Chigurh. He lets him escape.<br /><br />This interpretation makes the movie more interesting, IMHO. The showdown does happen but Ed Tom <i>is</i> "over matched" and not up to defeating the modern evil. The first dream references this failure. His has failed his father's legacy by no protecting innocent people and not defeating evil. The second dream suggests forgiveness however. Ed Tom's death in the hotel room would have served no purpose. Sometimes evil wins but that does not mean his whole life was a failure. It's time to retire and leave the fight to the next generation of lawmen.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-39795261156108708302012-01-14T01:55:47.215-05:002012-01-14T01:55:47.215-05:00Great analysis! My favorite scene of the film. IMO...Great analysis! My favorite scene of the film. IMO, it's pretty damn clear that Chigurh was merely a symbolism of the fear confronting Bell as he deliberated on entering the motel room. When he saw the signature of Chigurh of the blown keyhole, Chigurh really was in the room in Bell's thoughts (brilliant depiction of this by showing Chigurh eerily standing in the dark, half his face covered with pure evil in his one eye). <br /><br />Practically, Chigurh couldn't have been there; the room was searched and the bathroom door was locked. Room 112 wasn't significant at all (the only reason why the rooms were switched at the previous motel was because the protagonist saw that his room was occupied).<br /><br />Disregarding all of that, the fear symbolism makes the most sense in the No Country for Old Men's theme.Bennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-31927171977351606252010-09-11T17:21:40.897-04:002010-09-11T17:21:40.897-04:00This is the key scene in the movie and consequentl...This is the key scene in the movie and consequently I would like to say you've done a great job in providing a logical arguement to support what the audience believes on first viewing only to question later given the difficulty most people not Chigurh would have in effecting an escape undetected in the time Bell enters the bathroom.<br /><br />However I although I believe you are spot on I would like to point out a fairly obvious hole in the script - Chigurh had to have left with his gun, the money bag and the humane killer (tank, hose etc).Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18354079364229344464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-15006617331065923062009-06-27T19:12:33.440-04:002009-06-27T19:12:33.440-04:00This is such a key scene in the movie, I think you...This is such a key scene in the movie, I think you've done a great job debunking the duff "two rooms" theory. Clearly it's explicit that Chigurh is in room 112 when Bell is hesitating outside the door, the whole fear and tension of the scene depends on it as does the outcome of the film. I don't ascribe to the theory that Chigurh is either an actual ghost or a figment of Bell's imagination. Therefore, I think Bell walks in end either fails to see Chigurh because he is too well hidden in the shadows somewhere, or because he daren't actually see him. <br />However something REALLY bugs me about this scene: the shadow of the tape on the wall. As Bell walks to the bathroom, the tape is starkly shadowed on the wall. When he comes out, the shadow is gone. Does that mean Chigurh slipped out of the door and broke the tape...? That would seem silly, surely he'd just duck out quietly. Then - this bit is the one that I don't get: when Bell sits on the bed, we look past him to the open door, and the shadow of the tape is back again, against the door! The only explanation I have is that there was a continuity error in filming the room from the two angles - looking in from the door, and looking out towards the tape. Probably the scene needed to be lit in different ways for the two points of view. I dread to think so but it's the only explanation I've come up with. If so, sloppy work :( And if not - what the heck is it supposed to mean?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-78467986998721730882009-02-07T17:22:00.000-05:002009-02-07T17:22:00.000-05:00I think we can eliminate one hiding place in room ...I think we can eliminate one hiding place in room 114. Chigurh is not behind the door when bell enters. If you up the brightness and contrast on the screen shot above of Bell in the door, you will see nothing behind the door in the shadow. Bell does not really look to his left so we don't get a shot of that side of the room.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-48351679377485063682009-01-18T22:45:00.000-05:002009-01-18T22:45:00.000-05:00Jameson: It's definitely misleading, because they ...Jameson: It's definitely misleading, because they don't use the device elsewhere. Although, that option is supported by the close-up of the locked window, which is screaming: "NO, HE DIDN'T SLIP OUT THE BACK." And it reenforces the notion that Chigurh is behind THAT DOOR (because Bell wouldn't worry about him standing behind a different one).<BR/><BR/>That said, I'm always of the mind that what the filmmakers say in interviews is irrelevant. Because intent is irrelevant. We see this in everyday life all the time: There's what we mean to say, and then there's what we say.<BR/><BR/>That said, you've provided an interesting tidbit that in some ways ends the mystery. But since the interview doesn't appear in the film, it shouldn't really be part of the discussion, in my mind.(If the Coens wanted it to be obvious, they should have made it obvious.)<BR/><BR/>That's my thinking anyway. Thanks for the comment!Jason Bellamyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18150199580478147196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-89694813424402734172009-01-18T11:54:00.000-05:002009-01-18T11:54:00.000-05:00I read an interview with the Coens where they said...I read an interview with the Coens where they said the shot of Chigurh was intended to illustrate Ed Tom's fear that he might be there - and only that. I agree with previous comments that it's a misleading shot because they don't use that device anywhere else in the film, but that's what they say they intended with that shot.Jamesonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13077205812735362025noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-70691597363081701582009-01-11T15:46:00.000-05:002009-01-11T15:46:00.000-05:00Any Friendo notice the shadow of the chair on wall...Any Friendo notice the shadow of the chair on wall opposite motel room door had moved when bell came out of the bathroom - was Chigurh behind the doourh?<BR/><BR/>...there's bills a plenty to pay yet...Sugar?https://www.blogger.com/profile/17397695067191857375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-42979343456425949042008-07-12T05:01:00.000-04:002008-07-12T05:01:00.000-04:00Alonzo: I think the satchel would fit into the rec...Alonzo: I think the satchel would fit into the rectangular area just on the other side of the vent plate (prior to the circular duct).<BR/><BR/>Actually, this got me to look again at that image (in the post above) and if you look carefully there appear to be drag marks in the dust of the rectangular duct, similar to the marks Chigurh finds at the previous motel after the satchel has been removed.<BR/><BR/>I think the first duct seems misleadingly large ("not quite 'Die Hard' size" -- I like that) because the camera takes us inside it for so long, playing a trick on the brain that makes us feel as if we fit in the duct.<BR/><BR/>Others chime in if you disagree.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for joining the discussion, Alonzo.Jason Bellamyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18150199580478147196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-82771856114096014162008-07-11T15:43:00.000-04:002008-07-11T15:43:00.000-04:00Great analysis, sir. I think you pretty much have ...Great analysis, sir. I think you pretty much have it wrapped up.<BR/><BR/>There is one other mystery, though, that I haven't heard answered. <BR/><BR/>Most people have dismissed the option that Chigurh escaped through the opened vent, and I agree. However, I also doubt that the money was in there, too. The perspective provided by the dime shows us that the vent in this motel is much smaller than the one that Moss used to hide the money before. <BR/><BR/>The first one was large and square-ish (not quite "Die Hard" size, but close). The second is near the floor and has a circular opening that looks to be about the width of a 2 liter coke bottle. This opening may open wider deeper in, but it wouldn't be wide enough for that large case that held the money.<BR/><BR/>At least, that's the way it appears to me. I'd be happy to be proven wrong. But if I'm not, why was the vent opened? Moss and Chigurh seem smart enough to look at that opening and immediately decide its too small for the money. The only thing I can figure is that perhaps Chigurh, having returned to the room, was starting to get desperate in his search for the money and was exploring possibilites that were less likely (Moss would have had to taken the money out of the case and inserted them into the hole bundle by bundle). Could it be that he was in the midst of exploring the vent when Bell interupted him, thus the reason he seems ever so slightly anxious/nervous in the shot of him behind the door?<BR/><BR/>I would love to hear anybody's input on this.Alonzo Mosley (FBI)https://www.blogger.com/profile/01518458463986396352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-7828203539224757732008-07-11T12:05:00.000-04:002008-07-11T12:05:00.000-04:00I watched this film last night for the first time ...I watched this film last night for the first time and had several questions, particularly about this scene. I've seen several theories on the web, and I think you've analyzed them excellently. Some things I thought about:<BR/><BR/><BR/>#1: It's obvious that Bell never considers room 112. No coin toss here.<BR/><BR/>#2: No argument necessary.<BR/><BR/>#3: This is a popular theory among those that don't accept #5. However, in a film with so much subtlety, why would the filmmakers need to SHOW us what Bell is thinking. We've seen the blown lock, Bell's fear and his hesitation. We already know what he's imagining.<BR/><BR/>#4: The front door is the only way out. Obvious.<BR/><BR/>#5: The only acceptable theory. It provides the most closure and meaning.<BR/><BR/><BR/>I've also seen another theory that wasn't addressed here. I don't personally agree with it, but the idea is that we do see Chigurh in 114, but at an earlier time, and he is long gone by the time Bell arrives. As I said with #3, why would they need to show us? We know who's been in the room.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-5441185815985006412008-06-10T12:41:00.000-04:002008-06-10T12:41:00.000-04:00Instinctively we know this scene is the key to the...Instinctively we know this scene is the key to the movie. I can't help but feel that what happens here must be interpreted by the viewer. It is not shown onscreen by the filmmakers. The precedent for this was Moss' death. I'm reminded of the double shadow as Bell pushes open the door. I feel it symbolizes the duality of Bell-Chigurh. And what about the parallels between the three characters? Chigurh says "Hold still" and the next line of the movie is Moss saying "Hold Still". When injured, both trade shirts for cash. Chigurh and Bell drink milk and watch their reflections in the TV set. They all share traits and they never meet each other.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-51135359452720342392008-06-10T11:41:00.000-04:002008-06-10T11:41:00.000-04:00Drew: Welcome to the debate!First, one clarificati...Drew: Welcome to the debate!<BR/><BR/>First, one clarification: In the conversation that has unfolded here, the dime on the floor is a metaphorical coin toss only. I don't think anyone has meant to suggest that Chigurh actually had a coin toss with Llewelyn. Yes, the dime is the tool to unscrew the vent and nothing more. That the Coens give it a close-up just shows that they understand the symbolism.<BR/><BR/>That said, you're the first person to note that the dime on the carpet could suggest that Chigurh was interrupted by Bell. I like that reading. Makes sense. (However, we should also remember this: Previously when Chigurh unscrewed the vent, he didn't find the satchel. It could also be read that he dropped the dime to reach in and grab the money.)<BR/><BR/>I like your reading of the duality of Chigurh, though I do have some quibbles: 1) We watch Chigurh step out from those handcuffs. Javier Bardem does it. It's certainly possible. Not superhuman. 2) Ghost or not all those people wind up dead, from gunshots. Is there a duality to Chigurh's character thematically? Sure. But my opinion still stands that he's all man. <BR/><BR/>Maybe this will seem like a contradiction, but I can argue that Chigurh is 100-percent real and that Bell doesn't see him for the very reasons you described.<BR/><BR/>For all that I think is clear by analyzing these scenes, there are certainly shades of gray. That's what's so much fun.Jason Bellamyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18150199580478147196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-34546547524459601402008-06-10T11:10:00.000-04:002008-06-10T11:10:00.000-04:00I think a lot of people are misinterpreting the di...I think a lot of people are misinterpreting the dime on the floor. It does't indicate Bell won a coin toss. Calling "heads" wasn't necessarily a winner; Chigurh gave the person the option of calling it. Furthermore, Chigurh flipped a quarter, not a dime. The quarter was the right tool for the coin toss. The dime was the right tool for unscrewing the vent. Also, we don't need the dime to tell us Chigurh was had been in the motel room. We already knew that from the blown lock and the open grate. Only Chigurh knew Moss hid the money there. The dime tells us more! The tool being left on the floor, and not returned to Chigurh's pocket as it had in the Del Rio scene, indicates that Chigurh was INTERRUPTED by Bell's approach to the door. This explains Chigurh's presence behind the door as Bell observes from the other side. Chigurh dropped the dime, grabbed the shotgun, and hid behind the door.<BR/><BR/>I'm also not in agreement with the theory that Chigurh cannot be a "ghost" because nowhere else in the movie did he appear supernatural. Effortlessly sliding handcuffed wrists underneath his feet and defeating a highly-successful police restraint seems pretty unlikely for all but a circus freak contortionist. (try this one at home). And I don't think it has to be black and white. There can be a duality to Chigurh's character, both as a human for plot sake and as a symbol/metaphor for meaning. The Coens stated in their interview with Charlie Rose they purposely tried to make Chigurh's appear more humanlike (the long scene with him tending his wounds). Why would they need to do that if he was in fact solely human?<BR/><BR/>Finally, one must consider several dialog clues given in the film. The accountant wasn't killed because he did not "see" Chigurh. Wells exclaimed surprise at Moss's claim that he had "seen" Chigurh and was not dead (Moss had in fact seen only a window reflection). Chigurh told the boys "You didn't SEE me" so he would not have to kill them. Bell stated at the beginning of the movie that he did not want to "meet" something he did not understand. Given these clues it is reasonable to conclude that Bell did not metaphotically "see" Chigurh in the motel room because he was unwilling/unable to see the death/evil he stated he feared in the opening monologue.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-7200649229436085172008-05-20T18:01:00.000-04:002008-05-20T18:01:00.000-04:00Amazing analysis.I'm going to consult the script. ...Amazing analysis.<BR/><BR/>I'm going to consult the script. It should be there in black & white.<BR/><BR/>My own take is that it's Bell having a dream.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-91835005306936899102008-05-20T15:55:00.000-04:002008-05-20T15:55:00.000-04:00Reading this was almost as much fun as watching th...Reading this was almost as much fun as watching the film again. The Coen Bros. would be very proud, I think - nicely done.Danielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05222052132452709301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-52531508026872454582008-05-13T00:54:00.000-04:002008-05-13T00:54:00.000-04:00I think this has been the most brilliant plot devi...I think this has been the most brilliant plot device in at least the last 30 years and I love that we are all thinking and talking about this. Here are my thoughts after multiple viewings:<BR/> <BR/>Chigurh would never draw upon Bell. The psychosomatic legend that he has imbued upon this lawman is enough. And Chigurh knows and loves both the psycho and scheming somatic aspects of this. He likes people to call it. Having the upper hand is the brilliance of this film. Chigurh knows he could blow Bell away. But he can’t call it. He’s waiting for Bell to call it. <BR/><BR/>I believe Chigurh is there, hiding in the shadows but spares Bell. He is not scared, there is no fear in his face, but he will kill anyone if drawn upon. But Bell knows this, sort of. In the back of his mind, Bell knows he’s there, somewhere, everywhere. Isn’t that the point? <BR/><BR/>Bell is giving up. He has already given up. Chigurh IS a ghost, the one Bell has never seen but has been hunting. The brilliance of this is that they are finally in the same room. Bell knows he’s there, in person, realizes this later becomes his internal monologue to his old man’s partner and his dream to his wife. <BR/><BR/>Meantime, it’s real. Bell, by not flinching, doesn’t for a second. He sits quietly, just as they both sat quietly on that couch of Moss’ trailer and drank from the same milk jug, Chig’s new, Bell’s slightly sweating.<BR/><BR/>Guys like Chigurh will multiply and he never signed up to be in the nasty business that this is/was this part of having a gun and hunting bad guys. He walks into that room knowing who is there but he is ready for his life to end. He knows he has been beaten. Thus he turns in his gun. <BR/><BR/>I hate to say it but Bell and Chigurh have followed the same path and each chose their final branch. But both know what exactly that entails. <BR/><BR/>Smart movie. Smart people. Smart comments.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-41758215716200241172008-05-12T22:41:00.000-04:002008-05-12T22:41:00.000-04:00Luke: Interesting. It is a reach to use Chigurh’s ...Luke: Interesting. It is a reach to use Chigurh’s obscured facial expression as evidence that he’s not actually in the room. Then again, there does seem to be an element of tension (I’m not sure I can go as far as fear) in Chigurh’s face that is unusual. Can’t say I’d picked up on that.<BR/><BR/>I agree that the under-the-bed idea is absurd. But I think the truth is somewhere in the periphery of Mark’s theory: I don’t think Bell sees Chigurh, but I do think it’s entirely possible that he looks right at him and doesn’t see him, because deep down he doesn’t want to. Craig noted earlier that there’s quite a bit of light coming from the headlights of the truck, but honestly: If you were walking into a dark room that might contain Chigurh, would you settle for that? Only if you didn’t really want to see him.<BR/><BR/>Which brings me to this: If Chigurh is indeed scared on the other side of that door, doesn’t that eliminate the possibility that it’s Bell’s vision? Because Bell is undoubtedly scared, and Bell knows just how unrelenting Chigurh is (just by following his path of destruction). I don’t think Bell pictures Chigurh as possessing fear.<BR/><BR/>But back to the room: Yes, as Craig noted and others have implied: it’s small. That’s why I think that to miss Chigurh you’d kind of have to want to miss him. My point is only that the Coens are explicit in showing the latched bathroom window but they do not show every nook and cranny of darkness in the room. Thus, however implausible they seem, there are several areas of the room I could tell you that Chigurh must be (because we’ve just seen him behind the door) and no one could argue any different. Beyond the story-significance factor (it’s simply worth more to both characters if Chigurh is in the room), I’m left with this: There is visual evidence that Chigurh is in 114. There’s no visual evidence saying that he absolutely could not be in 114 (all those unexplored corners). Thus he must be in 114.<BR/><BR/>Wally: As for the “missing floor” mystery: I’ve read theories related to this, too, but I think it’s a lot of talk about nothing. Your assumption about there being no floor No. 13 is perfectly logical and simple. And so that’s what I’m going with (note: couldn’t it also be that one of the numbered floors is below ground, since Wells mentions counting them from outside?). When it comes to the Desert Sands motel mystery, I admit of course that there’s room for debate. But I still conclude that most of the clues point to Chigurh being in 114. That’s the simplest reality and the most straightforward reading. And I think the same applies to the missing floor mystery.<BR/><BR/>Thanks, all, for the continued discussion. Feel free to keep the comments coming, and to tell me I have it all wrong. It’s wonderful to have such thoughtful readers.Jason Bellamyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18150199580478147196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-77607135253914154232008-05-12T13:22:00.000-04:002008-05-12T13:22:00.000-04:00I like your theory and your blog. I do, however, f...I like your theory and your blog. I do, however, feel the need to bring up the mystery of 13. In an earlier scene, Wells (Harrelson) tells his employee (Stephen Root) that his building is missing a floor. I assume it's the 13th floor, as most building of that height skip the floor out of superstition. In this case, where is Room 113? Just wondering if it has anything to do with the mystery of where is Chigurh?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-87163670597996815352008-05-11T06:25:00.000-04:002008-05-11T06:25:00.000-04:00Jason--your case seems airtight. But there is a fi...Jason--your case seems airtight. But there is a final detail you didn't mention, which I saw come up in a huge debate on this subject on IMDb. It's for the "Bell's imagination" thesis. The shot of Chigurh crouching in the shadows is the only time we see him look scared! Reaching, I know. But it <I>could</I> be argued that he looks nervous--or at least unsure of himself, which would be a first for this character. In literally every other shot, his expression is stern, or determined, or cocky--but not here. Why?? <BR/><BR/>Combine that with the absurdity that he'd be under the bed, hiding in the alcove, squatting on the floor, whatever, and I still have my reasonable doubt that he's in the room at all. If he is, then I'd almost have to go with Mark's theory that Bell is aware of his presence--or else Chigurh (here's a weird thought) is actually afraid of Bell.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-91411443615478057942008-05-10T18:49:00.000-04:002008-05-10T18:49:00.000-04:00Thanks for responding, Jason. I certainly agree th...Thanks for responding, Jason. I certainly agree that Chigurh deciding to let Bell live is perfectly plausible within his own particular sensibility -- though he does tend to announce his presence to others before deciding their fates. What I find unlikely is that an experienced cop like Bell would fail to notice a tall, rather distinctive-looking individual with a shotgun in a motel room roughly the size of my living room and kitchen. Admittedly Bell leaves a bit to be desired in a law enforcement officer, but I don't see anything prior to this scene that suggests he's that incompetent.<BR/><BR/>I actually prefer your theory to the "Bell's imagination" argument. Perhaps if the final scene between Chigurh and Carla Jean had been played instead between Chigurh and Bell -- regardless of the novel -- it would have been even more compelling (though less fun to argue about).Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01450775188328918558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-76432050225655357032008-05-10T14:47:00.000-04:002008-05-10T14:47:00.000-04:00Craig: As far as cinematic 'cheats' go, I'll give ...Craig: As far as cinematic 'cheats' go, I'll give you that showing us the Chigurh we know as the visual representation of Bell's fear wouldn't be much of a cheat, even though Bell has never actually seen Chigurh. And in that sense the locked bathroom window could be read as underlining that, no, no flesh-and-blood person escaped the room. Still, it would be inconsistent, so I'm sticking with Chigurh being in 114.<BR/><BR/>As for running from a fight: You're right, he doesn't. And that's why he wouldn't go out the back window or through the air duct. But just because Chigurh doesn't kill Bell doesn't mean he's running. It just means he doesn't have a beef with Bell and doesn't see him as a threat. Chigurh didn't run from the guy at the gas station, but he lived. And Carla Jean might have lived too if she'd played the coin game. And that's why I'm so convinced that Chigurh <I>is</I> in the room, because it fits with his strange moral sensibilities.<BR/><BR/>But that's me. As I've said elsewhere, it doesn't really matter (what matters is that Bell thinks/fears Chigurh is in the room and goes in anyway). Thanks for adding to the conversation!Jason Bellamyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18150199580478147196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-53307182265659624972008-05-10T13:21:00.000-04:002008-05-10T13:21:00.000-04:00First, thank you for resolving a mystery -- altho...First, <I>thank you</I> for resolving a mystery -- although ancillary to the central one you address here -- about Chigurh and the motel room map. I never could figure out why Chigurh takes that room (nor his odd close-the-door-and-quickly-reopen-it gesture), and Emerson's "he's always next door" theory compounded my confusion, especially after counting the doors separating Chigurh from the Mexicans. It makes perfect sense now.<BR/><BR/>As for the Sheriff Bell/Chigurh non-showdown, I should probably explain my reaction the first time I saw that scene. When Bell enters the room and we are given a close-up of the window, I interpreted that to mean that Chigurh had in fact escaped via that route. Bell's sigh of relief as he sits on the edge of the bed immediately afterward seemed to confirm this; so too did the later scene between Chigurh and Carla Jean, when she sees the open window to her house right before encountering Chigurh in her room.<BR/><BR/>While I may be influenced by the fact that my own windows are impossible for the uninitiated to tell when they're in the latched position and when they're open, I'm willing to accept the conventional wisdom that the bathroom window in the film is in fact locked.<BR/><BR/>But while you make a compelling case that Chigurh is in the room when Bell enters, I still don't quite buy that reading. I just watched the movie again last night, focusing particularly on that scene. For starters, it's not a large room. Secondly, I think Bell doesn't turn on the main light because there's quite a bit of light from the outer hallway already coming into the room for him to see. He <I>does</I> turn on the light in the bathroom, so why would he be afraid of seeing in one room but not the other?<BR/><BR/>Finally -- and this also bothered me with regard to the possible escape out the window -- as you touched upon, Chigurh isn't one to run from a fight. The only instance where he does is when Moss shoots him in the leg (and vanishes a little too easily and unconvincingly). Envisioning Chigurh hiding behind the door, under the bed, in the alcove, or even in the shadows is too ridiculous for me. Thus, I'm leaning to the idea that Chigurh's presence behind the door is in Bell's mind. That Bell doesn't know what he looks like doesn't bother me terribly -- it's a visual representation of the idea that matters. You are correct that a "nightmare vision" doesn't jibe with everything that precedes the scene, but I think it does fit thematically with what comes after: Bell's final scene and the recounting of his dreams.Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01450775188328918558noreply@blogger.com