Research: No Country for Old Men editing

One of the scenes we were showed in a seminar was the petrol scene in No Country for Old Men. This scene features a customer wanting to pay for petrol, Anton, and a petrol store clerk, Gene having a conversation but in a more tense and intimidating manner. It begins with them conversing as normal but when Anton questions why Gene wants to know where he is from, he calls him 'Friendo' in a very intense manner and we see shots cut to Gene to show his concerned and nervous expression. The audio in this scene is a low, quiet sound of the wind outside and therefore provides a more tense atmosphere as they have silences in parts of the conversations.

Anton's voice is also very deep and intimidating as he stares unnaturally at the store clerk, questioning his conversation topics such as 'Is there anything wrong?'. When the clerk wants to close up, Anton asks when they close so he replies 'Now' but then Anton sternly says, 'Now is not a time, what time does the store close'. This tension is also emphasised by the nooses featured hanging up behind the clerk; connotations of nooses that are used to put people to their death and therefore this symbolises death within the character's history. We then see the camera turning into mid-shots of Anton as he asks when Gene goes to bed and this emphasises the uncomfortable and tense atmosphere. Gene always says, 'Sir?' when he doesn't understand why he is being asked all of the invading questions but Anton's replies get shorter and firmer,

When Anton finishes eating his sweets, from the store, he puts it onto the counter where the camera films it slowly opening up and this shot lasts a little longer than expected, creating more tension as the audience await for the outcome between the sore clerk and Anton. The clerk is then subjected to partake in a coin toss and although he is unclear on the reason for this, he luckily guesses the outcome correctly. As we wait to see if he was correct, Anton slowly unveils his hand from the coin but then quickly says 'Well done' as if there was nothing to be worried about.

This scene features a variety of midshots and close up shots as the tension between the pair becomes emphasised through the close ups of the wrapper and shots where we see Anton's face closer to the camera. Also with the midshots of the nooses in the background, symbolising a sense of fear and death for the audience as though something is going to happen to the clerk. When Anton finally leaves the store, the scene ends on a long shot of Gene stood behind the counter confused and shocked.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4Wek1VIfjA