The conclusion of Llewelyn's story could have been effective were it not included in the narrative, it's ambiguous absence could have been construed as necessity of plot redefined, yet because its result is depicted in the film we are left to wonder exactly why the Coens felt the need not to include it. There is no satisfactory answer, and we are left unfulfilled, forced to let our emotional investment in the film dwindle and dissipate. We finish the film only to see how the central antagonist will complete his journey, and to see it displayed in full detail is little more than salt in the wound.
That said, the technical prowess of the creators of this film is astounding. The direction is brilliantly understated, provocative and unconventional, drawing on the standards of the Western genre to heap tension on (a tension left unreleased, as I mentioned). The acting is superb, Brolin and Tommy Lee Jones in particular leave no stone unturned in their wonderfully drawn performances. Javier Bardem does a good job of saying little and acting unsurprised, but I have a feeling this will be one of the very few films of note that Bardem will participate in, unless he decides to fulfill his father's (the underrated and ultimately fascinating director Juan Antonio Bardem) wishes and help to establish a national cinema in Spain.
The 3-Disc treatment the film receives in this edition is more than adequate for the casual viewer, and is essential for anyone who was left satisfied by the 2008 Academy Awards. Featurettes on the making of No Country for Old Men abound, including an amusing one by Josh Brolin. Also included are Q&A sessions, filmed appearances by the actors, interviews, and TV shows, all of which contribute to the establishing of No Country for Old Men as a modern-day classic. The third disc is populated by a digital copy of the film, so if you are one of those 'on-the-go' type people who like to watch movies on game machines and tiny screens then you should get this, if only to cut yourself with.
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