Blood Simple

[Toddy]

Just happened to catch the restored director's cut of this on one of the Canadian movie channels the other night and was very impressed. Early (1984) Coen brothers film for those of you not in the know. Twist on standard film noir, and in some ways sort of an answer to Body Heat, in that conventions are all twisted around. Characters are always acting with no idea of what they're actually doing, right to the conclusion. Murders never take place on a face-to-face basis. Script is intricate and masterfully plotted. Very "arty" look to the movie as well. Cinematography--by Barry Sonnenfeld, oddly enough--is pretty lavish and there are a lot of touches reminiscent of Hitchcock. I think Tom's recommended the movie here before, so I'd like to second that.

Anyhow, seeing Blood Simple turned me around about the Coen brothers, whom I've never liked all that much. Then I happened to catch Fargo on the same channel yesterday. And returned to my earlier perspective. I still can't stand that movie. What seemed natural, albeit a little playful in Blood Simple, seemed forced and obvious in Fargo.

[Bub, Andrew]

It was also their first movie (to my knowledge).
I agree with you about Blood Simple, couldn't disagree more about Fargo, and I'm sitting here really hoping you've seen more Coen Brothers movies than just these two.

Anyway, sounds like you might like Miller's Crossing too.

[JeffL]

Hey Brett, Blood Simple was my first Coen Bros exposure - great movie. I loved Fargo - it's probably a love it or hate it flick.

If you liked Blood Simple, try out The Man Who Wasn't There and give us your thoughts.

[Bub, Andrew]

I still can't stand that movie. What seemed natural, albeit a little playful in Blood Simple, seemed forced and obvious in Fargo.

Actually, wasn't it supposed to be "forced and obvious" in Fargo? I think that's what they were going for. That scene, for example, where she meets the asian guy from High School for lunch. It has nothing to do with the movie, it's just sitting there and it's genius.

[Dirt]

The scene where the female sherriff/deputy meets the old high school friend has everything to do with the movie. It's yet another irony amongst the many ironies in the film. Here you have a guy who lives in the big city filled with innumerable people, yet, he's entirely lonely, empty, isolated. On the other hand you have this woman who lives out in a small town where many people would consider to be in the middle of nowhere yet she is far from isolated; she lives a simple self-fulfilling life with a good job, good friends, a good husband and a child on the way.

[Bub, Andrew]

Nicely done Dirt! I was talking about it not fitting in with the film's narrative. I never thought about how it fit in the film's theme.

[mtkafka]

For some reason I dont like the Coen brothers anymore. I thought they were pretty cool before. But everytime I watch there movies now, it all seems cold and calculated. Even Raising Arizona. And they seem to have some smug attitude towards characters, which is why most of there characters are clowns. There not neccsarily bad directors (they still make good movies), but I think they are too clever for there own good, standing above the audience, a condescending tone it seems. Thats just me though.

etc

[Tom Chick]

There not neccsarily bad directors (they still make good movies), but I think they are too clever for there own good, standing above the audience, a condescending tone it seems. Thats just me though.

I sort of understand, mtkafka, but personally, I still love what they're doing. In the director's commentary for The Man Who Wasn't There, you get the sense that they're doing a lot of goofing around; like as not, they're just being quirky for quirkiness' sake. Ultimately, however, I think they're clever enough that it all comes together and rises about whatever inside jokes they're making.

BTW, they're wretched commentators. I hope they either spare us director's commentary on future releases or at least show up to the recording session with a few notes in hand.

-Tom

[mtkafka]

I still like most Coen Brothers movies... but I think they can be so much better if they loosened up. I think its more that they seem like a popular version of David Lynch (who seems to have the same feel but doesnt seem restricted) ... anyway... while watching a Coen brothers movie, everything seems too meticulous. I still think Barton Fink is there best movie though... its Kafkaesque!

etc

[Toddy]

To continue with my Coen Brothers filmfest this week, I watched The Man Who Wasn't There yesterday. And liked it quite a bit, though I felt that it went on too long and had far too neat an ending. Didn't have that false characterization (I couldn't agree more with mtkafka here) that always bothered me about Fargo. Billy Bob Thornton was fantastic in the lead role, too.

[mtkafka]

The Man Who Wasnt There is the only Coen brothers movie I havent seen. I'll have to rent it.

BTW, what did you guys think of Mulholland Drive? Awesome movie! I loved it. David Lynch is leet!!!

etc

[Anonymous]

Three words: The Big Lebowski. Another movie that plays with the convensions of film noir, with hilarious results!

[Troy S Goodfellow]

So am I alone in thinking that Blood Simple stinks?