Films/DVD Asylum

"The Man Who Wasn't There"

24.91.201.174

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ Thread: Display Email Next ] [ Films/DVD Asylum ]

rico

(A)

This 2001 Coen Brothers film has become a favorite. Ostensibly a neo-noir, it eschews the high contrast black and white of forties noir to achieve a beautiful "color" using all the shades of the gray scale. Billy Bob Thornton is the private eye-type narrator, except that in this film he's a barber. Unhappily married to Francis McDormand, who is cheating on him with her boss (James Gandolfini), he tries to blackmail the boss, with tragic results. Scarlette Johansen (sp?) also stars. In typical Coen Brothers wacky fashion, about an hour into the film a minor character calls on Thornton and starts talking about aliens.

Follow Ups:

I agree - Troy 08:23:10 08/31/04 (0)
One of those great movies that just fell between the cracks on it's original release. Sadly, i'm sure the studio gagged on the fact that it was in black and white and failed to promote it. One of my favorite Coen flicks.
And yes, like every other Coen brothers movie, it gets better and better with repeat viewings. Subtle and nuanced.
This is a mightily under appreciated masterpiece . . . - albee33 19:54:26 08/30/04 (6)
Not only is the cinematography outstanding, Billy Bob nails it. That's his time period ('48 or '49?). The opening sequence with him describing haircuts had me rolling.
- Re: This is a mightily under appreciated masterpiece . . . - Bambi B 08:44:33 09/07/04 (0)
  albee33,
  I was bowled over by this one. As you say the photography and acting by Thorton was impressive, but what struck me equally was the convincingly seredipitous plots and sunplots. The events and characters that fade in and out- the sub plot of the girl that Thorton wants to promote as a concert pianist that shows Thorton's longing for involvement, connection into family, to be noticed. And the murder which was the explosion of all his held-in life-long frustrations rang very true. The very accidental way in which he gets interested in the dry cleaning too worked very well for me as you could see him suddenly latching onto the idea as a way to break the pattern of his very dull, passive life as an employee barber. The barber shop owner was a very realistic character as well.
  My favourite Thorton along with "Sling Blade". Compare Thorton's personality and appearance in those two- he's quite amazing.
  [I'm not too sure of Thorton's judgment in his personal life- pushing Angelina Jolie out the door is something I would have recommended he thought about a bit longer..]
  "TMWWT" was so indelible I haven't seen it since it came out, but thanks rico for the reminder for another go.
  Cheers,
  Bam
- Re: This is a mightily under appreciated masterpiece . . . - jamesgarvin 08:36:25 08/31/04 (0)
  What I did not appreciate until I watched the special features is that the tragedy and deaths in the film all occur because the Billy Bob Thornton charachter wants to be a dry cleaner. In most films, people kill for love, sex, money. He kills because he wants to be in dry cleaning. Classic Coen. They were almost giddy explaining the backstory.
- Re: It also may look like a masterpiece without being one... - patrickU 00:39:47 08/31/04 (3)
  I did like the film, but I am not so certain about it. How many times did you see it?
  - Re: It also may look like a masterpiece without being one... - rico 06:04:09 08/31/04 (1)
    I have seen it four times and enjoy it more each time.
    - Re: It also may look like a masterpiece without being one... - patrickU 06:39:30 08/31/04 (0)
      I will it give a second look then.
  - Duo . . . * - albee33 05:50:24 08/31/04 (0)
    n

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

Schiit Audio

You can not post to an archived thread.