Coen Brothers

Fargo, although I don´t much care for it, might be the best representation of the Coens. If someone asked me to show them what the Coens are all about with just one movie, I would pick this one.


In a way, and with this I´m going a bit off topic, these two always make the same movie. A normal person (or several) who finds himself in problems with his luck fading all the way to the end. I can´t think of one movie by them where this does not happen (but then again, I need to watch more). Usually these characters are simple people, often from small towns in the heart of USA who have to deal with problems far beyond their level of comprehension. Yet, the Coens don´t make fun of them. And it would be easy to do that. But no. They show how these simple people are not dumb because of their simplicity. They might look dumb, they might sound dumb, but they act and react fast (probably the best example is Brolin´s character in No country for old men). I think that in this way the Coens succeed in making movies, or at least in writing them, as I think they are way better writers than they are directors. In a way the director who most resemblances the Coens is Kevin Smith, wouldt you think? As a fact if discussion takes on from here that might be cool! Just a thought...


Edited by el böthy - January 18 2009 at 13:15

Oh Brother Where Art Thou for me.  Always nice to see a modern interpretation of the classics. Choosing the characters was just amazing, especially Goodman as the Cyclops and the Sirens.

Liked Fargo a lot. Still trying to decide just how good No Country For Old Men was. My view sometimes gets obscured by thing that are overly hyped. It was good though.

Just saw Burn After Reading. Pretty hilarious movie. It really makes you think. Is there enough intelligence in Washington for a real conspiracy? How many stupid scenarios like that does the CIA actually get stuck with? You spy  on enough people, I'm sure some really crazy stuff happens that has no real national security value. 

Peter wrote: Cage, Goodman, and the Lone Biker of the Apocalypse are all quite good in it -- such a zany, fun film!

I don't think I've ever not laughed when Gale and Evelle realizre that they left the baby. John Goodman yelling always makes me laugh nonstop, except in Barton Fink when he scared the pee out of me.

O Brother, Where Art Thou?

is a brilliant film, I remember watching it years ago and really enjoyed it

I've seen all but 3 and 1/2 of the films up.  Two of which I have decided to permanently ignore (Ladykillers, Intolerable Cruelty), and the other two are Miller's Crossing (saw half), and Hudsucker Proxy (willing to watch, but not that interested).  

Fargo!!!

I guess I shouldn't vote as I've only seen a few of them, but Blood Simple was such a brilliant film that I just have to vote for it because nobody else probably will.

The Big Lebowski, I watch it at least once a week.

Not a big fan of them, but The Big Lewosky and No country for old men are pretty solid movies. I went for Lewosky cause of the acting of John Goodman and Jeff Bridges

I've seen only 7 of them, my favorite being No Country For Old Men. A monster of a film ... I'm quite thick skinned when it comes to horror and suspense, but this movie is simply ... creepy. It gets to you!