Review of Blood Simple (1985) by Rachel B — 17 Mar 2010

It's no secret I love the Coen's work and this movie is a testament to why. This was not the first Coen Brothers film I ever saw, in fact I just watched it recently, and I wonder what took me so long.

I love the way this film comes together and the emotions it triggers as it unfolds. Because it is done on a small budget and in the Noir style, I felt it captured all the subtleties with the same vigor as the obvious keeping you entranced each step of the way.

I see so much of this film in the brothers other work and it has been interesting to watch them evolve while staying true to their style of film making. Although there is some very dated elements, I feel like you could almost place this film as their most current even though it is their first. I feel the same way about Millers Crossing, which by the way, was the first Coen Brothers film I ever saw and why I admire their work so much.

Barry Sonnenfeld, who also collaborated on Millers Crossing, does a remarkable job of filming and uses many creative angles and shots to pull the viewer in to the story, which is by no means a gentle tale. Stunning performances from an otherwise obscure cast, Frances McDormand's debut and a chilling performance by M. Emmet Walsh, really do this film justice.

Blood Simple is a violent and thrilling tale of double crosses, infidelities and greed. It is complex, suspenseful and stylish, lending great credence to the genre.