Review of The Man Who Wasn't There (2001) by Kyle V — 10 Nov 2008

This film has some really beautiful shots. The Coens were careful to try to make the film as true to its noir roots as possible, while also adding int heir own blend of black humor and themes of loneliness and being forgotten.

Billy Bob Thornton puts off a very Humphrey Bogart feel as Ed Crane, a barber who doesn't have much to say, but has alot to think about, including whether or not his wife is two timing on him. The story unfolds when a crummy con man gives Ed a shot at the dry cleaning business, citing that "it's the future". Ed Crane takes the offer and hilarity and problems ensue from then on, including murder, deceit, and greedy thoughts by every other character but Ed, who is stuck in the middle of a huge debacle over nothing.

The film does well to provide for the noir feel, and I think it holds true to that feeling. iw on't even call it neo noir, because it captures the original essence and beauty of a true film noir so well. Where (in my opinion) Chinatown and Blade Runner failed to provide the noir feel to it's fullest extent, The Man Who Wasn't There picked up the ball and ran with it back to the hey days of the grit and tragic glamour that came with the film noir genre.