Review of The Man Who Wasn't There (2001) by Jesse G — 03 Apr 2008
Bafflingly brilliant, this is probably the Coen Brothers oddest, coldest film, and is unlikely to be liked by anyone except Coen devotees. Those who do watch it though will be rewarded with a utterly consuming, engrossing film.
Beautifully shot by regular cinematographer Roger Deakins in stark black and white and deep shadow, with a superb leading performance by Billy Bob Thornton, as well as great supporting performances from Frances McDormand and James Gandolfini, The Man Who wasn't There is vintage Coens; borrowing heavily from film noir and various other sources, but with that unique Coen Brothers twist.
This won't be too everyones taste, and it's more like the Coens of Blood simple, than there more screwball films like Raising Arizona, but The Man who wasn't there is truly original, sometimes confusing, but always brilliant.
This review of The Man Who Wasn't There (2001) was written by Jesse G on 03 Apr 2008.
The Man Who Wasn't There has generally received very positive reviews.
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