Review of The Man Who Wasn't There (2001) by Elaine M — 07 Jun 2009

Surely the most visually beautiful Coen movie yet made, 'The Man Who Wasn't There' follows an unsettlingly calm and emotionless barber who blackmails his wife's lover and sits back unprepared as his plan spirals out of control.

Typically meticulously scripted and perfectly cast (referring particularly to Frances McDormand, Billy Bob Thornton, James Gandolfini, and Tony Shalhoub), but what sets it apart from all other Coen movies is the sheer gorgeousness of the soundtrack- granted it's pretty much all Beethoven solo piano sonatas (and mostly the same one over and over again), but it really gives the movie the poetically chilling atmosphere that perfectly compliments such a still plot and heartless characters.

Of course not the best Coen brothers movie, but come on, there is some serious competition there, and this one is still fantastic...