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Quote of the day:
"Look Lois, the two symbols of the Republican Party: an elephant, and a fat white guy who is threatened by change." -- Peter Griffin (while riding a circus elephant) |
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 Review: The Man Who Wasn't There
By Jack on March 5, 2002 1:51 PM
Last night I had the fortunate pleasure of watching the Coen Brother's latest film "The Man Who Wasn't There" at the Mission Theater and Pub (Beer plus Food plus Movie=Good!), here is my review:
Directed By: Joel Coen
Written By: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Photography: Roger Deakins
Starring: Billy Bob Thornton, Frances McDormand, James Gandolfini, Michael Badalucco and more..
Billy Bob Thornton plays Ed Crane, a barber working for the family business he married into. He doesn’t like to talk (although he narrates the film) and seems generally dissatisfied with his life but never really mentions it to anybody. He even believes that his wife, Doris (Frances McDormand) is having an affair with her boss, Big Dave (James Gandolfini), but just lets it slide until he tries to spice up his life with a little blackmail which goes horribly awry.
Billy's performance is phenomenal. You can't help but think can this really be the same actor who gave such a memorably twitchy, jaw-jutting tour de force in Sling Blade? In that film, Thornton exaggerated his character's outsider status to draw us into the story; here, his well-manicured normalcy keeps us at a distance, but you'll notice the overall feel of the film benefits greatly from this.
The Coens definitely know how to create film noir, and the decision to print in black and white and the primitiveness of visual technology really reflects this, capturing both the mood and setting of a small post-war California town. Each shot is so carefully crafted using light and shadow that you could almost say some are too perfect.
Conclusion: While some may say that "The Man Who Wasn't There" is a film noir for devotees (including yours truly), this is a highly satisfying and brilliantly made film. The photography is stunning and shot to perfection, illustrating what is obviously a deep and loving knowledge of black and white cinematography. The look of the film on its own is worth the cinema fee, as it is flawless. With that I give this film a 8.5/10.
Pre-Order this film from Amazon.com: (15% of profits go to the save dtheatre.com fund) The Man Who Wasn't There.
DTheatre.com also recommends the following related films: O Brother, Where Art Thou?, Fargo, Millers Crossing, Blood Simple, The Big Lewbowski
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Reader Discussions:
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Posted by Skullfire (skullfire@clarinmail.com) on March 5, 2002 2:56 PM
Just by curiosity, which movie/s is for you a 10/10?
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Posted by Jack (jack@dtheatre.com) on March 5, 2002 4:05 PM
That's a very difficult question to answer. When I write a review I don't always write what I think the score should be. For an example in my book I think that the above reviewed movie would be more along the lines of a 9.2. However I feel that when writing a review that more than one person will be reading I should try to the best of my ability to figure in all aspects, including the way other people will view it. The fact that I know one person who did not at all like this film makes it go down a fraction of a point.. the fact that I thought perhaps the shots were a little to perfect once again results in said actions.
I've never given a film a perfect 10 and in the event I do see a film that deserves such a score I fear I may never be able to watch a movie again.
Understanding the theory above I'd say the movie that comes closet to the "perfect ten" is (hold your breath):
The Princess Bride
Many may argue this but it's an almost perfect film, the way it's shot, the script, characters and story, the acting and all. Once again this my opinion.
On a personal note the movies I think that come closest are:
Raging Bull
A Clockwork Orange
The Usual Suspects
Dr. StrangeLove
Glitter
But that's just my taste in movies.
You probably got more then you expected out of this comment, but anyway.. I hope you all realize that's a joke about Glitter. :)
I'm serious about The Princess Bride though.
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Posted by Daredevil (DD@marvelcomics.com) on March 5, 2002 3:17 PM
That's a good question Skullfire. A 10, which represents the perfect movie, one that has no flaws. The only movie I can think of that scores a perfect 10 is "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid".
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Posted by Dixie Dyanamite (No Email) on March 5, 2002 3:21 PM
"Quick Change"
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Posted by Darth_Merlin (The.Force@stonehenge.org) on March 5, 2002 3:26 PM
"Raiders of the Lost Ark"
&
"Buckaroo Banzai"
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Posted by RED (Duster1@usa.net) on March 5, 2002 4:16 PM
Yup, those are good flix, and a good answer Jack. "The Usual Suspects" is a movie that I too, belive borders perfection. The first time I saw it, we were sitting in the theatre, the previews had just ended and some a--hole pokes his head into the theatre and yells "It was the cripple"!. Luckily, we got so wrapped up in the movie that it didn't really phase us. Although many like to rip that movie, claiming there are many holes in it, I easily list it as one of the greatest. Some others
Godfather 2
Sleepy Hollow
Blade Runner
Training Day
Predator
The Blues Brothers
2001
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Posted by Jet Li (Wushu@hotmail.com) on March 5, 2002 4:20 PM
All my movies are perfect, just like a little boys behind.
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Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on March 5, 2002 4:26 PM
You make me sick Jet Li.
There are lots of movies that I think are in the "10" range, and almost no Jet Li movies made it in, except for "Once Upon A Time In China 2", which I must admit was awesome. In that view I have great respect for you Jet. You are one hell of a perfectionist when it comes to exquisite moves.
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Posted by Galactus (Deep Space) on March 5, 2002 4:32 PM
Jet Li is entitled to his opinions mortal as are we all. All "10 Lists" should include: Howard the Duck, The Fantastic Four, X-Men, Captain America, The Punisher, and the small indie film: Red Wolf. End Transmission.
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Posted by Skullfire (skullfire@clarinmail.com) on March 5, 2002 8:32 PM
I have to choose movies that I could watch several times, because the thrill for some scenes is always the same (I agree with some of the above listed like Usual Suspects, but I use another criteria now):
-Casablanca (all love stories are based on these)
-Aliens (when the Sigourney enters the nest till the end)
-Ghostbusters 2 (every ghost they fight)
-X-Men (waited for that almost 7 years)
-A Few Good Men (Tom Cruise finally pumped out from Mr.Nicholson)
-When Harry met Sally (orgasm and Billy's jokes)
-Dave (how he cut money FOR the children)
-The Rock (Nick Cage is the hero)
-Stargate (last battle against Ra)
-Mediterraneo (italian)
-The Mummy (fight against the dead warriors)
-Episode I (death of Qui Gonn Jinn & Darth Maul)
Of course I'm short with that list. I also recommend to every latin people a movie from my country "Esperando la carroza" (Waiting for the chariot) that is hilarious.
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Posted by Skullfire (skullfire@clarinmail.com) on March 5, 2002 8:38 PM
I forgot Indy & the Last Crusade and Raiders of the Lost Ark.
No explanation needed.
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Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on March 5, 2002 9:40 PM
I prefer foreign movies when it comes to atmosphere and drama, not to mention action. A movie shouldnt be judged on perfection on how real it is but what it tries to express, however un-real that may be. I guess when you see movies from other countries it doesnt seem real or good acting but for those of that culture it is as real as any of the movies suggested above.
Jet Li, why dont you piss off with your child comments. I know you think you are funny but no one else does. Dont you realise that? Keep your fantasies to yourself, Im sure there are people on this site who have been thru what you joke about and being the self-righteous, racist a$$hole that you are you should learn to respect that. You are such a frikkin geek, looking for a cheap thrill wherever you can get it at the expense of other peoples feelings. I know this is exactly the reaction you are looking for because you are such a pathetic loser.
Get a life dopey f*ck!
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Posted by Skullfire (skullfire@clarinmail.com) on March 8, 2002 11:10 AM
It's not because I don't like Jet Li, but I rather see a Chow-Yun Fat movie. They are really good, like Replacement Killers.
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Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on March 13, 2002 4:26 AM
Top five:
Back to the future
Deer Hunter
Deliverence
Apocolypse Now
Jaws
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Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on March 20, 2002 7:05 AM
Me? what did I do? I just want a friend, why does no one like me?
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