Monday, January 9, 2012

Man Who Wasn't There (R) 7.5

The Man Who Wasn't There (2001): A laconic, chain-smoking barber blackmails his wife's boss and lover for money to invest in dry cleaning, but his plan goes terribly wrong. (7.7)

Director: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen (uncredited)
Writers: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Stars: Billy Bob Thornton, Frances McDormand and Michael Badalucco

This movie, shot in black and white in the "film noir" style, is a great tribute to the 40s and 50s era movies. Still, it is a bit different from that style in the sense that there's no detective or a private eye; and the protagonist, who is also the narrator, is the main player in pretty much all of it. The casting for the various roles is perfect, specially that of Billy Bob Thornton. There is humor and comedy sprinkled at places, but not too much, and rightfully so since this isn't a comedy but (I think) is a tribute/mimic of that golden era of film noir. My Rating: 7.5

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