|
| Man Who Wasn't There, The |
|
  (6/10)
|
Runtime: 116 |
| Public Rating: 7.86 (7 votes) |
Director: Joel Coen |
MPAA Rating:  |
| Genre: Drama/Comedy |
Year: 2001 |
| Writer(s): Ethan Coen, Joel Coen |
| Reviewed by: Vadim Rizov |
| |
Even at their very worst, the Coens are never boring, but they nearly get there in this neo-noir, despite the film's technical superlativeness, the fine cast, and the obvious subtexts. Yes, Roger
Deakins' (processed in the lab) black-and-white photographyis shimmeringly gorgeous, but the Coens can't seem to figure out the purpose of this whole exercise. Alternately dour and smirking, the film is ultimately split straight down the middle; still, all this makes for a more interesting misfire than most.
Ed Crane (Billy Bob Thornton, terrific as always) is a barber quietly working and residing in Santa Rosa, California. Innofensive is the best word to describe him; he doesn't talk with the customers or, indeed, with anybody. He knows his wife (Coen regular, and wife, Frances McDormand, equally good) is having an affair with Big Dave (James Gandolfini, fine in a small and thankless part), but he accepts it. He finds an investment opportunity quite by accident, and anonymously bribes Big Dave for the needed sum. The next thing he knows, there's a dead body and his wife's in jail.
The Coens set out, obviously, to make a philosophical noir: there are existentialist under-pinnings and German philosophers galore. What's missing is a point: Ed, by the end of the film, may view life differently, but he's still the same quiet, patient, self-effacing (and self-deceiving) man he was at the beginning of the film. Meanwhile, the Coens introduce a sub-plot with Birdy Abundas (Scarlett Johansson, of Ghost World), a piano prodigy, or so Ed thinks. Taking her to a top-notch piano teacher, he is informed that she plays "like a very nice girl" but is totally without musical passion (something the critical listener will have noticed long before being so informed by a character). That's kind of like this movie: intelligent, interesting, but totally without any invigoration. Perhaps that's why the out-of-place moments of comedy are such a relief. Nevertheless, the film is well worth seeing on the big screen for its gorgeous cinematography and (overly-) mournful tone.
|
 Printable Version
|
Do you agree/disagree with this review of Man Who Wasn't There, The? Let your opinions be heard in our forum.
|
Buy the Poster of Man Who Wasn't There, The (Click Here)
|
|
|
|
