Review: Blood Simple. (1984) · 8:58pm Apr 2nd, 2016
The Coen Brothers' debut feature, Blood Simple., is a vital part of their filmography, not only because its a debut that already shows artists confident in their own skill, but also as a sort of stripped down, demo version of much of their later work.
In yet another example of the Coen's continuing study of the eclectic microcosms of America, this time, the Coen's focus their attention on backwater Texas, painting a dark and morbid picture of the place, as personified by M. Emmet Walsh's hyena-esque private investigator who masks his sociopathy with a constantly joking country hick personality.
The direction is remarkably assured for a first timer, with the camera moving broadly and with personality, creeping around and stalking along like a Voyeur, peering around corners while also maintaining an aura of ambivalence. The two protagonists, played by John Getz and Francis McDormand (in her first film), are in adultery with each other, and the film holds no real illusions to the validity of their 'romance'. Both are shown as not exactly the sharpest tools in the shed, and in their own attempts to hide their affair, only manage to get themselves into a whole heap of trouble.
Ticking along slowly, and lit with subtle stylish neo-noir cinematography by Barry Sonnenfeld (also his first motion picture), and with Carter Burwell's moody synth score, the film is a slow burn, and supremely stripped down when compared to the Coen's later work. But it still has the bubblings of what would become their trademarks: A simple plan gone wildly awry, a misunderstanding leading to doom, a creepy sociopath, and an overall cynical and satirical peak at a corner of America.
So, suffice to say the film was a satisfying watch. While obviously not as gleefully devious as, say, Fargo, or as impactful as No Country for Old Men, its still a vital watch, especially to see how far the Coen's have come from this humble, yet assured debut.
5 out of 5 stars.
When will we get a Batman v Superman review? I've been waiting for it since I saw the movie.
3844303 When I get a chance to see it.
My desktop broke, so I can't download a cam, and I'll be damned if I actually go, spend money, and therefore validate the film's existance in theaters.
3844570 Cool. Sorry for your desktop.