First film made by writer-director brothers Joel and Ethan Coen, this is classic crime pulp noir all the way. Set in searing Texas, it's the twisted story of cheating spouses, a crooked private detective moonlighting as a hit man, and the insanely jealous husband who stirs the stew of bad activity up. You can relate to all the characters because they're so simple ( like you and me)---folks just living a boring life, working dead-end jobs at honkeytonk bars and restaurants, making mistakes and paying the damn price for every stupid decision they make. Frances McDormand is sultry, uncomplicated, and sexy as the 'simple' slut caught in the love triangle; airheaded as can be but you'd still wanna take a roll in the sack with her if the opportunity arose. John Getz, one of her cheating lovers, is boneheaded 'simple' beyond good sense in his part as he covers up murder and mayhem in one misunderstand after another in order to protect his shapely new lay. Dan Hedaya is understated and outrageous as seething bar owner Marty (constantly down antacids), who puts the kibosh out on his unfaithful wife via sleazy P.I. (and moonlighting hitman) M. Emmet Walsh, who is greasier than the walls of a gunk-filled fast food deep fryer. Of course, nothing is what it seems as each character misinterprets what the other is doing and then the double-crosses begin and ricochet with everything ending in blood, sweat, tears, mayhem, and murder. BLOOD SIMPLE is pure Coen Brothers and a slow-burn movie with long, languishing takes of the action unfolding (chalk full of exquisite Sam Raimi-inspired photography) which may try the patience of today's fast-paced audience expectations, but for my money, this movie is a winner from A-Z. Give it a chance and see what you think. Out here in Texas you're on your own. In-fucking-deed!
First film made by writer-director brothers Joel and Ethan Coen, this is classic crime pulp noir all the way. Set in searing Texas, it's the twisted story of cheating spouses, a crooked private detective moonlighting as a hit man, and the insanely jealous husband who stirs the stew of bad activity up. You can relate to all the characters because they're so simple ( like you and me)---folks just living a boring life, working dead-end jobs at honkeytonk bars and restaurants, making mistakes and paying the damn price for every stupid decision they make. Frances McDormand is sultry, uncomplicated, and sexy as the 'simple' slut caught in the love triangle; airheaded as can be but you'd still wanna take a roll in the sack with her if the opportunity arose. John Getz, one of her cheating lovers, is boneheaded 'simple' beyond good sense in his part as he covers up murder and mayhem in one misunderstand after another in order to protect his shapely new lay. Dan Hedaya is understated and outrageous as seething bar owner Marty (constantly down antacids), who puts the kibosh out on his unfaithful wife via sleazy P.I. (and moonlighting hitman) M. Emmet Walsh, who is greasier than the walls of a gunk-filled fast food deep fryer. Of course, nothing is what it seems as each character misinterprets what the other is doing and then the double-crosses begin and ricochet with everything ending in blood, sweat, tears, mayhem, and murder. BLOOD SIMPLE is pure Coen Brothers and a slow-burn movie with long, languishing takes of the action unfolding (chalk full of exquisite Sam Raimi-inspired photography) which may try the patience of today's fast-paced audience expectations, but for my money, this movie is a winner from A-Z. Give it a chance and see what you think. Out here in Texas you're on your own. In-fucking-deed!
