I should start by saying that I normally hate black and white films, they really annoy me. I think it's because colours really show emotions and give films more character, I just find it more interesting. But in this case I survived watching this whole film, and came to realise that the black and white made this movie more.. mysterious. It was probably the better choice than making this in colour,... read more
Description:1949, Santa Rosa, California. A laconic, chain-smoking barber with fallen arches tells a story of a man trying to escape a humdrum life. It's a tale of suspected adultery, blackmail, foul play, death, Sacramento city slickers, racial slurs, invented war heroics, shaved legs, a gamine piano player, aliens, and Heisenberg's uncertainty 1949, Santa Rosa, California. A laconic, chain-smoking barber with fallen arches tells a story of a man trying to escape a humdrum life. It's a tale of suspected adultery, blackmail, foul play, death, Sacramento city slickers, racial slurs, invented war heroics, shaved legs, a gamine piano player, aliens, and Heisenberg's uncertainty principle. Ed Crane cuts hair in his in-law's shop; his wife drinks and may be having an affair with her boss, Big Dave, who has $10,000 to invest in a second department store. Ed gets wind of a chance to make money in dry cleaning. Blackmail and investment are his opportunity to be more than a man no one notices. Settle in the chair and listen.... (more)(less)
"June 10
"He told them to look not at the facts, but at the meaning of the facts. Then he said the facts had no meaning."
Next to Blood Simple, this is the most underrated movie that The Coen Brothers have made. I loved Billy Bob Thorton's performance in this movie and I think it's better than his performance in Sling Blade. (Although that was a good performance too.) I also love how it's in black and white so it resembles an old film-noir. This was a great movie from start to finish and it's"
"An excellent neo-noir movie by the Coen Brothers with Billy Bob Thornton excelling in the lead role as a barber who blackmails his wife's boss and lover for money to invest in dry cleaning but his plan goes terribly wrong. "
"
Beautiful, stylish neo-noir crime drama but I found it to be a little bit of a bore in parts. Great to watch but nothing that kept me on the edge of my seat."
"First viewing - Jan. 14th
Visually this film is astounding. The majority of the shots could easily be framed & hung on a wall as art, which I found myself frequently impressed by. The story is excellent too, though I expect nothing less from the Coen Brothers. I was also very impressed by the acting, especially Billy Bob Thornton who had me wondering why he hasn't done more good movies. Can't recall the last time I saw a trailer for a film of his I wanted to see.
And so while I did thoroughly"
"The man who wasn't there as third Coen movie in a row is also one of my three favourite movies of the Coen brothers. Again money and the death because of money are main objects of the movie. I love that.
The Coens frame their movies around their stories always in a distinctivly entangled and entertaining way. No country for old men, Fargo and not at least The man who wasn't there, which is often buried in oblivion, are at the top of the best of their movies.
I love it that you can really rely "
the count added this to a list 5 months, 3 weeks ago
"A bit underrated compared to the rest of their filmography; it's usually considered more of a second tier Coens film. Nonsense, this film can easily stand by their better known classics. The Coens redefine neo noir with this brilliantly told tale of a man trying to improve his life, until everything all goes wrong. The film can even feel almost existential in parts, with it's focus on the meaningless of it's characters life. Thorton's ultra serious demeanor and the very somber atmosphere of it a"
Explore
Join Listal
Movies
TV Shows
DVDs
Music
Books
Games
Lists
Reviews
Images
7 comments
Watched in 2013
Movies Watched In 2013
Dear Cinema Diary - Vol 4 E3 - Spring 2013
My Film Collection
Academy Award for Best Cinematography: 2000's
Movies the giraffe watched: January 2013
Movie Diary - December 2012
Movie Journal - 2012
The Evolution of Billy Bob Thornton
The Coen Brothers Ranked