Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
Bookmark this pageThe Man Who Wasn't There (2001)
Director: Joel Coen
Movie review
From Time Out Film Guide
Set in post-war California and shot by Roger Deakins in ravishing, steely b/w, the Coens' predictably unpredictable crime movie - about an impassive, deeply internalised, reluctant barber whose doubts about his wife's fidelity lead him into a perilous realm of blackmail, homicide and obsessive feelings for a customer's teenage daughter - may be inspired in part by Cain, but it's neither noir nor thriller. Though it's touched by typically absurd or surreal moments of humour, it's otherwise quite meditative and arty. It's a brave and largely successful attempt to explore the inner workings of someone who simply doesn't feel the way most of us do. Indeed, he doesn't feel very much at all, and when he does, he doesn't get it. In this the Coens' sly script is helped no end by Billy Bob Thornton's supremely eloquent performance as the taciturn tonsor, lent terrific support from Frances McDormand as the wife.Author: GA
User reviews of this film
-
- Magmabulle said...
- Posted on Jun 07 2008 23:56 The Coen brothers have made a great homage to the film noirs. It is very good-looking, the story is well-written and Billy Bob Thornton is brilliant as the quiet barber.
- Report as inappropriate
Cast & crew
Director: Joel Coen
Producer: Ethan Coen
Cast: Billy Bob Thornton, Frances McDormand, Michael Badalucco, James Gandolfini, Katherine Borowitz, Jon Polito, Scarlett Johansson, Tony Shalhoub full cast
Duration: 115 mins
Top Stories
Ben Drew aka Plan B interview
The singer, rapper and now film director discusses his debut film 'Ill Manors'
Cannes Film Festival 2012: final round-up
Dave Calhoun draws the curtain on the world's greatest film festival
Ridley Scott interview
Director Ridley Scott tells Cath Clarke why he's making a science fiction comeback
What do you think?
Post your review now