Director's Series - The Coen Bros. BLOOD SIMPLE (1984)

Back in 1984, a pair of brothers from Minnesota burst into the Cinematic world with an audacious ode to classic 1940’s/’50’s film noir, BLOOD SIMPLE, Directed, Written and Edited by Joel and Ethan Coen.

Taking place in a backwater Texas burgh, BLOOD SIMPLE tells the classic film noir tale of sex, revenge, money and murder with the bad guys turning on each other and where no on is really innocent.

This debut film works marvelously well thanks to the innate instincts of these 2 self-proclaimed “film junkies” who understand what makes Film Noir work and tailors this film to those strengths - starting with atmosphere.

The Brothers teamed up with newby (at the time) Cinematographer Barry Sonnenfeld (yes, the guy who would Direct MEN IN BLACK years later), the Coens have crafted a dark, smoky world where no one can be trusted and what you don’t see just outside the shadows of the light are aligning to attack you. It is a master class in building tension and a surreal world inside the camera.

There are long stretches of this film without dialogue - and it’s a smart choice for those are the most interesting, tension-filled and visually impressive parts of the film.

But…don’t forget the dialogue, for it is another performer in this film and the brothers do a marvelous job of populating this smokey world with some GREAT character actors like Dan Hedaya (Nick Tortelli - Carla’s ex-husband - on CHEERS) and, especially “that guy” character actor M. Emmett Walsh (the madman who tries to shoot Steve Martin in THE JERK) who team up to spin the plot machinations as well as fire of some crackling dialogue.

The Coens were fortunate in that their first pick for the Femme Fatale of this film, Holly Hunter, was committed to a Broadway show and unable to take part, so she recommended her roommate - a (then) unknown by the name of Frances McDormand (who would later become a staple of the Coens as well as the future Mrs. Joel Coen). She elevates what could have been a thankless role into something much, much more intelligent and interesting.

Only John Getz (THE FLY) fails to elevate his character above what is written on the page - but it is an interesting character…and performance…nonetheless for what is written on the page is pretty darned good.

A strong debut by the Coen’s. If you haven’t seen this one in awhile (or if you’ve never seen it), do yourself a favor and check out this classic.

Letter Grade: A-

8 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)