The Man Who Wasn't There

I’ve seen enough films to recognise the Coen Brothers distinctive style, with great attention to detail concerning the script and character development, with dry humour scattered throughout the film.

The film centres around Ed, played by Billy Bob Thornton who later starred in season one of the Fargo TV series. I had assumed he had worked with the Coen brothers on numerous projects, but it appears it was just these two occasions.

I thought the idea of a chain-smoking barber was hilarious. I’m old enough to remember when it was legal to smoke indoors, but I’m not old enough to know whether this behaviour was typical in barber shops of the 1940s. It doesn’t seem too practical as people would get ash in their hair and some of the hair products would probably have been flammable.

Interestingly I read that Billy Bob quit smoking after making the film as it put him off cigarettes. Not so interestingly I also read that “During filming at the Miller and Herriott Tract House, Lisa Davis, who lived three houses away, let the production put two port-a-potties in her driveway for $150.00 a week.” In fact I’d go as far as to say that’s the worst piece of film trivia I’ve ever read. But apparently 14 out of 28 people found it interesting. I guess I’m just harder to please than 50% of the population.

For some reason, Ed thinks it’s a good idea to blackmail Tony Soprano. I was fully expected Ed to get whacked. But as he is getting strangled, he suddenly turns the tables and retaliates with a fatal stab to the jugular with a cigar knife. Ed escapes death, but this is where it all starts going wrong for him.

There are some great characters in this film, but one of my favourites has to be Ed’s brother in law. In one scene he rides a pig and then has to be driven home after overdosing on blueberry pie. What a legend.

Overall, it was a very enjoyable film. It had a relatively slow pace and the script/acting were both great, but I never expect anything less from the Coens.

4 blueberry pies out of 5