Blood Simple

[steve12553]

After reading the discussion of Reservoir Dogs (Tarentino's first significant film) and the mention of Fargo in the discussion, I was reminded of the Coen Brother first significant film: Blood Simple. I saw it on one of the pay cable channels back when having a pay cable channel was significant. Very moody film based on the Film Noir genre of the 1940s. Very dark sense of humor with more than a couple plot twists. Anyone see it? I saw it again a few months ago and was still impressed.

[Vladd67]

I had it on video, haven't seen it in years. Must try to find it again.

[Foxbat]

I prefer Zhang Yimou's Chinese remake of this movie. It's worth a look.

[steve12553]

Same title?

[Foxbat]

Yep. Same title.

[Moonbat]

I've seen that around, but I never actually got it. It does look good, but will it be better?

[Foxbat]

Originally Posted by Moonbat

I've seen that around, but I never actually got it. It does look good, but will it be better?

I certainly can't say that it will be better for you. All I can say is that it was better for me.

Our opinions are not absolute facts.....merely opinions.

And let's face it, opinions are like mobile phones...just about everybody has one.

[steve12553]

Originally Posted by Foxbat

And let's face it, opinions are like mobile phones...just about everybody has one.

That's the most polite version of that analogy I've ever heard.

[Foxbat]

Originally Posted by steve12553

That's the most polite version of that analogy I've ever heard.

I thought the analogy needed modernising somewhat

[dask]

Saw it in the theater long time ago. Was very impressed.

[bharatmisr]

I loved Blood Simple. If I am not mistaken, it was Coen brothers first outing as feature film directors, and my, it completely blew me away. How every shot, every scene lingers on well after it is over is amazing, a style that was successfully replicated in the superlative No Country for Old Men.
A running motif in all of Coens' films is that crime never pays. No matter how much the anti-hero pre-plans his moves, something about the grand scheme is certain to go awry. Blood Simple follows the same device; the viewer is presented with an array of characters (all of them in the grey) to 'side' with, and as the tension heightens to a climax, you realize there is no 'happy' or 'sad' ending in store. Like all of its characters, the ending is grey; not dictated by any conventional cinematic sensibility.
I would have loved to catch the film in the theaters when it rolled out, having not achieved the cult status it has today. Such a promising start to an industrious career...

[steve12553]

Originally Posted by bharatmisr

... How every shot, every scene lingers on well after it is over is amazing, a style that was successfully replicated in the superlative No Country for Old Men.
...

"Linger" is an excellent word to describe that film. There was never any doubt as to what the Coen Brothers wanted you to see.

[Mr. Aware Eagle]

I really like Blood Simple. I watched it with my school's film society a couple of years ago. It was a lot of fun to see an early version of the Coen's style. And M Emmet Walsh's performance is awesome.