Writer: Joel & Ethan Coen
Director: Joel Coen
Actors: Billy Bob Thornton, Frances McDormand, Michael Badalucco, James Gandolfini, Scarlett Johansson.
1hr 56min
The Man Who Wasn't There is a film about a man who wishes for a better quality of life. It tells a tale of adultery and murder similar to many of the Coen Brothers films.
Ed Crane is a barber in Santa Rose, California. On an offer of a business partnership, which could enhance his dull existence, he blackmails his wife's suspected lover (Big Dave) for the funds he requires. This ultimately leads to his wife's arrest for the murder of Big Dave. The tale does not end happily resulting in the deaths of most of the main characters, although a strange kind of justice is done.
I really enjoyed this film although I felt it a little slow paced. I love the monotone, monosyllabic way in which the main protagonist speaks, which matches the high contrast black and white simplistic composition that runs throughout the film. I am particularly inspired by the highlights of light which seem to be a feature, many in brilliant geometrical beams.
