Joel and Ethan Coen have always been trailblazers in the American film industry. They have both written films independently, but most of the time they work as a team and this is when their movies really come to life. They are so well known for making movies together that they are hardly ever referred to as Ethan Coen or Joel Coen. People rarely speak of them as individuals; they are simply the Coen Brothers. As a matter of fact, they are serving as co-presidents of the 68th Cannes Film Festival Jury in 2015. This is the first time the prestigious Cannes Film Festival has had two presidents serving over the jury simultaneously. They write, direct, produce, and edit their own films. Because they have such control over their films throughout the entire process, all of their films have a certain style. Their films are character driven with incredible dialogue. Many of their films have a certain darkness or grittiness to them and employ a dose of dark humor along the way. Sometimes the genres and subject matter of their films are quite different from each other. The genres of their films range from film noir to westerns, but when you are watching a Coen Brothers film, the influence of the Coen Brothers on the film is always quite obvious. These films are the films Joel and Ethan Coen created together. Each one of them is a great example of well thought-out, artistic film making and will be enjoyed by any true fan of cinema.
Blood Simple (1984)
“Blood Simple” is the first feature film the Coen Brothers created together. It is a gritty crime-thriller film noir and it demonstrates how Joel and Ethan Coen developed their style very early in their careers. A Texas bar owner suspects his wife is cheating on him with one of the bartenders. After a private investigator confirms his suspicions, he hires the investigator to murder his wife and her lover. This seems to be a pretty straightforward, basic, boring plot line doesn’t it? Wrong. Nothing is straightforward and basic in the world of the Coen Brothers.
Raising Arizona (1987)
Crime is a common theme in films from the Coen Brothers. Sometimes its murder, sometimes its a prison break, and sometimes it’s some sort of money making scheme…this time it’s kidnapping. A childless couple consisting of an ex-convict and an ex-police officer decide to kidnap an infant from a family that has quintuplets. They figure that the family will still have four babies after the kidnapping, so no harm done. The Coen Brothers’ senses of humor really shine through in this film and it will have you laughing.
Miller’s Crossing (1990)
The criminal underworld of the Prohibition Era is the setting for this Coen Brothers film. Two rival gangs are at war and it seems as if the city is going to be torn apart. Tom Regan is an advisor to one of the crime bosses and is trying to keep the peace, but seems to be caught in the middle. Great performances from the entire cast make this crime drama one of the Coen Brothers’ best films.
Barton Fink (1991)
Barton Fink (John Turturro) is a playwright from New York City who comes to Hollywood to write a script for a movie. He checks in to the dark, dingy Hotel Earle to start his writing and immediately has the worst case of writer’s block he’s ever had. He meets Charlie Meadows (John Goodman), an insurance salesman that is staying in the room next door, and receives advice on inspiration for writing the script. The movie starts to take one dark turn after another and will keep you wondering what will happen next every step along the way.
Fargo (1996)
This is by far the most well known film from the Coen Brothers. It won two Oscars, Best Actress (Frances McDormand) and Best writing (Joel and Ethan Coen). It was nominated for five additional Oscars including Best Picture. All of the awards and accolades were well-deserved. Jerry Lundegaard (William H. Macy) finds himself in a financial crisis and hires two men to kidnap his wife and demand ransom from his wealthy father-in-law. The plan is for the kidnappers and Jerry to split the ransom and for his wife to be returned unharmed. The plan falls apart from the very beginning and the bodies start piling up. , As the Police Chief in Brainerd, MN, Marge Gunderson (Frances McDormand) is tasked with solving the murders.
The Big Lebowski (1998)
Bowling, kidnap ransoms, nihilists, a hot-shot pornography producer, White Russians, feminist performance art, and a rug that really tied the room together…did I leave anything out? Probably. This film from the Coen Brothers is most definitely a dark comedy but also has all the elements of a neo-noir. The Dude (Jeff Bridges) is only interested in smoking pot, drinking White Russians, and bowling with his friends, Walter (John Goodman) and Donnie (Steve Buscemi). After a case of mistaken identity, Walter convinces The Dude that they need to go on a mission to demand compensation for the Dude’s ruined rug. Walter, a Vietnam veteran and The Dude, a washed up hippie make an unlikely team in this Coen Brothers comedy. This is part of the charm of a film that will keep you laughing from beginning to end. Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, John Turturro, Julianne Moore, and Phillip Seymour Hoffman all do an amazing job in their roles. The film is driven by its wonderfully developed characters and by dialogue that will have you quoting this movie for years to come. “The Big Lebowski” is truly the Coen Brothers at their best.
O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)
Three convicts escape from a Mississippi chain gang and search for a fortune that was buried after a bank heist. They encounter one obstacle after another as they run from the law. Did I mention that whole film is based on Homer’s “Odyssey?” I guess just writing a movie about a prison escape and buried treasure isn’t good enough for the Coen Brothers; they decided to base it on an epic Greek poem for added effect. Whatever their reasoning was, it definitely works. Once again, the Coen Brothers create a great cast of characters that keep us entertained throughout the entire length of the film.
The Man Who Wasn’t There (2001)
Ed Crane (Billy Bob Thornton) works in a barbershop owned by his mother-in-law. Ed needs $10,000 in order to take advantage of an investment opportunity. He knows his wife is having an affair with her boss, so decides to get the money by blackmailing his wife’s boss, “Big Dave” Brewster (James Gandolfini). C’mon Ed!! You are in a Coen Brothers movie; you didn’t think it was going to be that simple did you? Billy Bob Thornton is great in this Coen Brothers take on classic film noir.
The Lady Killers (2004)
In this dark comedy, a Southern Professor (Tom Hanks) and his crew plan to tunnel into a casino vault in order to steal the money kept inside. To accomplish this, they pose as a classical ensemble and rent out room in a old woman’s house so they can rehearse. As they play recordings of classical music to cover up the noise they are making, they attempt to tunnel from the woman’s basement into the casino vault. With such a simple plan, what could possibly go wrong?
No Country for Old Men (2007)
Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin) finds a pickup truck truck loaded with heroin and $2 million dollars in the midst of a gruesome crime scene. Instead of reporting this obvious drug deal gone wrong, Llewelyn decides to take the money for himself. The drug dealers send hitman Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem) to find the missing money. With a ruthless killer hot on his trail, Llewelyn must do anything he can to stay one step ahead. Javier Bardem plays the role of a cold, calculating killer perfectly. This movie is guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Burn After Reading (2008)
When a disc filled with some of the CIA’s most irrelevant secrets gets in the hands of two determined, but dim-witted, gym employees, the duo are intent on exploiting their find. As it turns out, blackmail is better left for the experts and events quickly start to spiral out of control. Brad Pitt, Frances McDormand, George Clooney, John Malkovich, and Tilda Swinton star in this Coen Brothers comedy that will keep you wondering what will happen next.
A Serious Man (2009)
Larry Gopnik is a physics teacher in Minnesota. Piece by piece his life seems to be falling apart with no relief in sight. With no one to turn to will Larry be able to pull things back together. Through his struggles, the film ponders some of life’s deeper questions. Less light-hearted than some of the other Coen Brothers films, this is a movie that will spark conversation and make you think about the world around you.
True Grit (2010)
Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld) is hell-bent on revenge after her father is murdered by Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin). She enlists the help of Rooster Coburn (Jeff Bridges) and Texas Ranger LaBeouf (Matt Damon) to track down and capture Chaney. “True Grit” is the Coen Brothers’ first foray into the western genre. This movie is rough and dusty, just like the American West, in the best way possible. The casting, acting, cinematography, and portrayal of the American West were all perfect bullseyes. Hailee Steinfeld was cast for the movie at the very young age of thirteen, but brings a real sense of maturity to the role. There are many reasons to see this film, but Hailee Steinfeld’s performance by itself is reason enough to dive into this American western that will undoubtedly be a film that stands the test of time.
Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)
This film follows Llewyn Davis (Oscar Issac) as he tries to make a name for himself in the folk music scene of Greenwich Village in 1961. He is talented at what he does, but he can’t seem to overcome the external and internal obstacles that are in his path to success. Llewyn is a character that is flawed, but in a very honest way. He may not always do the right thing, but we sympathize for him and I believe that we can all see a bit of ourselves in this character. This film is pretty much a one man show and Oscar Issac successfully carries the audience with him through this week in the life of Llewyn Davis.
