BTW: I challenge anyone to watch this film, then Slingblade, A Simple Plan, and Bad Santa in succession and tell me BBT isn't a great actor.
Great review. Like you, noir has never really been my thing, but your positive review has me curious. What do you think ferris, would I like it?
I did really enjoy it quite a bit but I think in the end I don't think this will have any lasting hold on me. As a function of rounding out your Coen's filmography, it's probably wise to catch up with this eventually - because its themes can inform your viewing of their other films. It's maybe the only Noir film I've ever liked (If you recall I was particularly uninterested in Brick earlier in this marathon) so as a curiosity as to how it can be done in a palatable way - it's certainly worth a viewing. How's that for a lukewarm recommendation?
Hah, pretty good.
I don't think I entirely understand what noir is. For instance it never would've occured to be to call Brick noir. I guess I probably haven't seen enough examples of it to be able to recognize it. To me noir means a black and white film, melodramatic acting, and men with hats.
I'm not too worried about seeing all the Coen films at this point (I disliked A Serious Man waaaay too much) and I'm pretty sure the connective themes will be lost on me. This sounds like a pass for me.
I did love Brick though... go figure.