The Man Who Wasn't There Reviews

The Clever Coens Twist on Film Noir

First off, the movie is worth a rental for the visuals alone. Cinematographer Roger Deakins out does himself here, using beautiful shades of grey to paint the Coen brothers story of a world without moral blacks and whites.

Secondly, rent it to see a stellar performance by Billy Bob Thorton. Rather taciturn themselves, the Coens create the ultimate quiet anti-hero, Ed Crane (Billy Bob) who barely says a word as he moves through every scene of this existential thriller.

'The Man Who Wasn't There' has the classic noir feel you would expect from 'Double Indemnity', but there's a lot more under the surface. Watch carefully as the film explores questions of morality, reality, and the ultimate question, shouted in the pivotal court scene: "What kind of man are you?" It's not the feel good hit of the summer, nor is it the Coen's best, but it's a solid entry in their film resume.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Don't bother to rent this

I was deeply deeply disappointed by this film. It is beautifully shot (in black and white) well acted but what was the point of this film ? I hired it on the strength of it being a Coen brothers film with great actors including Billy Bob Thornton, James Gandofini etc in it but it was a waste of their talent and a waste of time. Boy does this film drag on. And why? What does it prove ? Don't bother to rent this

Very well shot

The Man Who Wasn?t There is a film about a hairdresser, who, in typical Coen Brothers style, gets himself in a bit of a fiddle, involving murder, double-crossing and strange relationships. The film is beautifully shot in black and white by Roger Deakins and the period setting is well achieved. It is well acted and unpredictable, but some plot lines seem pointlessly weird (U.F.O.s) and the apparent humour is unlikely to be picked up by those unfamiliar with noir films like Double Indemnity. Billy Bob Thornton is perfect for the main role as the lonely barber, and Frances McDormand and Scarlett Johansson lend stellar support.

On the whole, the film was very enjoyable and interesting but tough to fully comprehend.

Coen brothers at their best

The Coen brothers once again stick to their winning formula of less is more.

Great cinematography / great sets / wonderfully atmospheric. Intelligent film - twist upon twist - deeply satisfying in a typical Coen screwball way.

Proper Noir, I tell thee

James M. Cain once wrote that he thought that the appeal of his books lay in the reader realising that his characters could not act on their desires and survive.

Of course, in the land of "real" noir, those desires are for fabulous jewel encrusted birds, dames that could make a bishop kick a hole in a stained glass window, or simply money. The main character in "The Man Who Wasn't There" wants to be a drycleaner - and the seeds of his destruction are sown right there.

Odd though the premise sounds, the Coens pull it off, and on a second viewing, the downward spiral of anti-hero Ed Crane seems inevitable, although I have to admit that I didn't see most of it coming first time 'round. Crane is a character very much in the mould of Cain's desperate, doomed protagonists, with the exception that Crane is far more passive in the face of the events that he's unleashed, something that rings true for a character who seems to have spent most of his life doing what others expected of him, and not making waves. Whilst that might sound dull, the events that the film throws at him, and Thornton's superb performance keep the viewer engaged in the story.

A terrific film.

Noir that sheds light on isolation

A very intense and bizarre thriller this. Thornton's narration is haunting and really takes you into the mind of an outsider.

You really get a sense of this weirdo's confusion at all around him and there are plenty of little insights into how people around him find his behaviour endearing. But the emergence of his dark side seems almost inevitable while still being shocking.

Classic Coen brothers' absurdities are thrown into the story line (what are the UFOs about?!). But it is Thorntons simmering performance and the beautiful black and white photography that will haunt you.

If you like Jacob's Ladder among others this is a must-see. If you want to see some blinding star turns then look out for Frances McDormand (nothing like the sex-les cop you remember from Fargo) and the fledgling Scarlett Johanssen (a little rough around the edges compared to Lost in Translation) and James Gandolfini (as hard as you remember him in the Sopranos).

Great cast, great performances, but did grate!!

A monchromic masterpiece of direction and central performances of a quite delightful standard. It just doesn't work as a completed piece. By all means rent it if only to try and fathom out why it leaves you feeling cheated!

Disappointing

I never thought I would stick the word disappointing to a Coen Bros movie but that's what this is.

The performances are great and the whole style of the film is great and the script is great'ish' but for some reason these ingredients don't gell.

Maybe it's me. Maybe I missed something along the way. Maybe I'm too conditioned to previous C. Bros movies to recognise a departure from the norm.

Whatever the reasons are it doesn't make any difference in the end. I liked this film but I can't say it was really memorable.

Beautiful.

This is an utterly beautiful film, fantastic from beginning to end, perfect.

No, NO, NNNOOOOOOOO!!!!

The first Coen brothers movie I saw was Fargo, then Millers Crossing, then Barton Fink. Since then it's been downhill all the way! This has it's moments, but it also has so many of their trademarks spread too thinly over a movie that needs to be 30 minutes shorter to keep anyone's attention. Think of The House of Sand and Fog, only in b & w, and with a sense of humour, and wish the Coens could rediscover what made them great!