Blood Simple * * * * 1/2
Director: Joel & Ethan Coen.
Screenplay: Ethan & Joel Coen.
Starring: Frances McDormand, John Getz, Dan Hedaya, M. Emmet Walsh, Samm Art-Williams, Deborah Neumann.
(The following post is not so much a review, as it is a commentary on the creative work(s) of the Coen brothers. It’s my contribution to the Blogathon called “Debuts” created by Mark Fletcher of Three Rows Back and Chris Thomson of Terry Malloy’s Pigeon Coup, whereby a number of bloggers have chosen a particular director to highlight and the significance that their first feature has had. You can access the rest of the Blogathon posts here).
Having cut his teeth as Assistant Editor on director Sam Raimi’s cult classic, “The Evil Dead” in 1981, Joel Coen went on to become a fully fledged director himself with his debut “Blood Simple” in 1984. On the advice of Raimi, Joel and his brother Ethan (whom, it has always been said, actually shared directorial duties) went door-to-door showing potential investors a two minute ‘trailer’ of the film they planned to make, which resulted in them raising $750,000 and just enough to begin production of their movie. It was at this point that two of cinema’s most consistent and original talents had arrived.
In West Texas, saloon owner Julian Marty (Dan Hedaya) suspects that his wife Abby (Frances McDormand) is cheating on him with Ray (John Getz), one of his bartenders. Marty then hires Loren Visser (M. Emmet Walsh), a private detective, to investigate. Once Marty gains proof of the adulterous affair, he pays Visser to kill them. However, Visser is a very unscrupulous type and has plans of his own.
When you comb through the filmography of the Coen’s, three renowned and highly respected crime writers will inevitably surface. They are: James M. Cain, Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett. However, it’s their debut “Blood Simple” that fully harks back to the hard boiled noir’s of the 1940’s, namely, “The Postman Always Rings Twice” and “Double Indemnity” – both of which are written by Cain and the latter, in fact, co-scripted by Chandler when it made it the screen. Hammett was also a contemporary of these writers and wrote the novel “Red Harvest“, which actually coined the term “blood simple”. It is described as “the addled, fearful mindset people are in after a prolonged immersion in violent situations”. This very description sums the movie up perfectly. It’s a homage to these great writer’s and the genre they excelled in. Also, like their stories, once the character’s and their motivations are established, there is no going back. Although this was their debut, labyrinthine plots and double-crosses would become a staple of the Coens’ work that followed. Give or take the odd zany comedy, their filmography largely consists of these writers; “Miller’s Crossing” was heavily influenced by Hammett’s “The Glass Key” while “The Big Lebowski” loosely took it’s structure from the work of Raymond Chandler and James M. Cain would resurface in the “The Man Who Wasn’t There“. Even the Oscar winning “Fargo and “No Country For Old Men” could be seen as riffs on “Blood Simple“, itself. The thing that’s most apparent about this debut from the Coen’s, though, is that their stylistic approach is plain to see. It cast the mould from which we have witnessed their serpentine abilities in storytelling and hugely inventive directorial flourishes.
Much has been said about the cinematography on the Coens’ output. This has largely been due to the work of their regular collaborator Roger Deakins. However, it was Barry Sonnenfeld who worked on the first three Coen’s movies and you’d be hard pushed to notice much of a difference between them. This simply comes down to them translating exactly the vision that the brothers had. That’s not to take away from the work of Deakins or, in this case, Sonnenfeld as their cinematography has always been sublime but ultimately it comes down to the Coens’ inventively keen eye for a shot. They are known for being sticklers for detail, knowing exactly what they want and exactly how it should look and working from a shoestring budget doesn’t prevent them from realising their Hitchcockian melee of passion, bloodshed and suspense. If anything, their limited budget shows how artistic and creative they really are and they’re not without (or what would become) their trademark moments of irony.
The Coen brothers have went on to become two of the most respected filmmakers in the business, and rightfully so. With many classics – cult and mainstream – under their belts already, there’s really no end to what they’re capable of. That being said, it’s always a pleasure to return to their roots and see where it all began.
Mark Walker
September 11, 2013 at 11:34 am
Wonderful review. I’m actually looking forward to attending a midnight screening of Blood Simple this weekend at the IFC Center here in NYC.
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September 11, 2013 at 12:50 pm
Thanks man! That sounds fantastic! It looks like this review was nicely timed for yourself? 😉
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September 11, 2013 at 12:04 pm
GREAT look at truly great directors whose career started with this great film. Love Blood Simple and the Coens are simply the best. Great job Mark!
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September 11, 2013 at 12:51 pm
As always, thanks, bro! I can’t praise the Coens enough. Two fantastic filmmakers. Can’t wait for Inside Lewyn Davis now.
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September 11, 2013 at 12:22 pm
Such a twisted, nutty little movie that I would only expect from the Coens, in their debut no less. Good review Mark.
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September 11, 2013 at 12:52 pm
Thanks again Dan. Twisted and nutty are certainly the words to describe this little gem.
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September 11, 2013 at 1:49 pm
I’ll say it again, great piece of work Mark! I think you nailed this and have me itching to watch it again. Just as soon as the Blogathon’s over!
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September 11, 2013 at 1:56 pm
Many thanks, man. Glad I done it justice. If at least one person sees it for the first time or revisits it, then my work here is done. 😉
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September 11, 2013 at 1:55 pm
Boat Drinks!
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September 11, 2013 at 1:57 pm
🙂 Boat Drinks!
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September 11, 2013 at 3:24 pm
Excellent write-up, Mark! There a plenty of holes in my Coens’ viewing resume, but this debut is one I’m still very curious to check out. I hope this isn’t as brutally violent as No Country For Old Men (based on what I’ve read anyway), as you know I can’t handle those 🙂
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September 11, 2013 at 3:26 pm
Thanks again Ruth. It’s not that violent at all Ruth. I honestly didn’t find No Country For Men that violent either. It’s just damn good and tightly constructed storytelling. No Country is better film in my opinion but you can see the Coen had the ability from the outset.
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September 11, 2013 at 3:30 pm
I think our threshold for violence is quite different, he..he.. I’m not really interested in ‘No Country’ to be honest, but I’ll give Blood Simple a shot because I’m always intrigued by how famous filmmakers get their start.
Btw, the local film fest I’m blogging for is set in the Coens’ hometown of St. Louis Park, so we’re still hoping one day they might stop by. They didn’t come last year when we held a special screening for Fargo. Hopefully they haven’t become ‘too big’ for their roots 😉
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September 11, 2013 at 3:34 pm
Hehe! You have a point there Ruth. I do think our thresholds differ but I can’t honestly say that Blood Simple is all that violent. There are a couple of scenes but it could have been a lot worse.
Man, imagine getting a chance to chat to the Coens? That would be superb. Here’s hoping they make an appearance. 🙂
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September 11, 2013 at 3:30 pm
Superb Mark, so glad this was part of the blogathon! Thanks mate!
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September 11, 2013 at 3:31 pm
You’re very welcome Chris. Thanks for having me. The blogathon has been a great read all round.
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September 11, 2013 at 4:43 pm
Nice post man. Such a great CV they have put together, but will never top The Big Lebowski in my opinion. Perfect film 🙂
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September 11, 2013 at 5:13 pm
Their CV is highly impressive for sure but I’d have to agree with you on The Big Lebowski. It is a perfect film and still remains their finest.
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September 11, 2013 at 7:07 pm
Love love love this film. Possibly my favorite Coen brothers film actually. It was my first. Makes me want to watch it again. 🙂
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September 11, 2013 at 7:19 pm
This was my first experience of the Coens as well, Mark. In fact, I think I actually went through them chronologically since I was about 15 years old. I’ll never forget the first time I seen this. Absolutely magnificent stuff.
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September 26, 2013 at 10:49 am
Just happened to read about this movie on another blog and here it is again…will have to watch this now!
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September 26, 2013 at 12:12 pm
It’s a great movie Nostra and a great introduction the Coens’ work. Well worth checking out.
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November 29, 2015 at 9:13 am
I’m loving the sound of Mark, been watching a lot of noir at the minute. I recently reviewed Body Heat if you’re interested.
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November 29, 2015 at 9:48 am
This is a great early Coens film, Vinnie. It’s clear to see they had talent from the get-go.
Body Heat is a good one too. I’ll swing by!
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November 29, 2015 at 9:51 am
I’ll have to see Blood Simple then, hope you enjoy my Body Heat review.
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