FILM: Blood Simple

DIRECTOR: The Coen Brothers

YEAR: 1982

WATCHED ON: 4od

DATE WATCHED: 12-Jan-2024

FIRST VIEWING: Yes

SPOILERS AHEAD: Yes

The Coen Brothers are pretty darn well known in todays movie-going circles. Incredibly well known. Very highly regarded. Everyone has a film of theirs that’s in their favourites (for me, The Big Lebowski) because they have so many and they span different genres.

True Grit, No Country For Old Men, Fargo, Hail Caesar, Millers Crossing, Burn After Reading, Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?

And many, many more.

Blood Simple is their first.

This was my first viewing, and I enjoyed it. I love a noir. I love a Neo-noir. I love a Coens. This film was right up my street, and I had a good time.

It’s not a cheerful film. It doesn’t come across as a debut by any means though. The plot is dark and gritty, and its certainly been made to visualise that.

The film starts off with a married lady (Francis McDormand - in her first film role!) having an affair with a young, bar tending dude (John Getz - the guy who in The Fly gets his hand and foot melted off at the end). The phone rings in the morning as they’re lying in the motel bed, and a mans voice lets them know that he knows they’re there. Its her husband. He’s hired a private detective following the wife. All very noir. Things escalate from there.

Murder and confusion. Hiding a body.

Its a thrilling film, and its an excellent experience to see the film makers right at the start of their careers. Highly recommended.