Posted by Hal Incandenza at 206.211.85.246 on July 12, 2001 at 12:09:51:
In Reply to: O Brother, Where Art Thou? posted by Wonder Girl on July 11, 2001 at 22:08:17:
I still haven't seen o brother, but am a big Coen Bros. fan. My recs:
1)Miller's Crossing - I think this is their masterpiece. What looks like another gangster period piece is enhanced by the understated/unstated contrast of relationships in the film - many people miss the entire homosexual love triangle on first viewing. The fact that you can miss this and still enjoy the film and find it complex, along with some of the finest performances I've seen from leads such as Gabriel Byrne and some great character actors.
2)Raising Arizona - the original Coen Bros comedy - those WERE the salad days. Back when Nicholas Cage was weird in that offbeat, wildcard scoundrel way, rather than that creepy, not sure you wanna meet him way.
3) Blood Simple - I believe this is their first film. I really really dug it, but not everyone does. It's a thriller, and I think it's right up there with Silence of the Lambs in terms of edge-of-your-seat action, although it certainly doesn't have the cinematic flourish of Silence.
4) Fargo - is probably a better movie than Blood Simple, and combines much of the drama of that film with a comedic, satirical wit. Great performances all around - particularly bill macy and frances mcdormand.
The Hudsucker Proxy is actually my favorite comedy of theirs, but some people find it predictable and overly artsy. The Big Lebowski is also a comedy, and also quite good. Barton Fink came out when I was 18 and it confused me (lots of symbolic stuff I didn't quite get) - I've been meaning to go back and watch that for years, but haven't gotten around to it. Actually, Chasing Amy and Barton Fink are the two movies that I didn't really like when I saw them but always felt like I needed to go back and watch because there seemed to be something more there that I must have missed. Barton Fink, however, is nothing like CA and the comparison is made only to make this post a little more on-topic.
Anyway, hope this helps.
jeff