The Philosophy of the Coen Brothers

The Philosophy of Popular Culture

by Mark T. Conard (Editor)

Many critics agree that Joel and Ethan Coen are one of the most visionary and idiosyncratic filmmaking teams of the last three decades. Combining thoughtful eccentricity, wry humor, irony, and often brutal violence, the Coen brothers have crafted a style of filmmaking that pays tribute to classic American movie genres yet maintains a distinctly postmodern feel. Since arriving on the film scene, the Coens have amassed an impressive body of work that has garnered them critical acclaim and a devoted cult following. From Raising Arizona and Fargo to O Brother, Where Art Thou? and No Country for Old Men , the Coens have left an unmistakable imprint on Hollywood. The Philosophy of the Coen Brothers investigates philosophical themes in the works of these master filmmakers and also uses their movies as vehicles to explore fundamental concepts of philosophy. The contributing authors discuss concepts such as justice, the problem of interpretation, existential role-playing, the philosophy of comedy, the uncertainty principle, and the coldness of modernity. The Philosophy of the Coen Brothers is not just for die-hard Lebowski Fest attendees, but for anyone who enjoys big ideas on the big screen.

Genres: Film, Philosophy, Nonfiction, Essays, Pop Culture

332 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2008

About the author

Mark T. Conard lives in New York City. He earned his Ph.D. in Philosophy from Temple University in Philadelphia. He’s the author of numerous essays, and is the co-editor of The Simpsons and Philosophy, and Woody Allen and Philosophy, both published by Open Court Press; and is editor of The Philosophy of Film Noir, The Philosophy of Neo-Noir, The Philosophy of Martin Scorsese, The Philosophy of The Coen Brothers, and The Philosophy of Spike Lee (all published by The University Press of Kentucky). He’s the editor of Nietzsche and the Philosophers (Routledge, 2017). In addition, he's the author of Dark as Night (2021) and A Killer's Coda (2021), both published by Down & Out Books.

Reviews

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I admit, I haven't seen all of the Coen Brothers films, so I feel justified in only reading the essays that pertain to the 3 films I have seen. I'm such a nerd because I always get a kick out of reading critical analysis of films, literature, art, etc. I do feel like I have a better handle on why things happened as they did in Fargo, how irony and comedy work together in O Brother Where Art Thou?, and what the hell happened in No Country For Old Men.

I look forward to finding more in this popular film philosophy series. The essays are always kind of fun to skip through.

[Dale · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had high expectations for this book but was sadly disappointed. The book consists of a set of brief essays on various aspects of the Coen brothers' work, with most of the essays apparently attempting to elucidate philosophical themes found in the movies. This ought to be interesting, maybe even enlightening. But far too many of the essays seemed to be exercises in 'how can I fit movie "X" into philosophical cubbyhole "Y"'.

I think there's a good book to be written on this subject - this just isn't it.

[kate]

I followed up Kubrick with the Coen brothers. Reading this book, I was surprised to discover my tone as a writer was something I had never really understood, postmodernist. I'm still not entirely clear about the parameters of the postmodern, but this book explores the Coen oeuvre through philosophy and, having seen most of these films, I found it enlightening.

No philosopher is revisited from the Kubrick book, an entirely new world is opened of different questions resulting from the works of the Coens, which I found really interesting. I have to re-examine the pretentiousness of recognition, and its potential.

I consider my irony hard won and well deserved.

[Victor Popa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Une lecture réjouissante.

[Thommy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A somewhat interesting, somewhat pretentious collection of essays mostly about the Coen brothers and their films, but the emphasis is clearly on the philosophy. Overly academic at times, it’s one of those books in which the various authors endlessly quote other authors to no real benefit other than to seemingly show how smart they are. Still, some interesting ideas, and unique takes on an eclectic filmography.

[Joshua Finnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Library Journal Review:

Before collaborating on the writing and directing of over 13 films, Joel Coen studied film at New York University, while Ethan Coen studied philosophy at Princeton University. In this text, 14 scholars in both philosophy and film and media studies investigate the philosophical themes and underpinnings of their films. They explore such topics as the competing theories of justice that exist in Intolerable Cruelty, laziness as a virtue in The Big Lebowski, Ed Crane's various types of Kierkegaardian despair in The Man Who Wasn't There; Blood Simple's oscillation between classic noir and postmodern conventions, and the ethical landscape in No Country for Old Men. Edited by series editor Conard (philosophy, Marymount Manhattan Coll.), this volume is written for both fans of the Coen brothers and the philosophically curious, without the technical language. Footnotes are included at the end of each essay for deeper exploration. Both educational and entertaining, this philosophical compilation is recommended for public and academic libraries, particularly those with degree programs in philosophy and film.—Joshua Finnell, McNeese State Univ. Lib., Lake Charles, LA

[Kajsa Philippa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection of essays covers almost all Coen Brothers Films and raises many interesting questions and issues related to the Coens work. Probably because of the sheer quantity of the essays, there are some repitions in content. But they are all easily accessible also for "non-experts" of the matter.

[Steve Gregory Hood]

Good study in philosophy.

Good study of philosophy in film ,particularly Schopenhauer and Kierkegaard. New insight into Coen brothers film and the place of new noir and existentialism.

[Jessica Cawley]

Love the Coen brothers work, but some of my favourites are their newer stuff, so this missed a lot since it’s dated now. But the essays here were very insightful to film buffs and philosophy lovers. It was very academic at times, and was great to put me to sleep sometimes.

[Richmond · Rating 5 out of 5]

decent selection of essays on the CB's films.

[Jeff Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The articles made me appreciate the movies better and also made me look at the movies again with greater appreciation of the brothers'talent.

[Franklin · Rating 4 out of 5]

9/10