Pulp Fiction discussion

I watched this one the other night on Netflix and was really impressed. The Man Who Wasn’t There (2001) is a Coen brothers film (one of the lesser known Cohen films, apparently, and probably one of the more underrated ones too). The film is closer to noir spoof or noir comedy, but anyone who is a noir fan will probably appreciate it and laugh at the many clever references and bits in this film. Apparently, James M. Cain was a big inspiration for the film. In a way, it is also really a homage to noir, with a little bit of 50s nostalgia thrown in.

It centers around the story of Ed Crane (Bill Bob Thornton), a taciturn barber who decides to blackmail his wife, Doris (Frances McDormand), after suspecting that she is fooling around behind his back with another man. He figures he can get a profit and revenge at the same time. However, things take a turn when she takes the blame for his crime, and he now must pay a big-time lawyer to come to her defense. And just like a noir, things get a little complicated.

Thornton is so deadpan in this role, and his voiceover is almost inaudible at points. It’s entertaining and amusing to have him play a barber, sort of an everyman. His reflections are so noir-ish and cynical, yet cleverly ironic and comical, that you might chuckle: "They're paying me 5 cents a word, so you'll pardon me if sometimes I've told you more than you wanted to know."

So, has anyone checked out this one?

I vaguely remember watching it on cable a while after it first came out... I had a friend who was really into film making watching with me so my main memories are of her commenting on the black & white process and other technical things. Looks like I may need to revisit it as well.

Yes, Alberto, that's the one.

One regretable thing was that it was shot in color then transfered to B&W. It lacks the value richness that many noir films have. Anyway, see Millers Crossing, based on Hammet 's The Glass Key.

This is one of my favorite Coen Brothers films. Sort of a nod to James Cain, but with its own weird twist.

By the way the full movie is available on Youtube if anyone wants to watch it. I rewatched it last night and thought it was pretty good (even though I'm not a major Thornton fan).

Oh yeah really enjoyed this one but it's not one of the better Coen's and I got less out of it on repeat viewings. Definitely one that people in this group should enjoy.

I'll have to check out Miller's Crossing. I actually never knew that was a Coen production. Sort of liked the 50s approach to this film, though.

I'm a big fan of the Coens, but was not crazy about this film when I saw it in the theatre. My main memory is of Tony Shalhoub as the fast talking lawyer. I thought he was terrific.

I love the Coens but didn't think much of this film when I first saw it. I'm going to have to watch it again. For some reason I don't really connect with some of their films on the first try but end up loving them later (The Big Lebowski and Fargo).

Lot of pulp/noir elements in Lebowski too.