The Man Who Wasn't There (2001)

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Directed by: Joel Coen and Ethan Coen (uncredited)
Written by: Joel and Ethan Coen
Rated R
Black & White

Starring: Billy Bob Thornton (Ed Crane), Frances McDormand (Doris Crane),
Michael Badalucco (Frank), James Gandolfini (Big Dave Brewster), Katherine Borowitz (Ann Nirdlinger Brewster), Jon Polito (Creighton Tolliver), Scarlett Johansson (Birdy Abundas), Richard Jenkins (Walter Abundas), Tony Shalhoub (Freddy Riedenschneider)

Synopsis: Ed Crane is a small-town barber who doesn't say much. Suspecting his wife is having an affair with her boss, Ed blackmails her boss for money in order to invest in a dry cleaning business. However, the plan turns sour when things start to happen against his favor.

Review: A great element in films by the Coen brothers is the characters' hidden quality being revealed when the audience least expects it. This makes the story more interesting as well as the audience's interest increasing. This adds to the elements that make this a post-noir piece. From the gorgeous cinematography and meticulous mise-en-scene to the heavy use of voice over, Man could easily pass for a 1950 film. Apart from the style elements and back to the characters, the Coen brothers weave in their elements of unexpected twists with the 1950s setting that make this movie "classic" worthy. Even though the pace is steady, the characteristics revealed in the characters take the audience by surprise - Man's prime example is Johansson's "Birdy."

The acting is by far stellar - Thorton passed easily as a perfect mix between Bogart and Mitchum. McDormand was just as great as she was in Fargo and Burn After Reading. Gandolfini and Johansson were wonderful supporting characters in the element of surprise as well as character arcs. In all, I recommend this movie for people in the mood for a good mystery and story.I don't recommend this for audience members who have a problem with black and white movies.

Verdict: B+