Released in 2001, The Man Who Wasn’t There was written and directed by Ethan and Joel Coen. The noir film stars Billy Bob Thornton, Frances McDormand, Scarlett Johansson, James Gandolfini and Tony Shalhoub. The plot revolves around barber Ed Crane (Thornton) and his wife Doris (McDormand) whose infidelity and deception leads to blackmail, revenge and murder.
The story takes place in Santa Rosa, California, during 1949. Roger Deakins earned an Academy Award nomination for his cinematography for the film. Thornton revealed in his book A Cave Full of Secrets that The Man Who Wasn’t There counts as one of his favorite movies he’s ever been in. Thornton said this about the film:
“It was largely ignored in the United States because it is in black and white, and a lot of people won’t watch black-and-white movies. I think black and white is heavier than color. It gives the film a heavier mood. If you watch the old black and white movies, they have a different feeling about them, and I wish they made more of them. To me, black and white seems more like reality than a color movie, even though real life is in color. Somehow, black and white makes me feel like I’m in the story more. And there was a great cast of characters, terrific actors. The Coen brothers have a bunch of actors they like to use in their movies, and they know who’s right for the parts. I love working with Fran McDormand and James Gandolfini, but all the actors in the movie were outstanding.”
We re-watched The Man Who Wasn’t There last night. Every frame resonates on multiple sensory levels. It contains a style of suspense Raymond Chandler would appreciate. Ed Crane narrates the story, and at the conclusion of the film he reveals, “Now that I’m near the end, I’m glad that this men’s magazine paid me to tell my story. Writing it has helped me sort it all out. They’re paying me five cents a word, so you’ll pardon me if sometimes I’ve told you more than you wanted to know.”
The Man Who Wasn’t There ranks as first class filmmaking.
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