As movie-lovers whose taste runs to the Coen, we’re not sure how we missed this one over the years, but we did.
This black-and-white sonnet to film noir is lovingly crafted and executed, driven and narrated by a chain-smoking Billy Bob Thornton – second chair in a three-chair barber shop in Santa Rosa during the 40s, a man so beaten down and trapped he looks like he wants to scream but just can’t. Thornton’s Ed Crane is married to Doris (Frances McDormand), the bookkeeper down at Nirdlinger’s Department Store and a woman with her eye on the prize, which happens to be Nirdlinger’s owner “Big Dave” (James Gandolfini).
Things get a little twisty, blurred by gin and adultery and blackmail, and take the true course of most film noir with the right man convicted of the wrong crime. It’s a dark, happy little ride with a NorCal 40’s feel and perhaps it was the clarity of the hour we chose to view it in but we were all-in and happy to go along for the ride.
Other favorites pop up along the way, swollen and sweaty and speaking in the crisp dialogue of the day and a la Coen. There’s Ed’s buffoonish brother in law Frank (Michael Badalucco), Big City mouthpiece Freddy Riedenschneider (Tony Shalhoub), bobby-soxed Birdy Abundas (Scarlett Johansson) and others to make you go “hey, it’s that guy!”
Things bump along like a 40s jalopy (boy, have we caught shade for resurrecting that word but, hey, screw it… that’s how we roll!) as a toothpick-mauling gumshoe prowls downtown Santa Rosa, a court case builds in intensity and false evidence and Birdie frightens the bejeebers out of Ed with a direct attempt at a “thank you” for his interest in her career.
Film noir is hardly ever about larger-than-life heroes – but is instead populated by tortured little people forced out of timid lives by the promise of wealth, romance, or a better way. They are the people who aren’t there, until something very bad happens…
Why We Liked It: Pacing, Coen dialogue, cast, the 40s NorCal Feel.
Best Line: “Heavens to Betsy!”
Where Can I See It?: Amazon Prime, YouTube
Well, no one told me about him, the way he lied
Well, no one told me about him, how many people cried
But it’s too late to say you’re sorry
How would I know, why should I care?
Please don’t bother tryin’ to find him
He’s not there
Well, let me tell you ’bout the way he looked
The way he’d act and the color of his hair
His voice was soft and cool
His eyes were clear and bright
But he’s not there
It’s hard to believe, but true. I haven’t seen this Coen flick.
Zombies! Yeah, from the day when keyboards reigned supreme.
Liked this movie and it’s available if you have the time and interest.
“Sooner or later, everyone needs a haircut…”
Billy Bob gets my Lady Juices going.
You and Angelina both, apparently…
Quite good. Thanks!