As far as auteur film-makers go the Coens brothers, Joel and Ethan, are up there as two of the most distinctive working today. Films such as Fargo (1996), The Big Lebowski (1998) and their Oscar-winner, No Country for Old Men (2007), have allowed them to carve a niche in American cinema utilising genre tropes – ranging from the Western to film noir – with often inventive results. This playful approach is clear to see even in their debut, Blood Simple. (1984), which has just seen a Director’s Cut released in the UK.
Frances McDormand plays Abby, wife of Julian Marty (Dan Hedaya), who is having an affair with Ray (John Getz). When Marty grows suspicious, he hires private investigator Visser (M. Emmet Walsh) to follow her and then kill the couple. But he doesn’t count on the guy double-crossing him and making off with the money without getting the job done. At least, not the one he was initially assigned.
The Coens have actually cut their film by three minutes for this specific version, rather than follow the trend of adding missing scenes that may have been excised earlier. That being said, the tighter editing doesn’t make the film feel as though it has lost anything and the long takes still sit comfortably.
McDormand excels in her first acting role. We don’t know much about Abby’s relationship with either Julian or Ray. We don’t know what drove her to leave her husband or fall into the arms of another man. And she doesn’t seem particularly happy with either bloke. There are also some questions which linger throughout the film, such as why not throw the body in the incinerator instead of just the towels? But these details aren’t important. What’s important is that this is the first film from American cinema’s most quirky types, who have managed to tick all major boxes throughout their career: box office success, cult status, countless awards and critical acclaim. Here’s to the next 30 years!
Emma has awarded Blood Simple. four Torches of Truth
