Grade:  B+

Director:  Joel Coen		Released:  November 2001
Writer:  Joel Coen, Ethan Coen		MPAA Rating:  R
Players:  Billy Bob Thornton		Running time:  116 minutes

Ratings System

Film noir is resurgent.  In the spirit of such classic films as Double Indemnity and The Big Sleep, we have been treated to some great movies lately: Memento, Mulholland Drive, and now The Man Who Wasn't There.  I love this film.  It's one of the best of 2001 for sure.

I'll start with the cinematography.  Simply put, it's beautiful.  If you have an appreciation for B&W photography, then you'll dig the look of this film.  Each shot is set up and lighted perfectly, and that really helps set the mood, as well as contribute to the telling of the story,

I don't want to discuss the plot here, because it's too fun to let the story unfold on screen.  I'd hate to deny someone the experience that I had watching The Man Who Wasn't There for the first time.

Billy Bob Thornton IS the movie.  He strikes just the right notes with his character, and his narration is excellent.  Tony Shalhoub, Frances McDormand, and James Gandolfini are excellent in their roles as well.  The Coens really have casting their movies down to a science, they always seem to get just the right actors for the roles they've written.

- crocoPuffs