'Man Who Wasn't There' a technical masterpiece
By Jennie Loughridge
Old Gold and Black Reviewer

From the makers of Fargo and O Brother, Where Art Thou? comes a new dark comedy, The Man Who Wasn’t There. The Coen Brothers, who wrote and directed the film, present a complicated story of adultery, blackmail and murder set in the 1940s. The movie, shot with color negative but printed in black and white, is one of the more interesting films of the year, but lacks any sort of emotional connection with the audience.

The Man Who Wasn’t There centers around Ed Crane (Billy Bob Thornton), a mundane barber who “doesn’t talk much.” The audience is instantly let in on how boring Ed’s life is as he lists the small variety of haircuts he gives to clients day after day. Ed has little to no relationship with his wife Doris (Frances McDormand), who shares more loving feelings with her boss Big Dave (James Gandolfini).

Ed’s life is altered one day when a strange man comes into the barbershop and expresses his interest in a silent partner for a new business. The man tells Ed about the wonderful world of dry cleaning and how lucrative it could be. Seeing a way out of his boring routine, Ed quickly figures out a way to get the money. His life suddenly spins out of control as murder, deceit, violence and general mayhem ensue, all with the trademark Coen Brothers twists and turns to keep you guessing till the end.

Stylistically, this film is nearly brilliant. The black and white gives the film a certain feel that is reminiscent of the old film noirs of the ‘40s and ‘50s. The lighting is very dramatic and calls attention to itself in almost every scene. The set designs and costumes give the film a very authentic feel.

The Man Who Wasn’t There seems to effortlessly capture the feel of America in the 1940s. The cinematography is also quite impressive with the extensive use of shadows and long shots and showing various points of view.

The story and how it plays out also make this film noteworthy. Though it keeps you guessing until the end, all the loose ends are tied up. Unlike other films where all the puzzle pieces just don’t seem to fit, The Man Who Wasn’t There doesn’t leave the viewer desperately searching for the answers. It is complicated and thought-provoking but not unbearable to follow.

So in one sense, I really liked the movie. The story was excellent, and the exceptional direction and cinematography helped elevate it above the typical Hollywood feature. The performances from Thornton, McDormand, Gandolfini and all other actors in the film couldn’t have been better. Yet, something was missing from the movie. I left the theater knowing that I just saw a well-made, exceptionally creative film, but I have to admit that I didn’t love it.

The reason for this is simple – the movie failed to make an emotional connection. In every other way, it was exceptional, but it was hard to really like any of the characters. I felt disconnected from their story. I think that is the way the Coen Brothers intended it to be. Ed was purposely boring, just as his wife was intentionally bitchy and Big Dave was unmistakably sleazy. The characters may be interesting, but they aren’t really that likeable.

For many, this won’t detract from the movie, since it is a very interesting story, which is beautifully shot and stunning to look at. But for others, the lack of empathy for these characters might make this experience less than satisfactory.

The Man Who Wasn’t There is a movie I’d like to watch again, just so I could catch more of the nuances that Joel and Ethan Coen put into the film. Though this movie is a departure from O Brother, it shares the same kind of dark humor found in Fargo. If you like that type of black comedy, I think The Man Who Wasn’t There will also fit your taste.
But for those of you who aren’t entertained by the dark side of humor, this movie will make you cringe.

The Coen Brothers definitely did not make this film to please everyone; many will consider it brilliant where others will just find it mind-numbingly boring. If you’re looking for an action-packed adventure, avoid The Man Who Wasn’t There at all costs. But if you like thought-provoking, character-driven, original stories, then check this film out.