CoenSis

I don't get it. This is essentially a Lifetime movie with Halle's breasts thrown in. Everyone in it is good, but hardly Oscar-worthy. I got tired of somebody having to die every 20 minutes and all the morose faces. The opening offers such great potential, but the movie itself stops short before realizing it.

I saw this film when it first came out and went away more than a bit confused. After 10 years passed and numerous, more popular films, have aped the ending and style and after a decade of realizing Tim Robbins is the greatest working actor today, I decided to give it another try. Not only did it make a lot more sense, I came to really appreciate the incredibly powerful performances, beautiful dialogue and excellent direction. Wish a couple of the deleted scenes had been included in the film, but it's still a thoughtful and intelligent film that packs an emotional wallop. Oh yeah and TIM ROBBINS ROCKS!

What is the new Coen Brothers movie? A black comedy? An homage to film noir? A showcase for some really bad hairpieces? Essentially, what you get is a beautifully shot and constructed film, more in the vein of BARTON FINK and BLOOD SIMPLE than the last couple Coen flicks. There are several moments of pure, orgasmic moviegoing pleasure--the fight between Billy Bob Thornton and James Gandolfini ranks as one of the Coens' best scenes ever. However, the movie hits that point about halfway through where it veers off into foreign territory and never quite comes back. As soon as Katherine Borowitz shows up, babbling about space aliens, the tight little thriller verges into obtuseness. Still, even an average Coen Brothers film beats any other movie out there.