Coen Bros movies

PrimalTherapy

Does any one agree with me that the Coen Bros movies are a lot of same plot wise? There is often an attempt at blackmail or kidnapping, which is the same thing really, and it is often to fund a medical intervention for someone who is having a secret affair.

Some are quite good but a bit 'samey'. i just wondered if others though that

Mickeroo

Kidnappings are pretty popular in their movies when you think about it. Still wouldn't say they're samey though. Watch Raising Arizona and then watch Fargo, worlds apart apart from the kidnapping imho.

MrSir

I've thought that myself but the films to be fair all go in radically different directions from each other. Fargo, The man who wasn't there and A serious man all involve blackmail. Take that as an example of how different the Coen brothers movies are.

Klingon Hamlet

I think it's proof of their talent as writers and directors, telling a similar story in so many different, intriguing ways.

PrimalTherapy

Klingon Hamlet wrote: »

I think it's proof of their talent as writers and directors, telling a similar story in so many different, intriguing ways.

don't agree find it boring. that is not to say they are not good they are very good. Watched Barton Fink last night very good

PrimalTherapy

MrSir wrote: »

I've thought that myself but the films to be fair all go in radically different directions from each other. Fargo, The man who wasn't there and A serious man all involve blackmail. Take that as an example of how different the Coen brothers movies are.

they do go in different direction is just get a bit bored with the samey starting point. have not seen raising arizona yet

Klingon Hamlet

PrimalTherapy wrote: »

have not seen raising arizona yet

:eek:

Watch it as soon as you can! Nic Cage is legendary in it.

mikhail

I think the Coens have a rather bleak view of humanity. Their characters are most often driven by some or all of money, vanity and stupidity, often on quite a petty scale. I think it's why I like their films so much. Maybe the OP doesn't sympathise with it so much, and that's why he's bored.

PrimalTherapy

mikhail wrote: »

I think the Coens have a rather bleak view of humanity. Their characters are most often driven by some or all of money, vanity and stupidity, often on quite a petty scale. I think it's why I like their films so much. Maybe the OP doesn't sympathise with it so much, and that's why he's bored.

I would not say i am bored with their films but find the basic ideas in a lot of film boring innthat alot of plots start out the same engage in kidnap/blackmail to fund something needed by the characters who are involved in affairs with othe characters. It reminds me of once I went to play writing class and the man doing it gave an example of some other playwright whose plays always had something hidden on a mantelpiece, so much that eventually audience members would shout out "its on the manterlpiece" whenthe character was looking for something important in plot

I though No Country For Old Men was fantastic and loved Barton Fink and Fargo

johnny_ultimate

Bar the mediocre duo of Intolerable Cruelty and The Ladykillers, I've seen and enjoyed pretty much every Coen film. Mainly because I usually completely buy into their sense of humour - more than anything, they're funny bastards. Aside from making what is possibly the funniest film of all time (The Big Lebowski) their films have a dark, biting and surreal humour that gives them an edge over competitors. They also have an ability to craft stylish, knowing thrillers and dramas, but even comparatively grimmer films like Fargo, Blood Simple, a Serious Man and Barton Fink have darkly humourous undertones that elevates them above competitors.

Occasionally, you could argue they give into style over substance, although films like Barton Fink and No Country are full of thoughtful ideas and themes. They're fully aware they are making films, and I think the artificiality of their films annoys many. I love it though, creating those ludicrous, surreal situations in which to let their characters run riot. Yeah, some themes and plot devices crop up again and again - blackmail, stupidity (so many glorious idiots), failed criminals etc... But a hell of a lot of directors constantly re-explore the themes that work for them. It gives them an identity.

Out of the fourteen films they've written and directed, I'd only consider two less than great, so personally I feel they have a track record far greater than the vast majority of directors out there.

Roar

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

Aside from making what is possibly the funniest film of all time (The Big Lebowski)

agreed 110%. I can get you a toe by three o'clock this afternoon.

johnny_ultimate

Roar wrote: »

agreed 110%. I can get you a toe by three o'clock this afternoon.

I watched it again last night. In the parlance of our times: The Dude, most certainly, abides.

Roar

i put it on my iphone (i'd never done it before now for some reason), and i watched three times on holidays (on the plane over, the plane back, and once when herself was napping)

it was on sky recently too so had to watch it again

and then i sky plussed it, even though I have it on dvd..

i'm slightly obsessed

filthymcnasty

mikhail wrote: »

I think the Coens have a rather bleak view of humanity. Their characters are most often driven by some or all of money, vanity and stupidity, often on quite a petty scale. I think it's why I like their films so much. Maybe the OP doesn't sympathise with it so much, and that's why he's bored.

Yeah a lot of the films are about characters trying to get away with something or other that is not rightfully theirs- often as you say in a naive or stupid fashion e.g
Jerry Lundegaard in Fargo is trying to get away with a ransom for his wife
Llewelyn is trying to get away with the suitcase in No Country for Old Men
and even the Dude and co are also trying to get their hands on some dosh.

I think at some level its the depths humanity will go to get away with a quick buck, but all make for a great movies.