Since their debut film in 1984, the Joel and Ethan Coen have made some of the best and most innovative movies of the last 30 years. Whether comedy or drama, the Coen brothers have carved out a unique niche in American cinema with quirky offbeat stories and characters that are larger than life and stick in people’s minds. And with nearly 20 movies under their belts and no signs of slowing down, we decided to take a closer look at 10 the duo’s best films.
From No Country for Old Men to O Brother, Where Art Thou, here are the 10 best movies made by the Coen brothers. Enjoy!
10. The Man Who Wasn’t There (2001)
A black and white movie that pays homage to film noir, The Man Who Wasn’t There is one of the Coen brothers’ most underrated creations. It stars Billy Bob Thornton as an extremely quiet barber who blackmails his wife’s boss and lover for money so he can invest it in the fledgling new venture known as “dry cleaning.” In classic Coen fashion, the scheme goes horribly wrong with major consequences for everyone involved. Co-starring James Gandolfini and Frances McDormand (Joel Coen’s real-life wife), this movie has many of the trademark Coen quirks and there is plenty of black humor to go around. However, the movie is mostly a serious drama that has moments of extreme violence. And Billy Bob Thornton’s chain-smoking in the film could be a public service announcement. Definitely a movie worth checking out.
Source: Screenshot via USA Films