MAN WHO WASN'T THERE, THE
Released: November 2, 2001
The Coen brothers - Joel and Ethan - return after their brilliant "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" with an equally brilliant followup about a man who literally remains invisible to everything and everyone around him throughout almost the entire movie. Billy Bob Thornton plays Ed Crane, second chair barber at his brother's hair cuttery. The film begins more or less at the default "everything's OK" position and a bunch of strange things happen without Ed's involvement that ultimately gets him involved in the least obvious way. To explain any further would hinder your enjoyment of this movie. And you really should search out this movie. Thornton is especially great as Ed and the rest of the cast is rather amazing too. Coen vet Frances McDormand plus "Sopranos" kingpin James Gandolfini, Michael Badalucco (Babyface from "O Brother"), Tony Shalhoub as Ed's lawyer and the superb Scarlett Johansson all contribute beautifully to this film noir experience. Shot in the most beautiful back and white that makes every scene look like a carefully designed B&W photograph, the film is a rich blend of shades of grey, much like how the lives of these characters are anything but cut and dry black and white. Ensure you catch this film - at a good theatre if at all possible.
111 Minutes
Working Title/USA Films