Coen Bros

Lili’s Pick: Fargo

Lanie’s Pick: Blood Simple

The next directors to grace our list are the Coen brothers, whose films are known for their iconic characters and Odyssey-esque qualities, yet all seem to differ in tones, vibes, and cinematographic style. Although I am a big fan of their work, I had yet to see one of their most famous films: Fargo (I know, I know), and had been dying to see Blood Simple as well. Fargo was as wonderfully humorous and painfully Northern as promised, with even more charm than I expected, thanks to its amazing cast—especially Frances McDormand’s subtle but masterful performance as a likable if not lovable pregnant lady cop. It has the same mythic quality of Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? and The Big Lebowski, in the way that this story feels entirely plausible, but uniquely strange—like when you’re on a road trip and pass through a town so impossibly small and desolate, you question its legitimacy. Blood Simple follows this concept as well, as Frances McDormand once again finds herself caught up in a dangerous scheme—this time on the other side of the law. The tone here is a lot less silly and a lot less cold than Fargo, this Texas-set story of murder and deception is shrouded in darkness and mystery and sweat. The premise here may be, for lack of a better word, simple, but the execution was anything but. This was the very first film directed and written by these brothers, but their innovative camera angles and skillful use of anxiety and anticipation here is an indication of their innate storytelling and filmmaking abilities.