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The Coen brothers made their first film while still at school. Joel and Ethan made their own money for an amateur video camera. Their friends acted as actors. Now in the world there are not so many people who are unfamiliar with the work of the Coens. They have achieved a lot.
Joel and Ethan are among the most respected directors of modern cinema. They also write scripts for films themselves, act as producers and editors. The joint work has been going on for 36 years, during which time the brothers managed to get four Oscars and many other cinematic awards.
Even if you are not a fan of these talented directors, take a look at our selection of their film masterpieces. Below is a ranking of the best films of the Coen brothers.
10 Educating Arizona (1987)
The brothers’ second film. A comedy that has become the exact opposite of their first creation (you can read about it below).
This is the story of a recidivist thief named Hai. He falls in love with a female police officer and decides to quit his criminal past. Soon they become spouses and enjoy family life in a secluded trailer in the semi-desert. For complete happiness, only a child is missing, but the dreams of the young are not destined to come true – Ed cannot have children. Adopting will also fail: Haya’s past makes itself felt.
Once the couple saw a TV report about a local rich man. The lucky one had five babies at once. Huy and Ed decide to decorate one of them, hoping he won’t notice it’s missing…
9. Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)
A musical drama that fans of smart and unusual cinema will definitely appreciate. The film takes place in 1961 and the main character is a former sailor who decides to take up music seriously. However, while the beginning pop singer has not achieved great success. He is interrupted by performances in nightclubs, sometimes his recordings can be heard on the radio. Lewis does not have a home, he often changes girlfriends and loses the last connection with his family. He tries to find himself, but all his searches are in vain. All he has is music…
The film is based on the memoirs of American musician Dave Van Rock, but this is not a biography. Lewis Davis is a fictional character.
8. Burn After Reading (2008)
A black comedy that made it to the Top 2008 Films of XNUMX (according to the US National Board of Film Critics).
Osborne Cox is a former CIA analyst. He was recently removed from his post. The man decided to capture the most important moments of his life and sat down to write his memoirs. A disk with Cox’s memoirs attracted the attention of his wife. The woman cheated on him and decided that Osborne kept secret information about his bank accounts there. She steals the disc, but it soon ends up in the hands of a gym instructor and his frivolous girlfriend Linda. They decide to make money through blackmail, but Osborne is in no hurry to pay…
7. Iron grip (2010)
Western, which became the highest grossing not only among the creations of the Coen brothers, but also other films of this genre in the history of cinema.
It tells the story of 14-year-old girl Matty Ross. Her father was killed by the bandit Cheney. The local sheriff is powerless, the killer fled to someone else’s territory, where the policeman has no authority. Matty finds accomplices and goes in search of Cheney. She is accompanied by Marshal Cogburn and Texas Ranger LaBeef. This trinity has one goal – to catch the bandit and punish him for all the crimes that he committed.
6. Just Blood (1984)
The Coen Brothers’ first film was the low-budget thriller Blood Simple. The main character Julian Marty is the owner of the bar. Abby’s wife is cheating on him with the bartender. Marty suspects his wife’s infidelity, but wants to be 100% sure, he hires private detective Lauren. When Marty sees the evidence – photos taken by Lauren – he loses his head. The man decides to kill his wife and her lover, but he lacks the courage. He asks Lauren for a favor, the private detective agrees. This is where the fun begins…
The first work of the Coens showed that they can create something unpredictable. A banal plot, but subsequent events surprise and amaze. By the way, most viewers and film critics were sure that the brothers had found themselves and would continue to work in this genre. After a while, it became clear that Joel and Ethan are capable of much. Comedy, thriller, western – they can do it all.
5. Fargo (1995)
One of the Coens’ most successful works. This film received a huge commercial success and a large number of film awards, including two Oscars.
Jerry did not achieve much success in life, perhaps the reason was his character. He was always too timid and inconspicuous. He did not make a career, he works as an ordinary manager, he sells cars. One day an idea comes to his mind. He organizes the kidnapping of his own wife. Jerry hopes that his father-in-law will charmingly pay the ransom, which means he will be able to get rich. His dreams are not destined to come true – everything does not go according to plan ….
4. Miller’s Crossing (1990)
gangster drama. Its action takes place in America. 30s, the time of dry law. Criminal families are ready to fight for the supply of illegal alcohol, because it is very profitable. The main character is Tom Reagan, an adviser to crime boss Leo. This story begins with a “simple” request. Another mobster, no less influential, asks Leo to punish the traitor Bernie, but he refuses, referring to the fact that he pays good money for his protection. In fact, Leo is in love with Bernie’s sister. Tom has a different opinion on this. He claims that it is not worth spoiling relations with Johnny and it is necessary to satisfy his request …
3. Barton Fink (1991)
A black comedy about the writer’s life. It is considered perhaps the most successful in the work of the Coens.
Barton Fink comes to Hollywood and signs a contract with a famous film studio. He undertakes to write a script for a film about wrestling, in which he does not understand anything. Of course, he doesn’t get anything. In addition, at the time of writing the script, he settled in a terrible hotel, where he is constantly distracted by domestic problems. How will this extraordinary story end?
2. Old people here do not belong (2007)
Thriller based on the novel of the same name by Cormac McCarthy. Ranked in the top ten films of the first decade of the XNUMXst century (Los Angeles Film Critics Association rating).
Llewellyn Moss is an ordinary welder. On that day, he was hunting antelope in the desert as usual and discovered the consequences of a shootout of drug dealers – mountains of corpses and abandoned cars. Another find – two million dollars, the hunter could not resist. He takes the money for himself. Soon he is figured out by other Mexican bandits and Sheriff Bell. Moss must make a choice – give away a fortune or protect himself and his family…
1. The Big Lebowski (1998)
A Coen film that has become a cult classic. He did not receive much commercial success, was coolly received by critics, but the audience loved him very much.
The main character, nicknamed Dude, enjoys life. His interests are bowling and alcohol. one day his peace is disturbed by bandits who break into his house. They say that his wife owes a large sum of money. Soon, both the criminals and Lebowski realize that a mistake has been made. He was confused with a rich namesake. At parting, the bandits spoil Dude’s carpet. The man blames the namesake for everything and decides to go to him and demand compensation …