We watch a lot of movies and TV in my house, but it’s no contest to see whose movies we watch the most: Joel Coen and Ethan Coen.
The Coen Brothers, as they are known in Hollywood and around the world, are a pair of talented filmmaking brothers who have been producing just about every kind of movie since Blood Simple first came out in 1984.
Some directors develop a distinct visual style (think Wes Anderson or Quentin Tarantino), but the Coen Brothers have a different approach. You can definitely find common themes and ideas in their movies, but they work in several different genres and avoid redundancies.
Themes in Coen Brothers Movies
Some of the themes that show up most frequently in the Coen Brothers’ movies include:
- Dark comedy
- Existentialism
- Crime and criminals
- Rural America
- Classic movies
- The uniqueness of humanity
Of course, these themes are always underscored by an incredible soundtrack, thanks to the work of composer Carter Burwell. (T-Bone Burnett is a big help in this area, too!)
Joel & Ethan Coen’s Compete Collaborative Filmography
Let’s take a look at the films that Joel and Ethan Coen have made together. At the end of each synopsis, I will also add my recommendation for who should watch this movie.
Blood Simple (1984)
The Coens’ first movie, Blood Simple is a neo-noir crime film set in Texas. A sleazy bar owner (Dan Hedaya) hires a private detective to murder his unfaithful wife (Frances McDormand) and her lover (John Getz), but the plan goes awry. His scheming leads to a series of double-crosses and murders.
Who should watch it? Anyone who wants to go back to the early days of the Coen Brothers’ work to see how they got their start. Their very first movie earned 4 stars and a stellar review from Roger Ebert, and it’s a great idea to watch it and find out why.
Raising Arizona (1984)
This started the Coen Brothers’ frequent pattern of releasing a comedy after a drama and so on. Their second film stars Nicolas Cage as H.I. McDunnough, an ex-convict from Arizona who fell in love and married Ed (Holly Hunter), a police officer. The couple desperately want a child, and so they hatch a scheme to kidnap one of the quintuplets born to a wealthy Arizona family. As with most Coen films, hijinks and miscommunications and absurdities abound.
Who should watch it? This is a great film to watch if you’re looking for a really great comedy. In addition to the amazing Holly Hunter as Ed, you have Nic Cage in one of his funniest roles, plus a standout role from John Goodman in one of his first major roles.
Miller’s Crossing (1990)
This prohibition-era gangster film is about loyalty, betrayal, and power. In the movie, John Turturro plays a crooked bookie who is at risk of being killed by the Italian Mafia, except Leo O’Bannon (played by Albert Finney), an Irish mob boss in town, says it’s not going to happen. Leo and his advisor/right-hand man Tom Reagan (Gabriel Byrne) are both seeing the bookie’s sister Verna (Marcia Gay Harden). A gang war escalates as tensions between these key players continue to rise.
Who should watch it? This is ideal for Coen Brothers fans who have never dipped into their early films, or for anyone who likes an organized crime movie.
Barton Fink (1991)
This is the Coen Brothers’ first — but not last — movie about the absurdity of Hollywood. John Turturro is the star of this one. He plays Barton Fink, a struggling playwright who is trying to transition to writing movies in Hollywood. His life in Hollywood gets weirder and weirder as he tries to break through a bad case of writer’s block.
Who should watch it? Watch this one if you want to see one of John Turturro’s most iconic roles. It’s also fun for anyone who enjoys depictions of old Hollywood.
The Hudsucker Proxy (1991)
The best genre description of The Hudsucker Proxy is “screwball comedy.” A naive man named Norville Barnes (Tim Robbins) finds himself as the under-qualified president of a large corporation. His corrupt colleagues influence and manipulate him as his invention — basically the hula hoop — unexpectedly becomes incredibly successful. Meanwhile, Jennifer Jason Leigh plays an undercover reporter who tries to figure out what’s really going on at the shady company.
Who should watch it? This is one of the Coens’ worst-rated movies (60% on Rotten Tomatoes), but that doesn’t mean it’s bad. The performances from Robbins and Jason Leigh are great, and the satirical attack on corporate culture is worth watching. This is best for people who enjoy absurdist plots.
Fargo (1996)
Set in the snowy rural landscape of Brainerd, Minnesota, Fargo is a dark comedy and crime thriller. A pregnant police chief (Frances McDormand) is investigating a series of murders, all which seem to be traced back to the outrageous behavior of Jerry Lundegaard, a struggling car salesman played by William H. Macy. Regular Coen contributors Peter Stormare and Steve Buscemi also appear in memorable roles.
Who should watch it? Literally everyone who likes movies should watch Fargo. If you haven’t seen it…fix that. It has the Coens’ third-highest Rotten Tomatoes at 94%.
The Big Lebowski (1998)
This may be the Coen Brothers’ most culturally important movie. When it came out, most critics were confused and audiences didn’t love it — and yet it has become one of their biggest films of all time. The movie is a film noir/stoner comedy about a man called The Dude (Jeff Bridges), who shares a name with an LA millionaire. When an identity mix-up causes some low-grade criminals to vandalize the Dude’s house (and pee on his rug!), the two Jeffrey Lebowskis become intertwined in a story of kidnapping, lies, gold-digging, corrupt cops, known pornographers, and so much more. Oh, and of course, bowling. The movie also stars Julianne Moore, Steve Buscemi, John Goodman, and the late Philip Seymour Hoffman.
Who should watch it? To enjoy The Big Lebowski, you need to be someone who can just go with it. If you’re too hung up on understanding the ins and outs of the conflict, you’re going to struggle, because it’s really only after a few viewings that everything comes together. But if you want to watch one of the most quotable movies of all time, definitely watch The Big Lebowski.
What’s Next?
Tomorrow, let’s take a look at everything the Coens have made since The Big Lebowski!
