The Films of Joel and Ethan Coen (Paperback)

~ (Author) "If "knowingness is the soul of wit" in a contemporary culture steeped in irony, Joel and Ethan Coen, whose work routinely traffics in meta-irony, are..." (more)
Key Phrases: funny lookin, match cut, sound bridge, The Dude, Blood Simple, Miller's Crossing (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Comprehensive...in-depth analysis --Gadfly

Provides a wonderful way for a fan of the Coens to become intimate with the carefully layered films --Burlington County Times

Product Description

Filmmaker brothers Joel and Ethan Coen got their start in the independent film business in 1984 with their debut feature Blood Simple, which won the award of Best Dramatic Feature at Sundance in 1985 and was hailed as one of the best films of the year by the National Board of Review. Since their early success, the Coen Brothers have built a name for themselves and gone on to create other big-name movies such as Raising Arizona, Fargo, and The Big Lebowski. This book is a comprehensive account of these four films and Miller's Crossing, Barton Fink and The Hudsucker Proxy. Production information and in-depth analysis and critique are provided, as well as discussions on how each movie functions in the broader context of the Coens' work, and the themes, strategies, and motifs often utilized by the Coens.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 191 pages
• Publisher: McFarland & Company (May 23, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786409738
• ISBN-13: 978-0786409730
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #652,265 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sheds New Light On The Coen Brothers' Films, November 2, 2008

By	Daniel Spencer (New York City) - See all my reviews

The book is a little pricey, but that's because it's not supermarket fiction. The publisher, McFarland, specializes in cool non-fiction, with a strong emphasis on the arts and scholarly topics. As for the book itself, I loved it. Never thought about the Coen brothers movies in that way before. I wish the author would come out with a second volume and cover their more recent stuff. I give the book 5 stars.

5.0 out of 5 stars loved it, November 2, 2008

By	Adrienne Wollman (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This was a wonderfully insightful book about a unique filmmaking team that Russell illuminates by making connections between film history and the early work of the Coen brothers. Readers should take special note of the chapter on "The Hudsucker Proxy" for the reference Russell makes to the various film genres alluded to in the movie, which help make the viewing so much more enjoyable. Her knowledge and perceptions as well as pithy writing style made this a fascinating read. I would highly recommend this book to anyone, film buff or otherwise!

1.0 out of 5 stars Way overpriced little paperback, January 7, 2008

By	J. R. Veatch (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

I have no idea why this book is retailing at just under $35. It's a short little paperback, and I feel completely ripped-off. It'd be a questionable buy at 7.95... I expected quite a bit more.