Hammerman Ikon

Hammerman Ikon Film Guide

Blood Simple
1984
****½
Director: Joel Coen
Cast: John Getz, Dan Hedaya, Frances McDormand, M. Emmet Walsh, Samm-Art Williams

The writing and directing debut of the Coen brothers is a bleak and darkly funny neo-noir. A jealous husband hires a dirty private eye to kill his wife and her lover, but that is only the beginning of the twisty story. This stylish and deliberately paced film is a work of young but confident filmmakers. The dialogue-free 15-minute burial scene is the clear highlight. Frances McDormand appears in her first screen role.