Viewing Thread:
"I think the Coens might be about to release a stinker"

Plot summary of the new coen brothers' film:

"A slick Beverly Hills divorce lawyer (Clooney) frames the wife (Zeta-Jones) of a client to get him released from the marriage without a settlement. She vows to get revenge by marrying the attorney, aiming to take him to the cleaners in their own savage divorce, but what she doesn't expect is that she falls in love with him in the process..."

1. Julia Roberts and Richard Gere were originally offered the leads
2. Then Will Smith and Hugh Grant were tapped up for the male lead
3. It has silly Daily Mail-endorsed heart throb in it
4. It has silly Daily Mail-endorsed babe in it (in competition with Ulrika Johnson and Carol Vorderman no less)
5. Any summary that includes "she falls in love with him in the process" screams that mills and boone crappy love-story

There are some pluses though, Billy Bob Thornton and Geoffrey Rush have just been added to the cast. Roger Deakins is cinematographering again.

But it's not looking good is it?

Oh well, there's always repeated viewings of "The man who wasn't there" to look forward to...

Mr. Happy wrote:
> I think that was a Ethan solo outing, but he was only one of a number
> of script writers that contributed and he dropped out pretty early on.
> You can see the Coen influence but it's more a Coen cover version
> directed by a fan, namely their storyboard artist, Todd Anderson.

I dont know for sure, I'm more of a fan of their movies than of the Brothers themselves, I was under the impression that Ethan co-wrote the movie with Todd (who also directed)? (I'm mainly going on information I read in an old Sky Customer magazine here, so its best taken with a pinch of salt :) )

Although I reckon your right, he did seem to be a attempting a Cohen look, however is did seem to lack a certain spark?

Armatige Shanks wrote:

> That the Cohen Bros didn’t write the movie may be a little cause for
> concern, ‘The Naked Guy’ being my least favourite Cohen ‘related’
> piece? (Although its was still better than 99% of the movies they
> stick out).

I think that was a Ethan solo outing, but he was only one of a number of script writers that contributed and he dropped out pretty early on. You can see the Coen influence but it's more a Coen cover version directed by a fan, namely their storyboard artist, Todd Anderson.

And just as All Saints' version of "Under the Bridge" was poop, so too is Mr. Anderson's version of a Coens' film.

Most Cohen Bros movies, superficially, have extremely cheesy plots… (y’know, for kids) its what they do with them that makes it so different.

I find it’s near impossible to compare Cohen Bros movies to anything other than other Cohen Bros movies...

That the Cohen Bros didn’t write the movie may be a little cause for concern, ‘The Naked Guy’ being my least favourite Cohen ‘related’ piece? (Although its was still better than 99% of the movies they stick out).

My favourite Coens film is Barton Fink. John Goodman as a devil of sorts, John Tuturro as a playwright who brings home the harshities of fishmongers, a William Faulkner lookalike, the best dumb film exec in the cinema:
"The important thing is we all want it to have that Barton Fink feeling. And I guess we've all had that Barton Fink feeling but since you're Barton Fink I'm assuming you have it in spades."

And steve buscemi as a demonic bell boy.

Barton Fink rules.
But those bastad Coens aren't planning to release it on DVD anytime soon.

And the Man Who Wasn't There is a masterpiece as well. Possibly one of the most exquisitely shot films ever. Billy Bob Thornton has a face made for black and white, and the black and white is flawless, no dust flecks or scratches, perfect. It's also one of their funniest films. But then most Coens films are very funny, and get funnier the more you watch them.

Fargo's coming to DVD in September I think.

The Big Lebowski was my fave Coens film.

It could be good........maybe?

Gaz, you just named Oh Brother and said it was good but didn't mention Big Lebowski, Miller's Crossing or Fargo!

I didn't think Oh Brother was that great. There were a few funny bits (We're in a tight spot!) but overall, it was really disappointing compared to their other films.

I'd have to say that Miller's Crossing, the big Lebowski and Fargo were all FAR better than Oh Brother.

"And what was in the case Mr Lebowski?"
"Oh, just paper....my business papers."
"And what kind of work do you do?"
"Iiiiii'm unemployed."


Still, I have yet to see The Man who wasn't there.

If I were to watch Blood Simple now, I think I'd probably commit suicide. It is so deperessing and I'm feeling very 'down' at the moment.

The Coens, release a bad movie? Well, thats never happened before...

I do not like the vaunted Coens. Although O Brother Where Art Thou was quality, and The Man Who Wasn't There (Black and white with Billy-Bob, right?) was OK I suppose.

I'm not sure they could make a crap movie either, but they must really like to set themselves a challenge if they've gone for this one.

I'll definitely go and watch it, but judging by the amount of pre-production turmoil it's got quite a high flop potential.

ah well, I'll just have to wait and see. I don't think they've started filming yet, but it's still slotted in for release this year.

I don't think they can make a crap movie.

Look at the plot description for "Oh Brother Where Art Thou?"

"A comedy set in depression era America, adapted from 'The Odyssey' by Homer starring George Clooney as Evert McGill, the ringleader of a trio of dimwitter escaped convicts that try to recover a lost treasure, along the way inventing rock and roll"

I have faith.
Although the realisation that they didn't write this themselves does set off alarm bells.
I'll still go watch it though.

"My hair!"