The three lead characters all have lockjaw and speak so slowly, it’s as if the Coen’s wrote their words in cement. Even worse, the three (the two adulterers and the cuckold) are incredibly stupid. Every problem in movie could have been avoided by a realistic discussion. Instead, obvious questions go unasked and vital information is withheld for no reason. It’s less “blood simple” than “Three simpletons”. For example (spoilers ahead):
When John Getz stumbles upon a dead “Marty” he finds Frances McDormand gun. Does he pick up the gun and leave? Of course not. Instead, he takes the body and buries it, cleans up the crime scene, and never asks McDormand if she killed Marty. And why bury him and risk being discovered when the gun is her only link to the crime?
When Marty meets with killer/detective E. Emmett Walsh, he’s shown a fake death photo of the 2 lovers and Marty gives him $10,000. But why is he shown a photo? Obviously, if Marty’s wife had been killed the police would’ve contacted Marty. Yet, he never asks what Walsh did with the bodies. Or why he’s showing him a photo. Huh?
Walsh shoots Marty but never checks to see if he’s really dead. Huh? Hours later when Getz is about to bury him, Marty then suddenly brings to life. How did that happen?
Summary: A good first effort by the Coen Brothers. Unfortunately, a few excellent scenes (especially the last 10 minutes) and Walsh’s creepy detective can’t overcome the unpleasant leads, plot holes, and slow-pace. Worth a watch for Coen fans - otherwise mediocre ** ½
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