The Coen Brothers have a way of making the ordinary seem mythical.
While America has a long tradition of folk stories, no one is quite carrying on that legacy quite like the Coens. Even classic Westerns seemed more concerned with moral dilemmas. This is why the Coens are able to heavily foreshadow in their screenplays without it seeming cheesy; you are in their world and playing by their rules.
The first reason for this, is everything and everyone seems important. If a man is approaching in a bear skin, it is shot as if it is an entrance of a main character. You are then enthralled by his words, despite him talking about quite ordinary practicalities.
They are able to cross genre so seamlessly because all their movies recall the same sense of wonder. Whether it be a comedy, Western, gangster film, family drama, they value their characters actions, whether it be to kill their wife, or trying to find their favorite hair product. Their characters are important to us, because they're important to themselves, whether they're a used car salesman, or a hired gunman.
They created their own American lore, and we're so lucky to get glimpses into their world.
The Coen Brothers have a way of making the ordinary seem mythical.
While America has a long tradition of folk stories, no one is quite carrying on that legacy quite like the Coens. Even classic Westerns seemed more concerned with moral dilemmas. This is why the Coens are able to heavily foreshadow in their screenplays without it seeming cheesy; you are in their world and playing by their rules.
The first reason for this, is everything and everyone seems important. If a man is approaching in a bear skin, it is shot as if it is an entrance of a main character. You are then enthralled by his words, despite him talking about quite ordinary practicalities.
They are able to cross genre so seamlessly because all their movies recall the same sense of wonder. Whether it be a comedy, Western, gangster film, family drama, they value their characters actions, whether it be to kill their wife, or trying to find their favorite hair product. Their characters are important to us, because they're important to themselves, whether they're a used car salesman, or a hired gunman.
They created their own American lore, and we're so lucky to get glimpses into their world.
