Joel and Ethan Coen, one of American cinema’s most iconic couples, have built an acclaimed, award-winning career spanning four decades. Working together as screenwriters, directors and producers, they developed their own distinctive style.
His films cross several genres, always with a subverted or parodied approach, with an emphasis on morbid comedies.
However, many of his works fall into the subgenre of “comedies of errors,” which explore misunderstanding and confusion, often resulting in absurd, hilarious, tragic and even violent outcomes.
With a career full of awards, the Coens were nominated several times for an Oscar and won the statuette on four occasions, in the director, screenplay and best film categories.
However, in recent years, the collaboration between the brothers seems to have stopped, as they both worked on individual projects.
Taking advantage of the moment, we have prepared a list with available online for your review.
10 Coen brothers films to watch online
No Country for Old Men (2007)
Based on the novel of the same name by Cormac McCarthy, “” is considered by many critics to be the .
Multiple awards, the film won four Oscars, including best film. Additionally, it was selected by the United States Library of Congress for preservation National Film Registry.
Actors Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem and Josh Brolin star in the film. In the plot, the hunter Moss (Brolin) finds himself facing a terrifying scenario: a drug deal gone wrong, with several dead bodies and a suitcase full of money.
Moss decides to take the suitcase, even though he knows someone will soon be looking for him. The man hunting him is Anton Chigurh (Bardem), a ruthless killer, devoid of compassion and conscience.
Arizona Never Again (1987)
Featuring Nicolas Cage in one of his first major film roles, “Arizona Never Again” is the second feature film directed by the Coen brothers.
The film is a comedy that follows an unlikely couple: an ex-convict (Cage) and a police officer (Holly Hunter). They want to have a child but cannot conceive one.
However, when a furniture tycoon appears on television with his newborn quintuplets, they decide to steal one for themselves.
Final Tuning (1990)
The mafia film “Final Adjustment” is set during Prohibition in the United States. The film stars Gabriel Byrne, Marcia Gay Harden, John Turturro, Jon Polito, JE Freeman and Albert Finney.
The story follows a dispute between two gangs. Tom (Byrne) is the right-hand man of one of these bosses, Leo (Finney). However, Tom is having an affair with his boss’s (Harden) wife.
True Courage (2010)
The western “Indomitable Bravery” is an adaptation of the novel of the same name by Charles Portis. Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin and Hailee Steinfeld star in the production.
The plot follows a 14-year-old girl (Steinfeld) who hires a veteran sheriff (Bridges) to help her find the man who killed her father (Brolin). Later, a Texas Ranger (Damon) joins the search.
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018)
A Netflix original, “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs” is an anthology film that features six stories set in the Old West.
The cast includes Tim Blake Nelson, James Franco, Brendan Gleeson, Zoe Kazan, Liam Neeson and Tom Waits.
Killer Old Ladies (2004)
Remake of the 1955 classic, “Matadores de Velhinha” is a comedy starring Tom Hanks.
The story follows a cunning criminal (Hanks) who rents a room in the home of a lonely, religious older woman. Pretending to manage a band, he gathers his gang to “rehearse” in the basement.
However, the real plan is to dig a tunnel to the vault of a nearby casino.
Barton Fink – Hollywood Delusions (1991)
One of the most acclaimed films of the Coen brothers’ career, “Barton Fink” received the Palme d’Or at the 1991 Cannes Film Festival.
The plot follows Barton Fink (John Turturro), a promising Broadway playwright hired to write screenplays for a Hollywood film studio.
Staying in a hotel to focus on his next job, he faces writer’s block. Meanwhile, an insurance charlatan (John Goodman), who lives next door, tries to help him.
Fargo: A Comedy of Errors (1996)
One of the most important films of the Coens’ career, the morbid comedy “Fargo” was a huge critical and box office success. Frances McDormand, William H. Macy, Steve Buscemi, Harve Presnell and Peter Stormare star in the production.
The plot follows a car salesman with financial problems who plans a scam to get money. He hires two criminals to kidnap his wife and extort ransom from her wealthy father-in-law. However, things go wrong and a pregnant police chief begins investigating a triple murder.
The film won two Oscars: best actress for Frances McDormand and best original screenplay for the Coens. Furthermore, it has been selected for conservation in National Film Registry from the United States Library of Congress.
A television series of the same name was launched in 2014, inspired by the film and set in the same fictional universe. Produced by the Coens, the show was also successful, as was the film.
The Big Lebowski (1998)
With cult status, “The Big Lebowski” is another Coen film preserved in National Film Registry. In the plot, Jeffrey Lebowski (Jeff Bridges), better known as “The Dude”, is a lazy person who only lives to bowl and smoke marijuana.
However, he becomes involved in a grand plan when he is mistaken for a millionaire, also named Jeffrey Lebowski (David Huddleston). The rich man’s young wife has been kidnapped and he asks “The Dude” to deliver the ransom for her.
However, “The Dude’s” (John Goodman) quirky friend complicates everything by trying to keep the ransom money for himself.
So, my brother, where are you? (2000)
Satirical and musical comedy, “So, my brother, where are you?” features George Clooney in the lead role. John Turturro and Tim Blake Nelson also star in the film.
The film follows three escaped prisoners in a rural area of the United States in the 1930s in search of hidden treasure.
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Source: Olhar Digital
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
