You have to hand it to those creative Coen Brothers--even when they aren't at the top of their game, they always make films worth watching. While I wouldn't call The Man Who Wasn't There my favorite of their pictures (that honor would have to go to Barton Fink or Fargo) I did enjoy it more then The Big Lebowski and O Brother Where Art Thou.

In this black and white noir film, Billy Bob Thornton plays a quiet barber who has a knack for getting himself into trouble. Usually it involves some kind of get-rich-quick scheme. Before long, Thornton finds himself knee deep in mystery after a money making opportunity goes horribly wrong.

Thornton gives a terrific performance here. This ranks right up there with Sling Blade and A Simple Plan. While this appears to be a deadpan turn on the surface, there is also complexity at it's heart, and Thornton is totally up to the challenge. James Gandolfini is also superb as a big business man with a dark secret and a mean temper. Frances McDormand gives yet another terrific comical performance as Thornton's alcoholic wife. While the rest of the supporting cast is stellar (which is typical in a Coen Brothers picture), it is Tony Shaloub (from the TV show Wings) who steals nearly every scene he's in as a fast talking lawyer. His comic timing is impeccable.

The Man Who Wasn't There is easily the Coen Brothers most subtle and quiet picture. While it does feature their trademark offbeat charm and quirky characters, they refrain from the manic cinematography and the sort of zany rhythm we're accustomed to seeing in their work. The end result is entirely different kind of Coen Brothers movie, but one well worth watching. I had no idea where this picture was going. It was one strange turn after another, but the Coens are so skilled in their execution, that I was engrossed every step of the way.

With it's spectacular cinematography and top notch performances, The Man Who Wasn't There is another great piece of film making from a pair of directors who are not only movie makers, but movie fans as well. With it's homage to the great noir films of the past, The Man Who Wasn't There shows the Coens in top form. You can always count on the brothers for an interesting film experience.