Blood Simple ****

Written by both brothers, Joel and Ethan Coen, this is the first movie directed by Joel Coen (1984). It's been nearly 25 years since I saw this movie and when I came across the name this morning I reminisced what a terrific piece of film noir it is. It predates Fargo by 12 years and it's darker and bloodier by far. Every entertaining, but be prepared.

Roger Ebert, in his review of the 15 year anniversary Director's Cut, included this:

In my 1985 review, I tried to explain that: "It keys into three common nightmares: (1) You clean and clean but there's still blood all over the place; (2) You know you have committed a murder, but you're not sure how or why; (3) You know you've forgotten a small detail that will eventually get you into a lot of trouble." Those feelings are so elemental that the movie involves us even though we know the Coens are laughing as they devise their fiendish complications. In a strange way, the contrivances also help excuse the blood and gore. If you are squeamish, here is the film to make you squeam.

For a complete review by Roger Ebert, click HERE.