The Coen Bros.

The Coens movies seem to provide the most obvious auteur style of any director that we have studied to this point. Maybe it was just the three movies that we watched in class, but you certainly don't need to dig very deep into those to leave with a very clear idea of what makes a Coen movie. The first thing that comes to mind is the "petty" crimes that blow way out of proportion and send the characters on a crazy cinematic journey. In Raising Arizona, it was H.I. and Ed's decision to steal a baby that unleashed to lone rider of the apocalypse. In Fargo, it is Lundegaard's decision to pay men to kidnap his wife in order to get ransom money from his boss and father in law. No Country for Old Men is a little different in that it made me go back and put quotes around "petty" crime. Maybe for this one, they decided to skip the pettiness in the name of badassness, which, is a very favorable choice. Each of these films is also set in a distinct setting that is highly developed by the characters and the plot. Another thing that makes the Coen's who they are is their sense of humor. No matter what horrible actions are being carried out by the characters on screen, the Coens always leave room in the script for a little humor. I suppose i am referring to a juxtaposition between very heinous and serious crimes and some goofy little interjection of humor. I remember the first time i saw Fargo, i was so caught off guard by the 3 murders, not to mention the grand woodchipping finale. definately makes for a more interesting movie to laugh when youre not expecting it, or to cringe when you least expect it.