In The Coen Brothers: This Book Really Ties the Films Together, film critic Adam Nayman carefully sifts through their complex cinematic universe in an effort to plot, as he puts it, “some Grand Unified Theory of Coen-ness.” Ethan and Joel Coen have cultivated a bleakly comical, instantly recognizable voice in modern American cinema. They have given movie fans classics of all types—comedy, history, drama, romance. Their movies have a distinctive style and point of view: hilarious, sad, thoughtful, musical, sometimes all at once. When someone says a movie is Coen Brothers–like, every serious movie lover knows exactly what they mean. Combining critical text—biography, close film analysis, and enlightening interviews with key Coen collaborators—with a visual aesthetic that honors the Coens’ singular mix of darkness and levity, Adam Nayman covers all their popular, award-winning, and unforgettable creations:
- The Big Lebowski
- Raising Arizona
- Fargo
- Inside Llewyn Davis
- O Brother, Where Art Thou
- Barton Fink
- Miller’s Crossing
- Blood Simple
- The Hudsucker Proxy
- And more!
Featuring film stills, beautiful and evocative illustrations, punchy infographics, and hard insight, this is the definitive exploration of the Coen brothers’ oeuvre.
“Fans . . . will appreciate this oversized guide to their offbeat oeuvre.” ―Newsday “A great gift for any Coen fan-boy or fan-girl in your life.” ―NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour “Filled with glossy, well-chosen pictures as well as thoughtful, eloquent analysis.” ―Filmmaker
