The Man Who Wasn’t There (2001, The Coen Brothers)

The film focuses on a discreet barber who is also the narrator. Ed Crane works with his brother in law Frank, first chair of the barber shop. Crane never wanted to be a barber and when a client told him about an interesting money investment, he took it as an opportunity to make his life better. Bad choice. For someone whom most people see as a dumb guy, being involved in a speculative investment business may be the solution but in some ways it confirms people’s thoughts. Ed Crane put himself in danger. He blackmailed his wife’s boss and lover for money without realizing the consequences.

The Coens on the set of 'The Man Who Wasn't There'

                                                        (credits: www.allmoviephoto.com)

Joel and Ethan Coen obviously do not need to spend big money on explosions and somptuous music to make movies. Of course, the noir genre does not need those. The plot will suffice to entertain you. The beginning is going too slow but seeing the characters interact, how the story develops and the way it ends is just pure delight. Billy Bob Thornton’s performance as the laconic barber is remarkably tremendous. We could see the anger, the fear, the remorse and other mixed feelings that lie underneath his calm and unblinking face. 

This is a piece of work where every character actually plays an important part. Even Big Dave’s wife, especially when she told him about creatures from outer space. I am nearly convinced the reference to the aliens and the spacecrafts is one of those things they call MacGuffin in Hitchcock’s films (like the stolen money in Psycho?). Or: with Big Dave and Frank’s ‘what kind of man are you’ question, it could be an explanation to the title, a simple answer about who hides beneath THE barber: an alien, a lunatic, a ghost.

Billy Bob Thornton in The Barber (a screenshot from the "coloured" edition)

Memorable quotes:

Blackmail note: I know about you and Doris Crane. Cooperate or Ed Crane will know. Your wife will know. Everyone will know. Gather $10,000 and await instructions.

Ed Crane: When I walked home, it seems like everyone avoided looking at me, as if I caught some disease (…). It was like I was a ghost walking on the street (…). I was a ghost. I didn’t see anyone, noone saw me, I was THE barber.