Ranking The Coen Brothers' Films (Worst to Best)
Here we go! An attempt to rank the filmography of the brothers Coen! A pair of directors who have convinced me that any time they have a new movie (that they've actually directed... not just written) I should go out and see it. There is a certain element of quirk involved in all of their films that, I suppose, tickles my fancy. So let's get into which of their films is the best!
Film/Rank:
#17- Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)
Reason Why:
I know people love this movie. If I'm being honest I don't know why other than the hype behind a Coen Brothers film. I wanted to get into this movie but it felt like the series finale of a show that I'd never seen before. Constantly visiting characters everyone else got to grow to love but I only got brief tastes of. Don't @ me... I just feel like people are meeting this movie more than half way. It doesn't help that I found Mr. Davis almost impossible to root for. He's the only constant in the film and I couldn't get on board with his inability to compromise.
Film/Rank:
#16- Intolerable Cruelty (2003)
Reason Why:
This movie is fine from what I remember. It does feel like a bit of a departure from Joel and Ethan's approach to film making but whatever. Even though it does feel beneath them, I bet the brothers had fun making it or satisfied some kind of obligation they had to whoever commissioned this film.
Film/Rank:
#15- The Ladykillers (2004)
Reason Why:
Even though this movie features Marlon Wayans and the singing voice of Simba/The Smart Guy's brother/the guy singing "One Call Away" this movie is a tough watch. It's uneven at best. I honestly don't know if I'd appreciate it more now than I did when I saw it in theatres and then on home video. All I know is it has its moments.
Film/Rank:
#14- The Man Who Wasn't There (2001)
Reason Why:
This was a movie that I enjoyed reading message boards about more than I enjoyed watching. Don't get me wrong. It's a well made film, but the genuine joy comes from attempting to unpack things after the fact, or seeing people argue about what they thought was significant or insignificant. The movie, didn't really stick with me though.
Film/Rank:
#13- Blood Simple. (1984)
Reason Why:
I'm sure there are people who will be angry with this placement. I think the concept of the film is better than the actual execution of the film. And that's alright, this was the first Coen Brothers film! I couldn't get into the John Getz performance and wished there was way more Frances Mcdormand. Having said all of that, if you look at this movie on paper its got a lot of great full circle moments and poetry to it.
Film/Rank:
#12- Hail, Caeser! (2016)
Reason Why:
This movie might be as bad as I've heard people say it is. I just think I had really high hopes based on the star power the trailers tried to push. I get why a marketing team may think that that was a good idea. However, it resulted in an underwhelming feeling by the end as I realized that there wasn't much more to the Jonah Hill scenes... or that Dolph Lungren was reduced to a silhouette in the night. One thing that deleivered was everything to do with Mr. Young Han Solo and Ralph Finnes.
Film/Rank:
#11- Raising Arizona (1987)
Reason Why:
This movie, especially compared to Blood Simple. is different! However, this is exactly the kind of different I like from Joel and Ethan. The more ominous tones get eschewed and the off beat humour is showcased in full. I can see people feeling like this movie is a swing and a miss, but at least they're swinging. You have to jump right in for this very particular vision for a movie. I appreciate the confidence in that. Having said all that, the movie does kind of lose steam after the best set piece of Nichoals Cage being chased through town by dogs, police, and a store owner sets an excitement level bar that is never reached again.
Film/Rank:
#10- Burn After Reading (2008)
Reason Why:
At least in my circle, this was everybody's Hail, Caeser! A movie that had star power and crazy trailers. Maybe I'm a rube, but I dug this movie! It's not as engrossing as the movie that came the year before, but I enjoyed the characters and the story. I can't ask for more really.
Film/Rank:
#9- The Hudsucker Proxy (1994)
Reason Why:
A film where the hoola-hoop gets made. Go figure! More importantly, I'm a sucker for films like this, Rookie of the Year, and Trading Places, where someone is given more power than they should have and get a chance to prove their naysayers wrong. Even without all that, I just can't help but love the way everyone speaks in this movie. It's also the first Coen Brothers film I saw that I thought looked amazing. Mix that with the commitment to the wacky world these characters in habit and you've got yourself a great movie!
Film/Rank:
#8- Miller's Crossing (1990)
Reason Why:
Much like Blood Simple. I didn't love the choice for main protagonist. However, you can't deny this film has a great set of characters to interact with throughout. My personal favourite being Bernie! There are some amazing visuals in this film as well. I feel like Dylan is some where right now reading this getting mad that Miller's Crossing isn't higher up. But this is my list! Not his!
Film/Rank:
#7- True Grit (2010)
Reason Why:
The trailer's use of Johnny Cash set this film up to be underwhelming. While I suppose I could have guessed that particular song wouldn't show up in the film, I didn't anticipate the almost childlike disney-esque score that ended up accompanying this film. That made for a weird feeling when I left the theatre. Luckily, as with most Coen Brothers' films, it's a film that rewards multiple viewings. The characters are strong enough that you can look past the music and enjoy their ups and downs! Plus I absolutely loved Josh Brolin's character in this movie. What a treat!
Film/Rank:
#6- A Serious Man (2009)
Reason Why:
I watched this movie on a plane even though I didn't remember much promotion for it. All I knew it was a Coen Brothers joint. I am so happy I did. It can be frustrating, for multiple reasons, including how Michael Stuhlbarg's Larry is treated, but, it draws you in! I think a lot of the frustration comes from the way that the brothers pull you into Larry's world and make you care. People could just as easily dismiss some of the unanswered questions, or come away without questions, but that hasn't been my experience. It's a movie that gives you a much more active than passive experience and I always love that.
Film/Rank:
#5- O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)
Reason Why:
My love for Homer's Odyssey and the music in this film blinds me to any shortcomings the actual film may have. I love the way Odysseus' adventures are worked into this script and there is no denying that the music in this movie is top notch. I just remember that when I rewatched this film recently I found myself checking the time more than I'm used to doing during a movie... but the Greek epic poem and singing tho!
Film/Rank:
#4- Barton Fink (1991)
Reason Why:
Every single time Barton insults someone with his complete lack of self awareness is funny to me. Every time John Goodman is on screen it's captivating. This movie is appealing since its centred around a writer, but, what's more is that it's a Coen Brothers film where the concept and execution are perfectly matched. I love the performances and how everything unfolds. It's not to say that never happens, but it's always great when it happens.
Film/Rank:
#3- Fargo (1996)
Reason Why:
We can all just agreed that Marge is an amazing character that we'd follow anywhere, right? What makes this film so great has a lot to do with her, but, it also features the William H. Macy storyline. A storyline that always gets me invested, a person trying to pull off a crime while the universe conspires against them. There are also the nice moments like when Marge goes to dinner with Mike and tells him if they sat next to each other, she'd get a neck ache from turning to look at him so much. A nice touch that also made me think twice during my days of dating. Plus the creator of Legion was also able to create a pretty successful TV version of this movie.
Film/Rank:
#2- The Big Lebowski (1998)
Reason Why:
I wholeheartedly disliked the dream sequence I woke up to in the middle of the night one time on CBC. As such, I had a hate on for this movie until I met Brian and he convinced me to give this movie a fair shot. Much like he did with Darjeeling Limited. Things went much better with this movie. I don't know why the 20 seconds or so I saw bothered me so much, but I was a fool. John Goodman brings another great character to life in this movie, and Jeff Bridges is just so likeable in this movie.
Film/Rank:
#1- No Country for Old Men (2007)
Reason Why:
I never thought I was this way, but I guess I'm really into a story with a great villain. I always thought I cared more about the good guys. A brief glance at this site would reveal, however, that I'm pretty interested in the villains too. I've ranked the villains of the MCU and Spider-Man films, as well as dream cast Batman villains. I digress. Sure, I dig Josh Brolin and love the Tommy Lee Jones performance as well as storyline. Yeah the concept and execution both are great in this instance too. But, Chirgurh is the X factor that makes the movie something more. That hook that makes people want to quote the movie. And that cinematography, right?
-YG