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The Man Who Wasn't There

R Released Oct 31, 2001 1h 56m Crime Drama List
81% Tomatometer 160 Reviews 85% Audience Score 25,000+ Ratings
A dark tale of infidelity and murder, crime and punishment. Set in a small northern California town of the late 40s, the film portrays Ed Crane (Billy Bob Thornton), a barber dissatisfied with his life. His wife Doris' (Frances McDormand) infidelity presents Ed with an opportunity for blackmail that he thinks will help him to change it. However, Ed's scheme unravels and lays bare even darker secrets... Read More Read Less
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The Man Who Wasn't There

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Critics Consensus

Stylish but emotionally distant, The Man Who Wasn't There is a clever tribute to the film noir genre.

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Critics Reviews

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Nell Minow Common Sense Media Some mature themes--best for older teens. Rated: 3/5 Dec 28, 2010 Full Review Richard Schickel TIME Magazine Affectlessness is not a quality much prized in movie protagonists, but Billy Bob Thornton, that splendid actor, does it perfectly as Ed Crane. Oct 13, 2009 Full Review Todd McCarthy Variety The film holds the interest, to be sure, but more due to the sure sense of craft and precise effect that one expects from the Coens than from genuine involvement in the story. Nov 7, 2007 Full Review Danielle Solzman Solzy at the Movies Like many films in the film noir genre, The Man Who Wasn't There would not work if it were released in color. Rated: 3.5/5 Feb 22, 2024 Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review The Coens often exaggerate a genre to comic effect, and for The Man Who Wasn't There, the mechanics of film noir marry with the Coens' unique brand of searching, and together realize their most mysterious, atmospheric motion picture. Rated: 4/4 Mar 2, 2022 Full Review Josh Larsen LarsenOnFilm Leave it to Joel and Ethan Coen to not only pay expert homage to the film noir genre, but darn near perfect it. Rated: 4/4 May 22, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Ross v Beautifully designed and shot. Slow-paced, slow burn. Fantastic performances and an understated overall ambiance for what is, essentially, a narrative look into the misbehavior, misdemeanors, and crimes, of everyday people. Jon Politio's small role is great. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/11/24 Full Review Leaburn O Enjoyed it. The voiceover and black/white palate all reminded me of Sun City. Thornton carries the film with his vacant, distant musings. Bought in DVD for £1. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/06/23 Full Review Clay W Film noir lives! Very good film, great performance by Billy Bob Thornton. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 06/19/23 Full Review dave s Ed (Billy Bob Thornton) is a man living an unfulfilled life. His job as a barber is nothing more than a means to an end. His unloving wife Doris (Frances McDormand) is having an affair. He lives in a world of facile relationships in which he wants no part. The Man Who Wasn't There is one of the Coen brothers most unappreciated works, a neo-noir film about alienation, infidelity, and, ultimately, murder. Filled with effective lighting, stellar cinematography by Roger Deakins, solid performances from an excellent cast (including James Gandolfini as Doris' lover), and a story filled with twists and turns, it is up there with the best that the Coens have to offer. Granted, the final twenty minutes or so may feel a bit tacked on, but The Man Who Wasn't There is definitely worth the watch. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Justin G Cast was stacked with talent! I give movie 7/10. Was a little slow but has a twist just about every 15 minutes. Good movie to watch on a rainy day! Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 12/08/22 Full Review Thomas M The best cinematography ever done in a movie! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/25/22 Full Review Read all reviews
The Man Who Wasn't There

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The Man Who Wasn't There

The Man Who Wasn't There: Official Clip - Freddy Reidenschneider The Man Who Wasn't There: Official Clip - Freddy Reidenschneider 2:11 The Man Who Wasn't There: Official Clip - The Murder The Man Who Wasn't There: Official Clip - The Murder 3:18 The Man Who Wasn't There: Official Clip - Reasonable Doubt The Man Who Wasn't There: Official Clip - Reasonable Doubt 2:54 The Man Who Wasn't There: Official Clip - It Stinks The Man Who Wasn't There: Official Clip - It Stinks 3:41 The Man Who Wasn't There: Official Clip - An Enthusiast The Man Who Wasn't There: Official Clip - An Enthusiast 2:41 The Man Who Wasn't There: Official Clip - A Diamond in the Rough The Man Who Wasn't There: Official Clip - A Diamond in the Rough 3:00 The Man Who Wasn't There: Official Clip - I Just Cut the Hair The Man Who Wasn't There: Official Clip - I Just Cut the Hair 2:05 The Man Who Wasn't There: Official Clip - The Ghost The Man Who Wasn't There: Official Clip - The Ghost 2:26 The Man Who Wasn't There: Official Clip - A Blackmail Note The Man Who Wasn't There: Official Clip - A Blackmail Note 3:00 The Man Who Wasn't There: Official Clip - The End The Man Who Wasn't There: Official Clip - The End 2:05 View more videos

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The Man Who Wasn't There

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Movie Info

Synopsis A dark tale of infidelity and murder, crime and punishment. Set in a small northern California town of the late 40s, the film portrays Ed Crane (Billy Bob Thornton), a barber dissatisfied with his life. His wife Doris' (Frances McDormand) infidelity presents Ed with an opportunity for blackmail that he thinks will help him to change it. However, Ed's scheme unravels and lays bare even darker secrets...
Director
Joel Coen
Producer
Ethan Coen
Screenwriter
Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Distributor
USA Films
Production Co
Paramount
Rating
R (Scene of Violence)
Genre
Crime, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 31, 2001, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 14, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$7.5M
Runtime
1h 56m
Sound Mix
Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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