BLOOD SIMPLE

This is a labyrinthine neo-noir, an impressive debut film from the Coens that offers the sort of pleasures you would expect: a combination of black humour and violence, superior dialogue and cinematography, and an array of flawed characters.

That being said, I did find it dragged a bit after a while and the violent climax left me cold.  Maybe when few of the characters are sympathetic (to put it mildly) the film needs to offer something else to hold the viewer.  The convoluted plot held my interest to begin with but it wasn't enough. 

RATING: ✓ If You've Nothing Better To Do