In the wild transition that is Chicagoland weather, we have gone through many a season over the last couple weeks. The calendar says it is April, but the barometer has been early autumn, late winter and, briefly, June. Despite tempestuous climate changes, the multiplex has been on a relative flatline. All the major releases worth seeing don’t come out until May. In an attempt to spare you (as well as myself) the review of Beau Is Afraid, the vote went to streaming. After having to push my plans for two interconnected series to a later article, my quest continued. Unforeseen circumstances arose however, concerning losing the internet connection. Well, as I was dusting my shelves, a thought came upon me. Why not a couple classics my from Blu-ray collection, that are available through services? So, for those who do have their WiFi working, HBO Max has these and more.
Blood Simple was a small indie picture that came out in the early months of 1985. Made on a micro-budget of $1.5 million, it showcased the amazing talent of the directing/writing duo known now as the Coen Brothers. With future filmmaker Barry Sonnenfeld helming the camera, they gave us a Neo-noir masterpiece. Like the title, the story is very straightforward. Bar owner Dan Hedaya figures out his wife is seeing another man. After employing a shady detective to tail her, he finds that she is having an affair with one of his bartenders. In a chain of events, he pays to have his wife and lover bumped off by the investigator. But like all best laid plans, things go awry.
Even from the get-go the Coens’ deadpan humor and sense of the uncanny shines through even with such a shoestring production. There a wonderful dolly shot that goes across the bar at the midpoint where, in lesser hands, would come off as a gimmick but makes me laugh every time. The treat is to watch these two hone their skills while simultaneously showing off. And the cast is more than able to rise to the occasion. Seeing a young Frances McDormand play the wife, her demeanor shifts from scared waif to confident avenger within minutes.
Having seen this film in college, I never understood why audiences and critics were shocked at their Oscar-winning No Country for Old Men. The beats are all there: money, double crosses, blasts of violence. Our resident psychotic in the private detective is more jokingly sadistic, especially when M. Emmett Walsh plays him. Whereas Country was sun-drenched, Blood Simple is bathed in 80s neon a la Michael Mann’s Thief. Perfect for a night among friends or alone with a good beer.
Towards a more sophisticated crime tale one of my favorites is Elevator to the Gallows. Coming from France, this 1950s film was the debut of Louis Malle. Again, we have an uncomplicated set-up. Maurice Ronet plays an office worker having an affair with the bosses wife . One day, he executes a scheme to kill him and make it look like suicide. Upon trying to leave the office, the power is shut off for the night leaving him stuck inside the titler vehicle. Outside two teenagers steal his car, while his mistress played by Jeanne Moreau sees only the car. What follows is a night of mistaken motivations and Murphy’s Law.
Filmed in pristine black and white by renowned French New Wave cinematographer Henri Decaë, even walking in the rain looks elegant. Watching Moreau walk the street to the strains of Miles Davis is truly breathtaking. To spoil the many twists and turns that happen here would be the ultimate crime. So, I implore you all the seek both these out for your nightly viewing. Unlike the decisions of the protagonists, you won’t regret it.
