This film was disappointing for me it is a good film with phenomenal camerawork. But I saw this after I had watched all of the Coen Brothers films up to that point and while it pales in comparison I have to remember that this is there first film before the other masterpieces. While they breathe life into a well known genre it still didn’t grab me. The performances vary wildly and the memorable characters are played by M. emmitt walsh, Dan hedaya and Samm-art Williams and they aren’t even the leads.

Films can have characters who are entertaining who are not the leads but then it feels like a sitcom where you sit with the leads while waiting around for the funny supporting characters usually best friends to show up that is not so good in feature film that is 90 minutes or over you find yourself wishing for certain characters to show up even if it makes no sense for the scene. That is the problem I have with the film I’d rather watch a film about the supporting characters then even see the leads.

I like the fact of the modern spin on the film noir drama that shows the filmmakers are thinking and have actual ideas. I don’t want to ruin it by how they achieve this so hopefully it inspires you to go out and watch it for yourself.

It has all the familiar ingredients the private detective, the jealous husband the much younger wife with cheating in her heart but is a good person. The sad sack nice guy dim drifter. A local hometown watering hole.

There are many shots/Scenes that are memorable. The paper delivery the light coming through the bullet holes in the dark. The stabbed hand. The fact that the private detective is never named.

It is worth watching but I can’t stand behind it in praise that it has been gained over the years by critics but most of them saw it when the film originally came out in theaters or on home video