2001, 1 hr. 56 min., Rated R for a scene of violence.�Dir: Joel Coen. Written by Joel and Ethan Coen. Cast: Billy Bob Thornton (Ed Crane), Frances McDormand (Doris Crane), James Gandolfini (Big Dave), Michael Badalucco (Frank), Katherine Borowitz (Ann Nirdlinger), Scarlett Johansson (Birdy Abundas), Richard Jenkins (Walter Abundas), Tony Shalhoub (Attorney Freddy Riedenschneider), Jon Polito (Creighton Tolliver).

Seeing as how O Brother Where Art Thou? was my favorite film of 2000, I was curious to see if the Coen brothers could make a masterpiece twice in a row. The answer? Not really. Were my expectations too high? Probably.

Overall, while the look was great, and there were some good characters and the dialogue was above reproach, I was pretty well bored most of the time. And I'm not one to fault movies for having an easy-going pace.

Set in 1949 Santa Rosa, California, Ed Crane (Billy Bob Thornton) is a barber living a life void of excitement, with a wife (Frances McDormand) who may or may not be cheating on him. This all changes when a traveling salesman offers the opportunity to get more bang out his buck.

Joel Coen won for Best Director at the 2001 Cannes International Film Festival, and I can see why, as the film looked good (delivered in black & white, it has an intentional film noir feel to it), but the pacing was just too slow. And it was quiet. Almost too quiet. Total silence.

Those who recognized that Fargo reference get a free fruitcake this Christmas.

No complaints about the cast, though. The grumpy Thornton was better than I expected, McDormand has a classical look that places her directly in the character's shoes and young Scarlett Johannsen is an absolute doll as the teenage piano-player that helps Thornton divert his attention from his problems. James Gandolfini is about the same in every role, it seems.

Tony Shalhoub, however, delivers the best performance as the arrogant, showy bit time attorney ("I litigate. I don't capitulate.") I've always liked Shalhoub - he has a lot of range.

So, while The Man Who Wasn't There was disappointing, it was nothing I'd overly scoff at, either.

The verdict:

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