There is a term invented by one of the best writers ever to create a gritty crime novel, Dashiell Hammett that aptly fits many of the characters in his stories; blood simple. Hammett coined it to describe a condition where prolonged exposure to violence reduces a person’s world view seeing no other solution that the use of excessive violence for any situation. The etiology of the condition can be expanded to a violence response to any protracted period of unreasonable stressors. It comes down to a plot motivation that I have always considered a personal favorite; the reasonable man responding to the most unreasonable of circumstances. There is currently a remake of one of the best cinematic examples of this mental state; ‘Straw Dogs’, which makes this the ideal time to consider other films employing this motivation. One of the most obvious is a movie from 1984 aptly titled, ‘Blood Simple’. It is one of the most well crafted examples of this sort of film as well as representative of how a neo-noir film should be made. This movie is excellent, a crime thriller hot on the heels of genre defining movies like ‘The Unusual Suspects’, and that is making quite a statement. Several years after the theatrical release there was a DVD edition of the director’s cut which has been hailed as one of the top thrillers by the exalted American Film Institute as well as earning a place on Bravo’s top scary movies. What brings this film to the forefront of attention is the new high definition release from MGM. There was a previous DVD of the director’s cut but now you can enjoy a taut thriller in Blu-ray. If this film is not already on your shelves use this opportunity to add a required movie for any serious film buff. In fact even if you have that now discontinued DVD this Blu-ray release is worth the investment. The greater contrast and resolution affords a new dimension to the film creating a dark and sinister mood even better than before. ‘Blood Simple’ delivers and will continue to do so even with repeated viewings. While there are many twists and unexpected turns that will captivate your attention the first time you watch it the film is so expertly made that it holds up even when you have seen it many times before. This alone allows the movie to transcend the genre it helped to define placing it squarely on any list of top films.

Texas bar owner Julian Marty (Dan Hedaya) is a suspicious man by nature. He is also not the type to take half measures when he feels he has been wronged. As such when he comes to have serious doubts about the fidelity of his wife, Abby (Frances McDormand) the more civilized solution of divorce is not high on his list of potential reactions. Certain that she is carrying on an affair with his bartender, Ray (John Getz) Marty, consigned to the role of cuckold husband is bent on obtaining concert proof before taking action. To this end he engages the services of private detective Loren Visser (M. Emmet Walsh) to follow them to the motel they use in their affair and photographically document their assignation so that he can call them to inform them their clandestine affair is out in the open. The next day Marty and Ray encounter each other at the bar and Ray, as expected, quits his job. Marty plans a fishing trip out of town to establish an alibi, necessary after hiring Visser to kill the lovers for a fee of $10,000. The double cross begins when Visser tries to convince Marty the deed was accomplished. With some photos plotting to kill Marty with Abby’s gun framing here and permitting him to make off with the cash. The plan comes apart when Marty survives only to be buried alive. The story continues beautifully with plots with plots and nefarious plans that backfire without warning.

This film is a turning point for the innovative people behind the camera. The writers and directors for this ground breaking film are the Cohen brothers, Ethan and Joel. They are widely and justifiably hailed as some of the most creative and sought after filmmaker on the scene today. Much of what have become their trademarks had its start in this their freshman opus. They are known for infusing a dark sense of humor into incredibly complex drama providing a pacing that begins to pull the audience in from the first frame not abating until the final credits roll past. Examples of this technique have result in Academy Award wins for ‘Fargo’ and ‘No Country for Old Men’. Not only has their distinctive directorial style garnered them many awards and nominations they are also highly lauded for their work as writers, producers and editors. A Cohen Brothers film ensures the audiences excellence and this film. ‘Blood Simple’ is where it all began. This film did more than kick start the illustrious career of the Cohen Brothers; their Directory of photography began an extremely successful career as a director after this movie, ‘Barry Sonnenfeld’. After bringing his genius as cinematographer to bear for a couple of movies directed by Rob Reiner, ‘Misery’ and ‘When Harry Met Sally’ Sonnenfeld’ would sit in the big chair for ‘Get Shorty’ and the popular ‘Men in Black’ franchise.

This film is gripping, able to quickly grab hold of the audience not letting go until the last credit has rolled. The acting is taut, the script remarkably right and the photography makes you feel you are in the middle of your favorite gritty detective story. this was one of the movies that put neo-noir on the cinematic map and should not be missed.