Directors: Joel and Ethan Coen
Stars: Liam Neeson, Tom Waits, Tim Blake Nelson, Tyne Daley
8/10
This is a six-part anthology available on Netflix. I add parenthetically that there’s probably more interesting material on services like Netflix and Amazon Prime than in first-run theaters.
The first episode is a satire of the singing cowboy/crack marksman westerns of the 30s and 40s. The rest, however, are dark looks at western myths that tell of tragedy and betrayal. In that respect, the film picks up a theme in the Coen Bothers’ remake of True Grit which turns the original with the Duke on its head by asking, how could anyone think a young girl would not be badly affected by so much death and horror. The light-hearted first episode might ask how could an affable, musical shootist not meet with a bad ending. The final episode seems to have a supernatural aspect.
Most stories are told with little dialog. The camera carries the load. The cinematography and sets are excellent, the lighting phenomenal.
© 2018 Brian M Downing
Brian M Downing is a national security analyst who’s written for outlets across the political spectrum. He studied at Georgetown University and the University of Chicago, and did post-graduate work at Harvard’s Center for International Affairs. Thanks as ever to Susan Ganosellis.