2004 Black Comedy
film
Director: Ethan Coen & Joel Coen
Writer: Ethan Coen & Joel Coen
Cinematography: Roger
Deakins
Running time: 104
minutes
Country: United States
Tagline: The greatest
criminal minds of all time have finally met their match.
Cast:
Tom Hanks as G.H.
Dorr, Ph. D
Irma P. Hall as
Marva Munson
Tzi Ma as
"The General”
J. K. Simmons as
Garth Pancake
Marlon Wayans as
Gawain MacSam
Ryan Hurst as
Lump Hudson
Diane Delano as
Mountain Girl
George Wallace as
Sheriff Wyner
Stephen Root as
Mr. Gudge
Plot
An eccentric, if not charming
Southern professor and his crew pose as a band in order to rob a casino, all under
the nose of his unsuspecting landlord: a sharp old woman.
Awards:
- Black Reel-Best
Actress, Musical or Comedy-Irma P. Hall-Black Reel Awards
- Jury Prize-Irma P. Hall- Cannes
Film Festival
- Evening Standard British Film Award-Best
Technical/Artistic Achievement
Roger Deakins-Evening Standard British Film Awards
The portrait of Mrs. Marva
Munson's dead husband Othar is stationed over the fireplace. Throughout the
movie, Othar's visage in the portrait changes as the story unfolds. The
portrait appears to have the same stoic expression at the approximate time
stamps of 05:25, 33:20, and 01:07:22; however Othar's portrait is clearly
disapproving when shown at the 01:14:35 mark. After Mrs. Munson's ultimatum to
G.H. Dorr, Othar's portrait returns to its stoic visage at 01:15:15. At
01:27:58, when he fears for Mrs. Munson's safety, Othar's portrait's expression
reflects his surprise. At 01:29:44, Othar's portrait appears satisfied and
almost smiling. This was probably done in tribute to Preston Sturges'
"Sullivan's Travels" in which the portrait of Mr. Kornheiser's
expressions change. "Sullivan's Travels" was one of the inspirations
for The Coens' "O, Brother Where Art Thou".
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