[8]

The Coen Brothers broke onto the film scene with this claustrophobic mystery/thriller featuring Frances McDormand, John Getz, and Dan Hedaya in a murderous love triangle. M. Emmet Walsh complicates matters for all of them as a hitman for hire. The concept is simple, but mined for every ounce it’s worth — just how hard is it to kill someone? Everything you love about the Coens is right here in picture number one — masterful direction, well-built suspense, a dark sense of humor (especially at the end), and solid performances from quirky character actors.