# Favorite Coen brothers movie **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 29, 2009, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-coen-brothers-movie/512035 "2009-09-29T21:38:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-coen-brothers-movie/512035/21 "2009-09-30T02:03:26Z")
I watched _Blood Simple_ over the weekend, so I’ve now seen all their movies. I like a bunch of them, and I’d say seven of the 13 are great. But the winner is Lebowski. It’s not really close. Great performances from Bridges and Goodman, a confusing story that feels unique and familiar at the same time, and a hilarious script in which almost every line a potentially good quote. Quite possibly my favorite non-Marx Brothers movie, which would put it high in the running for my favorite worldwide. ---
**Author:** ![Mahna\_Mahna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e47c2d/32.png) [@Mahna\_Mahna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahna_Mahna)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-coen-brothers-movie/512035/22 "2009-09-30T02:10:09Z")
It’s pretty much a three way tie between _O Brother_, _The Big Lebowski_ and _The Hudsucker Proxy_… but if you back me into a corner and make me pick just one, I’ll have to go with Hudsucker. It’s just so sweet and earnest and shiny… and I love that about it. ETA: _Intolerable Cruelty_ is my least favourite. For those who mention upthread that they haven’t seen it yet, I’d say you can pretty safely skip it unless you’re a Coen purist and can’t stand the idea of leaving one movie unwatched. Otherwise, use that valuable time to watch one of the good ones over again. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-coen-brothers-movie/512035/23 "2009-09-30T02:12:58Z")
I have to admit I haven’t seen _The Big Lebowski_. I voted for _No Country for Old Men_, which was absolutely perfect. ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-coen-brothers-movie/512035/24 "2009-09-30T02:33:14Z")
Miller’s Crossing closely followed by the Dude. I just watched Burn After Reading on the weekend and could hardly sit through it. I’m really sick of the conceit of having incredibly (and I mean that in the sense of unbelievably) stupid people caught up in overwhelming events. It was interesting _once_ in Fargo, but then it just got old. ---
**Author:** ![elelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f0a364/32.png) [@elelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elelle)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-coen-brothers-movie/512035/25 "2009-09-30T02:34:02Z")
Almost impossible to choose, and why should ya have to? The Big Lebowski is kinda tops here, but I’ll cast the odd vote for Raising Arizona, because, at the time, it really changed the game for film. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-coen-brothers-movie/512035/26 "2009-09-30T02:50:51Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > I went for the Dude. Plenty of great stuff to say about the others but I can just settle into any scene in The Big Lebowski and feel satisfied. Definitely. Well said. I just saw _Intolerable Cruelty_ for the first time recently, and it was OK, had its moments, but was nowhere near the same league as _The Big Lebowski_. I was very disappointed by _Burn After Reading_, and although I know it’s a big fave of many, _Fargo_ just seemed like one loooong Minnesota joke to me (and no, I’m not from there). ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-coen-brothers-movie/512035/27 "2009-09-30T06:57:49Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > Missed: > > Miller’s Crossing > Barton Fink > The Hudsucker Proxy > The Man Who Wasn’t There > Intolerable Cruelty > The Ladykillers The latter two are missable. But the first four, especially _Miller’s Crossing_ and _Hudsucker_, are required viewing. Long Live the Hud! ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-coen-brothers-movie/512035/28 "2009-09-30T12:06:38Z")
I went with No Country but admittedly have only seen 3 in their entirety; that, Fargo and Arizona. It would appear I need to schedule a couple of dedicated movie weekends. ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-coen-brothers-movie/512035/29 "2009-09-30T12:47:39Z")
_The Ladykillers_ is worth watching just for Marlon Wayans. ---
**Author:** ![cdsilv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9adbd/32.png) [@cdsilv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cdsilv)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-coen-brothers-movie/512035/30 "2009-09-30T12:51:06Z")
Oh Brother definitely, but probably because of the music which brought back good memories of times at my grandparents in N. Ga. I liked Intolerable Cruelty & Ladykillers as well. Just watched Lebowski last weekend, and while ‘The dude abides’ is true, I don’t think it is the best. Still haven’t seen many of them but will as time allows. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-coen-brothers-movie/512035/31 "2009-09-30T12:57:08Z")
> [@Sigmagirl](#): > > _The Ladykillers_ is worth watching just for Marlon Wayans. You misspelled “J.K. Simmons”. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-coen-brothers-movie/512035/32 "2009-09-30T14:33:50Z")
It’s like asking me which of my children I love the most, but I picked _Fargo_, barely edging out _No Country_ and _O Brother_. I also love _Raising Arizona_ and _Hudsucker Proxy_. Damn you for making me choose! ---
**Author:** ![Terraplane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/74df32/32.png) [@Terraplane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terraplane)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-coen-brothers-movie/512035/33 "2009-09-30T15:19:56Z")
I love Fargo, O’ Brother was great, and No Country was amazing, but The Big Lebowski is still my easy favorite. It’s just perfect. ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-coen-brothers-movie/512035/34 "2009-09-30T15:45:29Z")
What I love about _Burn After Reading_ is that the stupid stuff people do in that movie is so clearly a parody of so many other thrillers, where the leads do comparably (or even more) stupid stuff concerning which we’re expected to suspend disbelief by ignoring how stupid some of what they’re doing is. This leads inexplicably to contrived suspense and unbelievable heroism. _Casino Royale_, I’m looking at you. In _Burn After Reading_, the suspense is entirely a result of their stupidity–in fact, there are no overwhelming events, just a lot of bad choices, some large, most kinda small. J.K. Simmons’ character is what sells the movie for me. His reaction to the events as they unfold is just priceless. In any case, _Burn After Reading_ in my opinion is another Coen bros film that improves after more than one viewing, as _Big Lewbowski_ did for me as well. _Lady Killers_ is the most skippable Coen bros film, in part because the original (with Alec Guinness, etc.) is so much funnier, imo. I stand by the dude, as he abides, though. That’s my favorite. \*I did enjoy _Casino Royale_, even though so much of it is so very dumb. No, it’s plot is in no way similar, other than the aforementioned dumb decisions part. ---
**Author:** ![Chopper9760](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cdc98d/32.png) [@Chopper9760](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chopper9760)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-coen-brothers-movie/512035/35 "2009-09-30T17:26:40Z")
Great poll! Must update Netflix queue posthaste. I went with _The Big Lebowski_ but I have a major soft spot for _Raising Arizona,_ it was the first movie I saw in a theater. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-coen-brothers-movie/512035/36 "2009-09-30T17:37:51Z")
I picked _Fargo_ almost at random. On another day it might have been any of _Miller’s Crossing_, _The Big Lebowski_, _O Brother…_ or _No Country for Old Men_. That’s the first tier, with _Barton Fink_, _The Man Who Wasn’t There_, _Raising Arizona_ and _Blood Simple_ running very, very close behind them - all great films as well. _Hudsucker Proxy_ is good, standing by its lonesome a hair behind the others. _Burn After Reading_ had its moments, but was ultimately disappointing. Haven’t seen _Intolerable Cruelty_ or their remake of the _The Ladykillers_. ---
**Author:** ![JohnM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/848f3c/32.png) [@JohnM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnM)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-coen-brothers-movie/512035/37 "2009-09-30T18:16:33Z")
Went with _Fargo_, but depending on the day of the week, cosmic rays and my general mood, I could have easily chosen _The Big Lebowski_, _No Country for Old Men_, _Raising Arizona_, _O Brother Where Art Thou_, _Miller’s Crossing_ or _Barton Fink_. I’ve seen all of their movies, and am of the firm opinion that poor Coen Brothers (I’m looking at you, _Ladykillers_ and _Intolerable Cruelty_) is still better than most directors make on their best days. Speaking of the Dude, I just attended my first ever Lebowski Fest in Philly last weekend. For any locals who didn’t attend, the movie was at The Electric Factory, and bowling/costume judging/trivia was at North Bowl in Nolibs. Had a blast both places, and the beer was a lot cheaper at North Bowl. **QtM** , was this poll inspired by the new movie this weekend? We’ll definitely be seeing _A Serious Man_ sometime over the weekend. ---
**Author:** ![Translucent\_Daydream](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/translucent_daydream/32/16170_2.png) [@Translucent\_Daydream](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Translucent_Daydream)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-coen-brothers-movie/512035/38 "2009-09-30T19:30:21Z")
I don’t know if you guys have ever done this or not, but there is a drinking game for “The Big Lebowski”. Pretty much, its a liver killer, but if you can get through the game (I have with beer) you are a god/goddess among men/women/others. You drink everytime: The Dude gets mad Someone says a cuss word (anything you wouldn’t say to your boss’s boss) Anytime someone says “Donnie” You will have to pause the movie a couple times to catch up, but you can pull it off. Its doable. I have done it. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-coen-brothers-movie/512035/39 "2009-09-30T22:30:30Z")
> [@JohnM](#): > > **QtM** , was this poll inspired by the new movie this weekend? We’ll definitely be seeing _A Serious Man_ sometime over the weekend. No, it was inspired by the “O Brother” discussion thread in CS. I didn’t even realize their next flick was that close to release! Is it getting any decent reviews? \<\\> ETA: 79%! ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-coen-brothers-movie/512035/40 "2009-09-30T23:52:25Z")
> [@Translucent\_Daydream](#): > > I don’t know if you guys have ever done this or not, but there is a drinking game for “The Big Lebowski”. > Pretty much, its a liver killer, but if you can get through the game (I have with beer) you are a god/goddess among men/women/others. > You drink everytime: > > The Dude gets mad > Someone says a cuss word (anything you wouldn’t say to your boss’s boss) > Anytime someone says “Donnie” > > You will have to pause the movie a couple times to catch up, but you can pull it off. Its doable. I have done it. That’s silly. The only sensible Big Lebowski drinking game is, every time The Dude has a White Russian, you have a White Russian. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-coen-brothers-movie/512035.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-coen-brothers-movie/512035.md?page=3)