The Coen Brothers [Paperback]

"Why do you want to write a biography of us ? ... we're boring" was Joel Coen's initial response to Ronald Bergan. He has a point. Choking on his kir in disbelief that they have never heard of Kieslowski, this former chronicler of the lives of Jean Renoir and Sergei Eisenstein might not seem ideally suited to writing about two fans of Doris Day musicals and the comedies of Cheech and Chong. That the book remains so readable is due to Bergan's style, highly critical but, like the films covered, irreverent bordering on rudeness. Never over-cerebral, Bergan has clearly done his research as he covers their output from the earliest remakes ("Lassie Come Home" as "Ed ... A Dog") to "O Brother Where Art Thou?" The brothers themselves, chain smokers who pepper their dialogue with "heh-heh"s, come across as Smart and Smarter. Joey Ramone lookalike Joel loves dog movies whereas Ethan is an outrageous sentimentalist. The Coen Brothers is not the ideal introduction for newcomers, nor for particularly sensitive fans, but for those who enjoyed, or were bemused by, Cheshire and Ashbrook's quirkier guide to the weird and wonderful Coen Brothers, this is a good follow up --Stephen Portlock --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

'The background information on each film is stunning ... THE COEN BROTHERS is a must for any self-respecting Coen fan.' (SCREENTRADE ) --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Flamboyant visual style, richly conceived characters, crisp dialogue and brilliant casting - Joel and Ethan Coen have pulled off the ultimate balancing act. Despite having their movies financed and distributed by major studios, they have somehow managed to remain true independents, rejecting commercial cliches, and never giving up on their own fiercely idiosyncratic vision. From their startling noir debut, Blood Simple to the cons-on-the-run comedy O Brother, Where Art Thou?, all their movies reveal a distinctive stamp. In this first ever biography of the sibling film-makers, Ronald Bergan traces the brothers' Jewish roots, their beginnings as film geeks in the suburbs of Minneapolis, their battles to get their first feature made and released. It is a fascinating portrait of the most imaginative, original, successful writer/director filmmakers to have emerged in the last twenty years.

Reviews
'Well researched and entertaining' Financial Times

'Ronald Bergan brings out the good humour and eccentricity of the Coens and their films' The Economist

'Good on the techinical aspects, the author also meticulously details references' The Observer

'The best assessment to date, you'll discover all the relevant themes and variations in the life and work of this dynamic duo' Flicks

'The biogrpahy paints an interesting and comprehensive picture of the Coens and their work...essential reading' Hot Dog --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Ronald Bergan is one of the world's best-known writers on film. He contributes to The Guardian and The Independent and has written numerous TV documentaries which have been broadcast all over the world. His books have been widely praised on both sides of the Atlantic.