Blood Simple

A real film noir for the Eighties. There probably hasn't been a thriller as minimal as this since Detour in 1945. But director Joel Coen, making an impact with his very first film, has taken the accepted elements of adulterous couple, vengeful, dislikeable husband and corruptible private eye and moved them slowly and deliberately towards their own destinies. Blood is black, fear and agony are real.

You may doze off in the exposition, but you'll sure as hell stay awake for the climax, as the story moves inexorably towards its pre-planned conclusion.

M Emmet Walsh, after years of tiny and largely unrewarding roles, is brilliant as the wholly seedy Texas private eye whose perfect crime turns sour. An impressive first feature, if a shade too calculated to make the topmost bracket.