The Man Who Wasn't There

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The Man Who Wasn't There

R

2001

1h 56m

Crime

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

81%

Tomatometer

159 Reviews

85%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

A dark tale of infidelity and murder, crime and punishment. Set in a small northern California town of the late 40s, the film portrays Ed Crane (Billy Bob Thornton), a barber dissatisfied with his life. His wife Doris' (Frances McDormand) infidelity presents Ed with an opportunity for blackmail that he thinks will help him to change it. However, Ed's scheme unravels and lays bare even darker secrets...

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Critics Consensus

Stylish but emotionally distant, The Man Who Wasn't There is a clever tribute to the film noir genre.

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Some mature themes--best for older teens.

Rated: 3/5

Dec 28, 2010

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Richard Schickel

TIME Magazine

Affectlessness is not a quality much prized in movie protagonists, but Billy Bob Thornton, that splendid actor, does it perfectly as Ed Crane.

Oct 13, 2009

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Todd McCarthy

Variety

The film holds the interest, to be sure, but more due to the sure sense of craft and precise effect that one expects from the Coens than from genuine involvement in the story.

Nov 7, 2007

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Andrew Collins

Radio Times

It's certainly on a par with Fargo, if a lot more demanding of a modern audience.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 19, 2025

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

... a devious melodrama of adultery, embezzlement, blackmail, and murder.

Apr 26, 2025

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Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

Like many films in the film noir genre, The Man Who Wasn't There would not work if it were released in color.

Rated: 3.5/5

Feb 22, 2024

Full Review

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Pam S

Wonderful piece of slow- burn noir. Just don't ask "why didn't Big Dave just get his money back from the shyster?" because I don't know either

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/07/25

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Rachel S.

Made me think about my own life and how insignificant one life is.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/01/25

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bob c

Really good black and white homage to 1940s noir movies. Billy Bob does Bogart/Garfield real good. Scarlett just ok before her nose job.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/24/25

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grain j

Slow movie, has promise to be thrilling near the first half but after that it seems kind of boring. My least favorite Coen brothers movie of the ones I have seen

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

09/11/25

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thiago s

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

08/28/25

Full Review

Isa B

This film is unique in just about every aspect. The black & white cinematography is beautiful. The characters are all very interesting, each in their own way. The acting is top notch from the entire cast. Ed Crane is a very observant guy. It was quite interesting living in his head for two hours. Billy Bob Thornton is so talented. James Gandolfini did a marvelous job as Big Dave. Frances McDormand was awesome as she always is. The young Scarlett Johansson was marvelous in her role as Birdy. This was before her big breakout role in Lost in Translation. Even as a young lady, she has always come across as so mature. She displays a certain confidence to any role she plays. Jon Polito was hilarious as Tolliver. I can't help but love this motion picture. It got my attention from the very first frame to the last. It is one of my favorite Coen Brothers films and one of my favorite films in general. I highly recommend this film. 91/100

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/14/25

Full Review

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Joel Coen

Director

Billy Bob Thornton

Ed

Frances McDormand

Doris

Michael Badalucco

Frank

James Gandolfini

Big Dave

Katherine Borowitz

Ann Nirdlinger

The Man Who Wasn't There: Official Clip - Freddy Reidenschneider

2:11

The Man Who Wasn't There: Official Clip - The Murder

3:18

The Man Who Wasn't There: Official Clip - Reasonable Doubt

2:54

The Man Who Wasn't There: Official Clip - It Stinks

3:41

The Man Who Wasn't There: Official Clip - An Enthusiast

2:41

The Man Who Wasn't There: Official Clip - A Diamond in the Rough

3:00

The Man Who Wasn't There: Official Clip - I Just Cut the Hair

2:05

The Man Who Wasn't There: Official Clip - The Ghost

2:26

The Man Who Wasn't There: Official Clip - A Blackmail Note

3:00

The Man Who Wasn't There: Official Clip - The End

2:05

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Synopsis

A dark tale of infidelity and murder, crime and punishment. Set in a small northern California town of the late 40s, the film portrays Ed Crane (Billy Bob Thornton), a barber dissatisfied with his life. His wife Doris' (Frances McDormand) infidelity presents Ed with an opportunity for blackmail that he thinks will help him to change it. However, Ed's scheme unravels and lays bare even darker secrets...

Director: Joel Coen
Producer: Ethan Coen
Screenwriter: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Distributor: USA Films
Production Co: Paramount
Rating: R (Scene of Violence)
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 31, 2001, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 14, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $7.5M
Runtime: 1h 56m
Sound Mix: Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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