Blood Simple
Crime, Thriller
Universal Studios  (1983) 96 mins R

7.8 (21,840 votes)
"The most inventive and original thriller in many a moon. A maliciously entertaining murder story." -David Ansen, Newsweek

This critically-acclaimed thriller set in rural Texas combines chilling suspense with offbeat humor to create an all-American version of the classic "film noir."

Abby (Frances McDormand) is cheating on her saloonkeeper husband, Marty (Dan Hedaya). The object of her affections is Ray (John Getz), one of Marty's bartenders. Marty hires Visser (M.Emmet Walsh), an unscrupulous detective, to kill them but Visser has other, more lucrative plans of his own. So begins a calculating round of double and triple crosses that build to a bloodcurdling, surprise-filled climax. It's an evil-minded masterpiece from the exciting team of Joel and Ethan Coen....

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Cast and Crew
Dan Hedaya  ......  Julian Marty
Frances McDormand  ......  Abby
John Getz  ......  Ray
M. Emmet Walsh  ......  Loren Visser
Samm-Art Williams  ......  Meurice
Deborah Neumann  ......  Debra
Director  .....  Joel Coen; Ethan Coen
Producer  .....  Ethan Coen; Daniel F. Bacaner; Joel Coen
Writer  .....  Ethan Coen; Joel Coen
Notes
Goofs:
Crew or equipment visible: Reflection of camera crane visible in a phone booth. (more)

Trivia:
Holly H had auditioned for the role of Abby, but turned it down because she was performing a play in New York at the same time. So she encouraged her roommate F McDormand to go and audition for the role. (more)

Filming Locations:
Austin, Texas, USA (more)

Quotes:
[first lines]
Private Detective Visser: [narrating] The world is full o' complainers. An' the fact is, nothin' comes with a guarantee. Now I don't care if you're the pope of Rome, President of the United States or Man of the Year; somethin' can all go wrong. Now go on ahead, y'know, complain, tell your problems to your neighbor, ask for help, 'n watch him fly. Now, in Russia, they got it mapped out so that everyone pulls for everyone else... that's the theory, anyway. But what I know about is Texas, an' down here... you're on your own.
(more)

Awards:
4 wins & 5 nominations (more)