Coen Brothers Shrug Off Criticism From Cinema Icons
The Coen brothers take industry criticism in their stride, responding to negative feedback from figures like Jean-Luc Godard with wit and perspective.
When you’ve made a name for yourself in the world of film like the Coen brothers, it’s hard to imagine any sort of critique rattling you, even if it comes from some of the most respected names in the business. With a legacy as hefty as theirs, it’s only natural that the positive feedback tends to drown out the odd bit of negativity. Plenty of folks have sung their praises, from the way they run a set to the unique flavour of their storytelling.
Angelina Jolie, for one, has pointed out the variety in their work, saying,
“One can be so full of humour, and the next can be so frightening, but you always know going into a Coen brothers movie that it’ll be something special.”
That sort of sentiment is pretty common, but, as with any creative types, not everyone’s going to be a fan.
Not Everyone’s a Fan
Some critics, like author Geoff Dyer, find their style a bit much, especially when it comes to their sense of humour. Dyer once remarked,
“When I’m in a Coen brothers film, in a cinema, I’m surrounded by all of these people laughing their heads off, and I’m sitting there stone-faced.”
He’s not alone—there’s a growing list of people who just don’t get what all the fuss is about. But when the brothers discovered that Jean-Luc Godard was among their detractors, they didn’t seem too fussed. Their approach to negative press is to take it on the chin, often with a bit of a laugh.
Ethan Coen shared in an interview,
“We just found out that Jean-Luc Godard really hates our movies!”
He went on to joke,
“Too bad Luis Buñuel didn’t live longer. It would be interesting to hear that Buñuel hates our movies too. Or what about Pier Paolo Pasolini?”
Taking Criticism in Stride
Joel Coen recalled a time when Jim Jarmusch apparently called their films ‘Spielbergian’, which led to a bit of banter between the brothers. Joel told Ethan,
“It’s interesting because, since you heard about the Godard thing, you’ve been obsessed with all the people who’ve dissed you. And Jim probably didn’t even mean it! Well, yes, he meant it as a little bit of slap, but he probably regrets it.”
It’s clear that while they’re usually happy to let things slide, sometimes the feedback from big names does get under their skin, even if only for a moment.
It’s understandable, really. When you’re operating at their level, you’re bound to cop a bit of flak, especially from other heavyweights in the industry. And when someone compares your work to another director’s, like Spielberg, it’s hard to know if it’s meant as a compliment or a bit of a dig.
Subjective Tastes and Industry Banter
For filmmakers of their calibre, criticism is just part of the territory. Even the harshest reviews often boil down to personal taste and different ideas about how stories should be told. The Coens seem to recognise that, and their dry humour helps them keep things in perspective. Whether it’s a backhanded compliment or a flat-out sledge, they’re not letting it derail their work or their reputation.