Through character development, and use of many genres the Coen Brothers have made their films appeal to people of all walks of life. You can experience all kinds of emotion from sitting through a single film. Their subtle use of dark humor makes the audience have a strange affection for the villain. The awards they have received were well deserved, and they continue to create films to appeal to many different people.

The cinematography that the Coen Brothers use is unique is many different ways. They frequently “hide” cuts by zooming in on something and zooming out to reveal a different scene. Moving camera shots of used a lot to follow a character and make you feel as if what they are doing is real. Another camera angle that emphasizes this feeling is the use of crane shots, or shots from above. They use visual embellishments to mark a turn of events or change of perspective that is meaningful to the plot of the movie. Bright lights or colors are used to make the audience remember this specific moment, even if the action is slowing down. They also use camera rushing to emphasize emotion, such as is Raising Arizona when Nathan Jr.’s mother learns of him missing.

The character development that the Coen Brothers use is different from many others movies of this time. Each character has a specific duty and purpose in the move. There are no pointless characters. The audience knows something unique and obscure about everyone who plays a part in the move, even if it is small. Even without that character speaking, you can learn so much about them. Their subtle humor comes out in the development of their characters. In many instances it is as if the villain can’t take himself seriously.

The Coen brothers use the American culture’s view on many things to makes points in their films. The exaggeration of stereotypes, accents, and landscapes are used to show the audience the flaws of our culture as a whole. Although theses aspects are not usually the focus of their movies they certainly play a role in what the film has to offer. In Burn After Reading one of the main characters Linda Litzke played by Francis McDorman is obsessive about getting plastic surgery. This obsession is what leads her to hold valuable information at ransom for money. Although her plastic surgery is not the main plot of the film, it shows how obsessive our society has become about “beauty”.

Several characters in The Coen Brother’s films are depicted as unstoppable evil. They are often talked about as ruthless and inhuman. The sheriff in O Brother Where Art Thou is described as devil like by one of the characters. In a very dark humorous way the villain often makes you laugh. There is many times a contrasting character, which tries to make sense of this evil in a calming manner.

Money and Dogs are often important in the Coen’s films. Dogs all knowing in many instances, they appear to understand what is going on in the plot. Money, like violence, seems to move the plot forward in many of their movies. In Fargo money is what leads all the events taking place. The Big Lebowski “the dude” is always in the middle of a money transaction. Burn after reading evolves blackmail money, as does The Man Who Wasn’t There. Characters are often put into the situations they are in by chance. In Burn After Reading and No Country for Old Men the main characters happen upon valuable information or money, which gets them into a tough situation.

Violence plays a large role in most of The Coen Brother’s movies. Many of the plots are unleashed by the death of a character, such as in The Hudsucker Proxy, or The Ladykillers. Though in several cases the violence is categorized as dark humor. The way the Coen brothers use violence is different from many other violent films. It is always used to drive the plot forward, there is no unnecessary violence.