Coen Brothers: Unserious Characters in Serious Situations

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  • Опубліковано 19 чер 2024
  • The Coen Brothers are some of the greatest filmmakers of all time. In this video, we explore some of the themes throughout the Coen Brothers' comedy movies. It examines, 'The Big Lebowski', 'Fargo', and 'Burn After Reading'. the genius of the Coen Brothers lies in who they cast as the protagonist of their story.
    Most movies about abduction or CIA files are sinister, dark, thrillers, yet the Coens have put unserious characters in serious situations.
    PATREON: / justanobservation
    FAIR USE NOTICE:
    Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made "fair use" for the purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research.
    Timestamps:
    0:00 Introduction
    0:36 Protagonist Choice
    3:00 Blinded by their Goal
    4:19 Unserious People in Serious Situations
    6:23 Character Influences
    8:16 Belief vs Reality
    Music:
    'Tracktribe' by Greaser
    'Don't Look Inside' by Biz Baz Studio
    'ChaCha Fontanez' by Jimmy Fontanez (Media Right Productions)
    'Dance of the U-boat' by Aakash Gandhi
    'Cha Capella' by Jimmy Fontanez (Media Right Productions)
    'Chase' by David Fesliyan (License obtained by Fesliyan Studios)
    'Gaiety in the Golden Age' by Aaron Kenny
    'BoogieBounce' by Drew Banga
    'Bill Higley' by Mini Vandals
    'Cooper Ave' by The Westerlies
    'Empire Seasons' by Dan Henig
    #biglebowski #fargo #burnafterreading
  • Розваги

КОМЕНТАРІ • 113

  • @rhetiq9989
    @rhetiq9989 3 роки тому +112

    I’m a simple man. I see the dude in the thumbnail, I click.

    • @CMl8r
      @CMl8r 3 роки тому +5

      The dude abides...man!

  • @mankytoes
    @mankytoes 3 роки тому +96

    I'm glad you included Burn After Reading, obviously Lebowski and Fargo are classics but it's hilarious too.

    • @benstyman7792
      @benstyman7792 3 роки тому +6

      Yeah, it’s seriously under appreciated

  • @MrZomBie775
    @MrZomBie775 3 роки тому +59

    "All the Dude ever wanted... was his rug back."

    • @LostOneOmega
      @LostOneOmega 3 роки тому +6

      It tied the room together

    • @TomEyeTheSFMguy
      @TomEyeTheSFMguy 2 роки тому +1

      @@LostOneOmega Did it not.

    • @Jimmyholydays
      @Jimmyholydays 2 роки тому +1

      It tied the room together.
      Le daba ambiente a la habitación.

    • @Sevatar_VIIIth
      @Sevatar_VIIIth Рік тому

      ​@@LostOneOmega "It did tie the room together did it not?"

  • @DaWoWzer
    @DaWoWzer 3 роки тому +68

    it's nice every once and while to be able to be youtube channel hipster and be able to pull the "i was there when they were only at 1k subs" card

  • @jlupus8804
    @jlupus8804 2 роки тому +11

    This makes me realize: their world is dark, but not nihilistic as some suggest. There’s always bigger things at work in the world, but your choices still matter; so never take your opportunities for granted.

  • @arthurkassabian2528
    @arthurkassabian2528 3 роки тому +37

    Excellent video essay. I love how the Coen brothers take old movie genres, like the Screwball comedy and film Noir and reinvent them in a very contemporary way without seeming overly pastiche or a pretentious, contrived throwback. More pertinent to this discussion, by placing unserious people in serious situations they up the stakes to the Nth degree giving the comedy very dark undertones. The characters can be described as people, usually categorized as an amalgam of character tropes, who attempt to venture out of their comfort zone, only to bite of more then they can chew leading to drama. The Fargo series encapsulates this perfectly too.

  • @kaptaink1182
    @kaptaink1182 3 роки тому +60

    I haven’t watched this yet but I just want to say you are doing a fantastic job with all your videos. I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before you take off, the videos all look very professional and are really entertaining. I hope you keep this up because you seem to be fantastic at it.

  • @jlupus8804
    @jlupus8804 2 роки тому +5

    1. The main characters are taken from one genre and thrown into another
    2. Almost Every character doesn’t see the big picture because their goals blind them (like money or power)- forgetting consequences or the people around them
    3. Taking the unserious and making them serious (due to the incompetence or ignorance of other characters)
    4. The “good” people don’t realize what they’re doing is bad, influenced by their social circles (sometimes dumb, sometimes proud, sometimes nonexistence)
    5. The characters’ beliefs are juxtaposed with a hit by reality
    6. The worlds all collide in the end
    So good

  • @blondefisk
    @blondefisk 3 роки тому +12

    I adore Brad Pitts performance in Burn After Reading

    • @RavenScherazade
      @RavenScherazade Рік тому +1

      It took me a bit the first time watching his character's death to stop laughing. Brad Pitt's face just cracked me up so hard... omg, fond memory of that movie. 🤣

  • @LeRoySlim
    @LeRoySlim 3 роки тому +14

    These are all so fantastic.
    I'm going to binge your vids tonight

    • @residentelect
      @residentelect 3 роки тому +1

      Did the exact same thing when I happened upon his channel.
      Had some major nostalgia hits thanks to his content, but it has also awoken a new respect for the subject/media he breaks down, and inspired me to learn more about what goes into the creation of the things I actually enjoy, and previously invested my time in, instead of just mindlessly sweeping through bland, unoriginal content which I normally only click on to act as background noise while I do something else.
      Best of luck throwing yourself down the rabbit hole buddy! You're gonna love it 👍

  • @jaksonhope4371
    @jaksonhope4371 2 роки тому +2

    Just found your channel randomly. Love it!

  • @CaptainDog87
    @CaptainDog87 3 роки тому +6

    Ok, now you better do each movie. I'm rooting for you and will share.

  • @kevinrhea7332
    @kevinrhea7332 3 роки тому +9

    🔥Raising Arizona🔥

  • @michaelmcinerney1425
    @michaelmcinerney1425 3 роки тому +10

    You just keep on delivering. Great vids, man. Keep up the awesome work!

  • @lucasmarinho1154
    @lucasmarinho1154 3 роки тому +4

    I always "think" the same thing when i watch one of their movies but never managed to put it in words, thank you! And your channel is amazing keep it up!

  • @shemjeffs2953
    @shemjeffs2953 8 місяців тому +2

    Brad Pitt doing that looming dumb smile as he gets shot in the face is one of the funniest things in any Coen brothers movie

  • @zac9297
    @zac9297 3 роки тому +4

    Love your videos. The ideas unfold in an undeniably engaging way, combined with a soothing but matter-of-fact voice and quick but not adhd editing.... subbed, keep it up and you'll have a large audience soon enough 👌

  • @sorcgsdf
    @sorcgsdf 3 роки тому +5

    With these kind of videos I can imagine that you'll be going places real soon! Subscribed.

  • @melissas7980
    @melissas7980 2 роки тому +1

    Great movies! Great channel! Here's to keeping the algorithm satisfied!

  • @choppinheads8474
    @choppinheads8474 3 роки тому

    Loving the videos

  • @coryomalley3582
    @coryomalley3582 3 роки тому +1

    I just subscribed the other day and I'm glad I did. Great content!

  • @phuncc
    @phuncc 3 роки тому +3

    hell yes dude. you've gained a new sub

  • @HeyCupertino
    @HeyCupertino 3 роки тому +9

    Chad from Burn After Reading is such a hilarious character.

    • @HeyCupertino
      @HeyCupertino 3 роки тому

      ua-cam.com/video/AnVrA6jdwac/v-deo.html

  • @camillaaston2495
    @camillaaston2495 3 роки тому +1

    Very fascinating observations

  • @commanderkruge
    @commanderkruge 3 роки тому +3

    Waitwhat? How can it be that I've never seen another Cohen Brothers movie except for Lebowski?!? I love that one, know the others have great reviews too but simply never got to them. Your video here just reminded me of this blunder once again! :D

  • @brothershamus1160
    @brothershamus1160 3 роки тому +1

    ‘You see what happens Larry!!’

  • @mannyrodriguez7948
    @mannyrodriguez7948 2 роки тому +1

    New Subscriber lots of elements keep up the good work 👏

  • @johnthebaptist9828
    @johnthebaptist9828 Рік тому +1

    Great video

  • @booboo21045
    @booboo21045 3 роки тому +3

    Great analysis! Really loved this and the simpsons video

  • @pablodmdp
    @pablodmdp 3 роки тому

    Impecable video. Good job with the music, man

  • @MegaZzZeux
    @MegaZzZeux 3 роки тому

    Good stuff! Keep up the good work!

  • @Gordon.Pinkerton
    @Gordon.Pinkerton 3 роки тому +6

    I've watched this and your Joker video, I think I've seen enough to like and subscribe. Looking forward to watching more

  • @perceivedvelocity9914
    @perceivedvelocity9914 3 роки тому +2

    I just subscribed. Your videos are very interesting.

  • @00fgytduydrtu
    @00fgytduydrtu 3 роки тому +6

    I have watched all of your videos,you are fucking amazing,keep the good work!!!

    • @JustanObservation
      @JustanObservation  3 роки тому

      Thank you Doctor!

    • @00fgytduydrtu
      @00fgytduydrtu 3 роки тому

      @@JustanObservation you are one of those channels you think has like 100k but then you look a the views and comments and you are in utter sock

    • @JustanObservation
      @JustanObservation  3 роки тому

      Haha well it’s only been 3.5 months so it’ll take time

  • @Jessie_Bee
    @Jessie_Bee 3 роки тому

    Hey just wanted to say I found your videos today and immediately subscribed! I hope your channel to gains more traction because I think you deserve it and your content is awesome!

  • @lemsrache8377
    @lemsrache8377 3 роки тому +2

    Very good video. The "Joe Average in a James Bond scenario" shtick is nothing new, but the Coen brothers really know how to drive that one out of the ballpark.

  • @callmetony4399
    @callmetony4399 3 роки тому +2

    Even in there serious movies they do this. In no country for old men almost everyone outside moss, Anton, Carson and the sheriff is depicted as completely out of there element and used for dark comedy and tragedy. Both moss and Anton run into people while injured, a group of young adults and a couple of kids respectively, and both times they make a sharp contrast to the main hero but also only start interacting with there world when offered money and both act greedy.

  • @kyzill
    @kyzill 3 роки тому +4

    I'm in here before this channel blows up, 100k subs ez

  • @HolbrookStark
    @HolbrookStark 3 роки тому +4

    I'm working on a kid friendly remake of the big lebowski where the Dude is a pug and the wheelchair Lebowski is a bulldog and Brandt is a golden retriever and Walter is a dachsund and Donny is a cat and the Dude's landlord is a greyhound and Bunny is a poodle and the Jesus is an Afghan hound and the cop in Malibu is a chihuahua and all the other characters are other breeds of dog but it's not fully kid friendly because we finna use the audio from the original movie

    • @residentelect
      @residentelect 3 роки тому +1

      Dude... That sounds fucking _EPIC!_
      Edit:
      Now, pass along whatever the hell it is you're smokin' on and tell me more... _Much_ _much_ MORE!!!

    • @HolbrookStark
      @HolbrookStark 3 роки тому

      @@residentelect the movie now opens with a pug getting jumped by a small nihilist crew consisting of a bull terrier, an akita, and a boxer dog. "Oh come on, not on my fucking rug" he tells them. When they shove his head in the water of his own toilet, he acts very nonchalant about it joking around like "I'm sure your money's in there somewhere let me take another look." What this tells us about the main character is that because he's a pug he can't reach the toilet water and he's happy for some help drinking from the toilet

    • @HolbrookStark
      @HolbrookStark 3 роки тому

      @@residentelect donny is just a random misfit cat who hangs out with dogs so he's out of his fuckin element throughout the whole movie

    • @HolbrookStark
      @HolbrookStark 3 роки тому

      @@residentelect I don't know if we can get voice acting and sound editing high quality enough to do this but ideally the big man when they meet he's like "the pugs lost, Mr. Lebowski! The pugs will always lose!"

    • @HolbrookStark
      @HolbrookStark 3 роки тому

      @@residentelect the pug's best friend is a dachsund who did not see friends die face down in the muck in Vietnam just for you to kick him out of your little diner. He's a feisty little guy

  • @superdani152003
    @superdani152003 2 роки тому +1

    "oh yeah?" love their movies!❤

  • @alexrawlings541
    @alexrawlings541 3 роки тому +1

    Stop making such consistently incredible videos please

  • @Hates-handle
    @Hates-handle 3 роки тому +2

    Subbed

  • @namewitheld2568
    @namewitheld2568 3 місяці тому

    Raising Arizona...still kust kills me. "Mind his little fontanelle"

  • @JanyaK
    @JanyaK 3 роки тому +1

    These flicks look interesting. Wish I could see their names as in list here 🙃🙃

  • @SpotCam
    @SpotCam 3 роки тому

    this was a great video man! I'm gonna go watch Burn After Reading now for the first time!! P.s. Have u got a discord?

  • @kiraflash4596
    @kiraflash4596 Місяць тому

    Raising Arizona was also a fever dream. And I still don’t get what A Serious Man was even about.🧐

  • @whywhy4604
    @whywhy4604 3 роки тому +3

    Hey man, What happened to your eyes wide shut video? It was so well made. I was here to watch it again. Please share alternate link 🙏
    Edit: Can someone help me out? Any help is really appreciated.

  • @easykiddysniper
    @easykiddysniper 9 місяців тому +1

    Could you analyze Lorne Malvo from Fargo season 1 please. It must be a great video.

  • @bigt4135
    @bigt4135 3 роки тому +2

    Amazing movies

  • @profoundpronoun4712
    @profoundpronoun4712 Рік тому +1

    The dude is the best character ever. Ever.

  • @williams7713
    @williams7713 3 роки тому +1

    You could have talked About buster Scruggs also he seems the same a light and happy character in a dark time

  • @Chibekoe
    @Chibekoe 3 роки тому +3

    In this age of COVID and the economic recession we are in, it makes me appreciate The Dude that much more!

  • @kevinmcqueenie7420
    @kevinmcqueenie7420 Рік тому +1

    No love for “The man who wasn’t there” again? A sadly overlooked movie.

    • @TomEyeTheSFMguy
      @TomEyeTheSFMguy Рік тому +1

      I mean, there's no love for a majority of their films here. Only three movies are focused on here.

  • @h_nt_r
    @h_nt_r 3 роки тому +2

    Then there’s every single Disney production regarding Star Wars and Marvel who just shoehorn cringe halfassed comedic dialogue into everything

  • @robkunkel8833
    @robkunkel8833 7 місяців тому

    Liked … subscribed … comment 〰️ The audience always knows that the protagonist(s) are destined for doom.

  • @charlesrobles1561
    @charlesrobles1561 3 роки тому +1

    ya got me

  • @fatcabin
    @fatcabin 3 роки тому

    friend.

  • @mjolninja9358
    @mjolninja9358 3 роки тому +2

    What about No Country for Old Men

    • @TomEyeTheSFMguy
      @TomEyeTheSFMguy Рік тому

      I'm pretty sure this is more about comedies than anything serious.

  • @the_marjorie
    @the_marjorie 3 місяці тому

    Especially fine when you figure that Lebowski was based on the noir detective novel “Big Sleep” in which the main character looking for the rich fella’s loved one is, in fact, a hard-boiled veteran PI of the genre. So to “cast” an unemployed loser in the same story is a great twist!

  • @elijhv
    @elijhv 3 роки тому

    plz make more vids

  • @svenleeuwen
    @svenleeuwen 3 роки тому +1

    Well, that's just like your opinion man.

  • @darioscomicschool1111
    @darioscomicschool1111 Рік тому +1

    ....well... you know...That's just like....your opinion mahhhhn...

  • @michael6478
    @michael6478 3 роки тому

    Here, have some engagement

  • @vineethudda269
    @vineethudda269 2 роки тому +3

    Well, that's just your opinion man.

  • @bryanwhelan351
    @bryanwhelan351 3 роки тому

    Serious Man though....

  • @user-zj2kp7mm7x
    @user-zj2kp7mm7x 3 роки тому +1

    Well. You were analysing characters and stuff, but what I got from this was the Coen brothers have a bit of a fetish for abducting wives.

  • @MrEllahrairah
    @MrEllahrairah 3 роки тому +1

    Never been a Coen bros. fan. They arent bad movies, but they are just dull with some clever quotables. I had a boss that would have 'movie nights' which really was just him playing Coen bros. movies, so Ive trudged my way through them a couple times. Interesting perspectives though. Ill keep it in mind if I ever rewatch them. It might put an interesting spin on them.

    • @TomEyeTheSFMguy
      @TomEyeTheSFMguy 2 роки тому +1

      Honestly, I could never see them as dull.

  • @leoa155
    @leoa155 3 роки тому +2

    Great Video! You got determinism kinda wrong tho. I think Determinism actually means to think there is no free will at all. Having your decisions influenced by your Surroundings is either compatibalism, when its about free will, or materialism, when its about society and its economic Basis.
    Still glad I found your channel tho, keep it Up my Dude.

    • @JustanObservation
      @JustanObservation  3 роки тому +3

      I know, the definition I read was a dictionary definition. But my point was that due to the characters and their social circle being who they are, they would all influence one another in predictable ways so that you essentially have no free will (as those surrounding influencers also have no free will in how they interpret and react to events). So the outcome is pre-destined. You have the illusion of free will, but based on who you are and your experiences, you are geared to react a specific way. That was my intention, I perhaps failed if it came across as just being influenced.

  • @bigt4135
    @bigt4135 3 роки тому +1

    I just want some easy money so I don’t have to get a job too.

  • @dashidobrown8745
    @dashidobrown8745 2 роки тому +1

    skippety doo

  • @subodhmandya7212
    @subodhmandya7212 3 роки тому

    Patrick Bateman please

  • @nosubsnovids5986
    @nosubsnovids5986 2 роки тому +1

    taco

  • @furbyhasteeth
    @furbyhasteeth 3 роки тому

    Rug

  • @benquinney2
    @benquinney2 3 роки тому

    Lightning
    Bf109
    Natter

  • @ryanblackmore2526
    @ryanblackmore2526 3 роки тому

    what your describing when you say determinism is actually compatibilism, in determinism it isn't just the influence of surrounding circumstances its fully determinative, so there are no choices, its fully cause and effect.

  • @sergiom.a.1236
    @sergiom.a.1236 3 роки тому +1

    The meme of America being guns and fast food is partially wrong.
    Is also, mostly, good intentions

    • @JustanObservation
      @JustanObservation  3 роки тому +1

      Of course, it’s many things, these are just identifiable differences