Blood Simple
“The world is full of complainers. An' the fact is, nothin' comes with a guarantee. Now I don't care if you're the Pope of Rome, the President of the United States or Man of the Year, something can all go wrong. Now go on ahead, ya know, complain, tell your problems to your neighbor, ask for help, 'n watch 'im fly. Now, in Russia, they got it all mapped out so that everybody pulls for everybody else... that's the theory, anyway. But what I know about is Texas, an' down here... you're on your own.”
The film commences with a dark, almost remorseful, telling visually coordinated with shots of a long, unfruitful and deserted road in Texas. Soon after, characters will reside beneath threatening ceiling fans, which seem to forcefully view down upon the unfortunate. The camera focuses on doors, particularly at night time, heightening the blatant fear of who or what is lurking behind them. A blade of light slicing through the darkness underneath a door is snuffed out. An importance on the accessible Texas outdoors affects the film strongly, contrasted and juxtaposed with the boiling, clogged interiors in which people tussle. Shots of cowboy boots fill much of the picture. Blood is found on the ground frequently. Otherwise appropriate people make vastly ill-fated decisions. Blood Simple is a neo-noir crime thriller in which communication is troubled by circumstances and protection is deprived of due to the apparent intervention of fate. Characters move through the film like immobile objects pushed, as they are obliged to leave their relevant natural habitats. Following the film's dry and mystic opening recitation, Blood Simple brings its outlook, with Ray and Abby driving at night. Abby's first line illustrates where the picture's plot is headed: her overprotective husband gave her a .38 handgun as a gift, but she fears she would use it on him if she did not leave him. The camera remains behind Ray and Abby, he’s behind the steering wheel of his car...