The Coen Brothers in conversation with Megan Abbott

Joel and Ethan Coen discuss their love for film noir and its impact on their work with author Megan Abbott.
For educational purposes only. Non-commercial purposes.

[@artysri6675]

Wow, the Coens can talk, they just need the right person. Thank you for this brilliant interview.

[@thepaleprinceofruins9203]

They can talk, but like David Lynch, they refuse to out of artistic reasons because people want them to explain their movies, and they refuse to do the job of their audience.

[@Elassyahmed]

I was just thinking the same

[@bmandrakeeee8378]

she was clearly prepared, instead of Guillermo del Toro bsting through, and trying to talk more than them. Or Charlie Rose, being a professional dunce

[@homesickNovalis]

God bless Megan Abbott.. so refreshing to see an interview with these two geniuses where the interviewer can hold their own, and make it fun for them too. Loved this🙏🙏

[@barbarapettry6817]

She is truly Amazing. I love that she is a Reader and knows both the books and the movies!! Very Refreshing Indeed!!!🏆👏

[@craigdoyle9039]

I remember when I saw Miller's Crossing and when the film was over, and the screen suddenly went black with the credits "Written and Directed by Joel and Ehtan Coen", j umped to my feet and spontaneously applauded. Astonishing film.

[@DivinuZ]

Amazing interview. So satisfying to see the interviewer being appropriately engaged and aware such that the Brothers got genuinely engaging and feel interested. So good!

[@StanMan-ws9bs]

It's not an interview

[@markytolcher6831]

only 2k views is criminal, treasure trove of an interview!

[@theshrubberer]

inverse law of quality to views in social media ...sad

[@tunnelwear3520]

This is a good thing

[@krystal2157]

This is a wonderful interview. They are absolutely the kind of team that needs just the right king of interviewer. They’re all playing very well off of each other, and the views on this gem are criminally low. But people like us will dig for the good stuff!

[@michaelcolahan2218]

Fantastic Interview. Abbott displayed a masterful approach and this turned into a wonderful conversation. My personal favorite of their films. Was so happy to find this.

[@benwherlock9869]

I've been watching their films since Miller's Crossing. What a wonderful journey it has been.

[@theshrubberer]

great conversation ..wish it were 2 hours. Excellent collaboration and preparation by Megan

[@FrancoisDressler]

One of the best Coens interviews.

[@nitrousnine]

Best interview with these guys that I have seen. "Miller's Crossing" is one of my favorite movies. Thanks!

[@chemistryset1]

I've never seen Megan Abbott in action before, but she gives a lot of herself and in turn extracts more than usual from the Coens; great interview!

[@Jeremy252]

If you can get a genuine smile out of Joel then you know you're good at what you do.

[@user-wh4lx9by2o]

Of the countless interviews I've seen of the Coen Brothers, this is by FAR the best. Bravo, Megan! I could've listened to the three of you for hours.

[@KitschProductions1]

I can't stop watching Miller's Crossing, such a rich movie. "Nobody knows anybody, not that well" from a man who doesn't know himself or why he does what he does, a man obsessed with making the right "play" but is realising how precarious and uncertain the outcomes are and how little he has control over anything. When Leo says he always knows why he does what he does, you can see how hurt Tom is by his certainty and his ignorance of the hell Tom's just been through. It crushes the very thing Tom might have fighting for the whole time, but who knows! Gabriel Byrne's performance is so strong, tender, subtle and devastating, yet the character is insoluble. Love this movie.

[@theshrubberer]

definitely in my best of Coens list

[@theshrubberer]

don't forget "ethics"

[@betterd9160]

It’s an incredible movie.

[@gordonklassen3182]

My favourite line was 'SISTER! when I’ve raised hell ye'll know it'.

[@michaelcolahan2218]

I believe that Tom always knows why he does what he does and what the outcome will be. He is the ultimate puppet master (the man behind the man) and is unflinchingly loyal to Leo. He sacrifices any idea of self or love to set things right for Leo. He is driven to manipulate the entire cast to this end. There lies the brilliance. It cost him everything personally, but he succeeded in moving every piece on the board to the resolution he sought as the game changed in front of him. He was always able to adapt as the story developed. One of my top three movies all-time and possibly my all-time favorite character.

[@MiloFPS]

List and time stamps of all films mentioned (besides Coen Bros ones) 1:16 I Walk Alone (1947) 3:33 Thieves Highway (1949) 5:40 The Big Sleep (1947) 10:13 Double Indemnity (1944) 13:55 Out of the Past (1949) 24:36 Johnny Guitar (1954)

[@cwdwbh]

What a great interview. Thanks for sharing. I am reading Red Harvest because of this. Turns out "“What’s the rumpus?” is actually used in the book, but only just once.

[@chriswertz1438]

It's rare to have an interview by a person who is as well read as these brothers, fabulous stuff!

[@stevephlyer]

Wow, great interview. Millers’ Crossing is their best film, and Gabriel Byrne’s as well. He should’ve gotten an Oscar for it!

[@RawandCookedVegan]

Very smart interview.

[@anitalaydonmiller1433]

This is in my top ten of best interviews I've ever seen.

[@nitrousnine]

Agreed. 100% !

[@911TruthFighter]

First time it didn't look like the boys wanted to be somewhere else. Great job.

[@jackbedient]

Damn, these three know their shit! Brilliant conversation…

[@jayeldubyew4930]

This is what happens when you get an interviewer who is actually passionate and interested in the area of the profession of who they are actually interviewing! Great job!

[@asderc1]

Great interview

[@slw59]

Excellent interview by Megan Abbott.

[@rigsby1454]

Always love hearing from them.

[@Elassyahmed]

What an incredible interviewer. Just truly phenomenal.

[@bourdieufan7433]

brilliant interviewer

[@Valkonnen]

The fact that she knows and has real insight on all of their work, Plus the fact that she is super cute and attractive helps in all cases.

[@larsvontrio]

This is surprisingly good. The Coens' take on noir is a winner of a discussion focus. And not just their take; the lady is very, you know, yeah, switched on, too - summa cum laude to borrow an American superlative, top notch in the role. Joel Coen seems to find her nimble-minded explorations and parlays of their and the genre's ideas stimulating, as do many viewers I'm sure. Now I'm going to find out her name and watch some more of her interviews, because I feel a bit sexist for not having done so already.

[@hossjessup6641]

What a fantastic interview

[@markytolcher6831]

(I've listened to this so many times that I finally noticed the stomach gurgle at @3:28)

[@rishirahul6410]

I've never seen the coens talk as much in an interview.

[@pressureworks]

Yes, "back in the day" old movies were shown late at night but some independent stations, especially WOR NY, would show old movies during the day on the weekends. The Million Dollar Movie !

[@kostafun1437]

Thanks for the interview! I just wish there were subtitles because spoken English here isn’t the easiest to understand for three-quarters of the world’s population for whom English is not a first language. :)

[@kentjensen4504]

This woman is brilliant. They found an nterviewer as insightful as the brothers. Who is she?

[@Studeb]

I love Miller's Crossing, one of their best films and that is saying something. They are known for only shooting things that were in the script and nothing ever ending up on the cutting floor, but I spoke to somebody who worked on it online several years ago, and he said there was a car chase scene or something that he worked on that is not in the movie, I'm very curious of where that would be.

[@gordonklassen3182]

I’ve seen Miller's Crossing dozens of times and NEVER caught Albert Finney in drag. That is …. Whoa. Far out, man.

[@Spractral]

This lady loves noir .. you should work something about noir or the hat or what have you into the title. Interesting conversation. Love the Coens.

[@betterd9160]

The Coen’s have to come to the understanding that we need them. They are true artists. I hope they reconsider and continue to create together. If they refuse, they will be most ungrateful…and the angels will weep.

[@Studeb]

Yeah, I have not even managed to finish Macbeth, seems like Ethan is needed for the lighter touch. It almost feels like they owe the world to continue making movies together, there are no other film makers like them.

[@THE.N1KO]

Ethan is going to release a solo movie first and then they'll work together again.

[@Studeb]

Is that official, great news if so.@@THE.N1KO

[@eminemman4141]

Very cool

[@decencywarrior9598]

A movie about a pothead , stated with an air of disdain JC 😂 Probably never made so much from weed before.

[@gee3680]

True Movie masters.

[@theshrubberer]

who else wants to make "How hangs the J?" a new thing? did i hear that correctly btw? i assumed all the slang was vintage , did not realize they made some up

[@pressureworks]

She does a good job of talking at them.

[@pressureworks]

@@MorePubicHair your.

[@pressureworks]

@@MorePubicHair your.

[@ricardoescobar1166]

analisis de personajes a profundidad

[@befferluger805]

I think the private investigators all drive bugs because they’re like the bugs that gather around a body. My friend told me my takes on coen brothers and sopranos aren’t based in evidence and are “just vibes” and I’m so embarrassed that it’s really hurt my feelings. Makes me want to just make content about my takes and relate them to my politics. Theres a saying in 12-step that all it takes to start a new meeting is a resentment and a coffee pot.

[@woodennickel6148]

Coincidentally the book is better, Shatner. Sincerely, Calypso, Deborah and Me

[@thisismyname3928]

💤💤💤

[@evanbalcom1328]

This is the jewiest interview I have ever seen 😂

[@javedshiledar6368]

What does that even mean?