The Ballad of Buster Scruggs
First screened in November 2018
Director: Joel and Ethan Coen. Cast: Tim Blake Nelson, Clancy Brown, Willie Watson, David Krumholtz, James Franco, Ralph Ineson, Stephen Root, Jesse Luken, Liam Neeson, Harry Melling, Tom Waits, Sam Dillon, Zoe Kazan, Bill Heck, Grainger Hines, Jeffeson Mays, Prudence Wright Holmes, Ethan Dubin, Tyne Daly, Chelcie Ross, Jonjo O'Neill, Brendan Gleeson, Saul Rubinek. Screenplay: Joel and Ethan Coen.

Twitter Capsule: I had settled into disliking this film till the last two episodes hooked my begrudging semi-interest.

Second Capsule: Because we could not stop for Death he kindly stopped for me and me and me and me and me and us.

VOR:   Beyond Coens' automatic "event" status, this plays with anthology structure and links personal to national mortality—but not always effectively.



Photo © 2018 Netflix/Annapurna Pictures

Not yet reviewed in full. Grade: B–


Academy Award Nominations:
Best Adapted Screenplay: Joel and Ethan Coen
Best Costume Design: Mary Zophres
Best Original Song: "When a Cowboy Trades His Spurs for Wings"

Other Awards:
Venice Film Festival: Best Screenplay

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