The filmmakers who astounded Sam Raimi: “Really strong work ethic”

Posted On August 28, 2024August 28, 2024

A common point of interest between those who enjoy superhero movies as well as those who are exclusively interested in other kinds of genre filmmaking, Sam Raimi is someone whose work most film fans can appreciate. Be it his iconic Evil Dead series or the widely beloved Spider-Man trilogy, Raimi has won praise from all corners of the cinematic landscape.

Given his long hiatus from the world of filmmaking, many were truly surprised when he decided to make his comeback with a Marvel movie at a time when superhero movies were being rightfully criticised for their repetitive and formulaic frameworks. However, with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Raimi proved that he still had what it takes to operate at a very high level, resulting in a critical and commercial success.

However, for fans who really appreciate Raimi’s experiments with genre, it’s his early works that continue to hold the most interest. One fantastic example is Crimewave, which combined all sorts of elements and techniques from film noir to B-movies in order to create an unforgettable black comedy. It isn’t just one of Raimi’s most singular efforts but also the result of a powerful creative partnership with none other than the Coen brothers.

During a conversation with Rolling Stone, Raimi opened up about his experience of working with the acclaimed American filmmaking duo, claiming that they taught him exactly what it means to be obsessed with a creative object. It is that very obsession that has contributed to the emergence of so many memorable gems over the years, ranging from Fargo to No Country for Old Men.

When asked about what he learned from them, Raimi responded: “A really strong work ethic. And we did more than just movies like Crimewave, or me asking for help on Darkman, or writing short stories together, working on the Hudsucker Proxy screenplay. We did other things, too, that maybe were never published or released. But their work ethic was astounding. They would sit down at that typewriter for like 14 hours straight. And then just break to go to Denny’s, come back and go back to it.”

The filmmaker added: “The next morning was just the same way: A cup of coffee, we’d begin, and it wouldn’t stop. It’s like, ‘Oh, my God, these guys are freaking serious writers. They don’t do anything but write and pace.’ Hours would go by with Ethan and Joel thinking and thinking, looking for the right line or the right insight. I was humbled and impressed and laughed my head off. And the few times that I could contribute on their level, I felt very rewarded.”

Even though The Hudsucker Proxy is seen by many as one of the weaker efforts in the Coen brothers’ exceptionally stacked filmography, it is still very interesting to analyse from the context of the screenplay that they cobbled together with Raimi. Capturing that strange anxiety that runs as an undercurrent in many of their works, it’s a whimsical critique of the power structures that control corporate America.

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