The murder... The Coen brothers are so good at shocking the audience. "Big Dave's" (James Gandolfini) murder was gruesome in the strongest sense of the word, going on long after most pictures would've cut it, but that, combined with Ed's mild manner, was what made it honest; gruesomely honest.
Riedenschneider was Tony Shalhoub's best performance, in my opinion; I've always liked the guy, but he was simply amazing in this role; especially his introduction, but also the second interview... Just masterful.
This movie is a masterpiece. The beautiful use of many Beethoven sonatas throughout, beautiful shots like the one outside the barber shop, when Ed's told of Doris' (Frances McDormand) arrest (Ed at one end of the shot, the nose of the car at the other, storefront in between)... The movie was just a pleasure to watch.
