San Qiang Pai An Jing Qi (aka A Woman, A Gun And A Noodle Shop) (2009)

Loosely, very loosely, based on the Coen Brothers faux noir BLOOD SIMPLE, Yimou Zhang (HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS) attempts a change of pace with this witty black comedy. Set in rural China in what appears to be the early 18th century, a miser (Ni Dahong) who abuses his young wife (Yan Ni) suspects she's having an affair with an employee (Xiao Shenyang) of their noodle shop. To this end, he hires a corrupt lawman to kill them both. The film balances broad comedy (much broader than the Coens did) interpolated with thriller aspects and it works beautifully. The widescreen vistas of the Gansu locations with their red dirt mountains and isolation can't help but evoke the westerns of Sergio Leone (who also poured plenty of humor into his films) and indeed, the film has the feel of a spaghetti western. Two hilarious highlights: a flashy noodle making session in the kitchen and an attempted burial by the wife's lover. Thoroughly delightful.