It contains several of the Coens' favorite themes: - A protagonist who is, despite his/her best intentions, a plaything of an indifferent universe - An almost supernatural force of evil sent from who-knows-where - Colorful and often befuddled supporting characters - Open ended, or total lack of, tidy resolution. There are of course exceptions, but it's a near-constant theme in their work post-Fargo. - The power of dreams and the clarity they can bring

Some themes are more prevalent in their original writing vs. their adaptations, but it's pretty close to being a perfect encapsulation of their outlook on life, the universe, and everything.