Burn After Reading

Starring: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Frances McDormand, John Malkovich, Tilda Swinton, J.K. Simmons, Richard Jenkins
Directed by: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy
2008

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: An ex-CIA agent (John Malkovich) is writing his memoirs. His wife (Tilda Swinton) takes the memoir but loses it while having an affair with a federal marshal (George Clooney). Two bumbling gym employees (Frances McDormand, Brad Pitt) find the memoirs, and mistaking it for top-level secrets, they attempt to use it for blackmail.

Review:

Tim: I go back and forth on the Coen brothers. Some of their movies, I love (No Country For Old Men), some movies I don't (Fargo). This movie is in the latter category. The Coen brothers assemble an all-star cast, but disappoint on the execution. The movie is itself a silly back-and-forth comedic caper, where a large cast is connected and all come to a head at a critical moment.

Let's take a look at the cast, since that is the main attraction. George Clooney is decent as a very odd federal marshal. I enjoyed watching him. Brad Pitt is an absolute tool in this movie. He did an impressive job of acting like a total moron throughout the film. Frances McDormand was decent, but I've never been a huge fan and she didn't win me over here. Tilda Swinton is just annoying. I don't like her at all, and I didn't like her in the least here. John Malkovich was a terrific addition to the cast. He is probably the most enjoyable in the entire film. His "Why the *&^% would they go to the Russians?" line is perhaps my favorite. J.K. Simmons and Richard Jenkins both have small roles, but they were both enjoyable. As a whole, the impressive cast don't all work well, but there is still something to be said for having so many good actors together.

The biggest issue I have with this movie is that it just isn't funny. The Coen brothers give us a bunch of characters, none of whom are honorable or fun to watch. We have no one to root for as we watch our characters butt heads in various situations. There never seems to be any point to what we're watching. We have no real interest and nothing at stake, so it is difficult to get into the movie too much. Yes, there are a few good twists and unexpected events, but these can't save the movie.

Burn After Reading is a valiant attmpt that ultimately goes no where. I was bored and tired of watching the movie less than halfway through it. After the amazing No Country for Old Men, this is a huge letdown.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 5.5



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: No Country for Old Men, Fargo, Intolerable Cruelty, The Ladykillers