Burn After Reading [2008]

Burn After Reading is another masterpiece coming to us from the Coen brothers (Blood Simple., Raising Arizona, No Country for Old Men, The Man Who Wasn’t There) . So, expect a movie in a line of Fargo, lots of dark humor and serious but not that serious situations. I like how they used Brad Pitt as a health and workout freak, it’s sort of what would happen if someone whom you least expect gained possession of something really valuable (did someone say No Country For Old Man). So you got the funny elements from that predicament and generally funny elements, along with a good story backed up by great performances from Clooney, McDormand and the rest of the crew. Although it has a mainstream vibe, don’t be fooled, this is a black comedy with an espionage twist. Focusing on the characters, the main story took a hit, but you won’t even notice it while all the madness is going on.

Two gym employers accidentally gain possession of a valuable disc containing memoirs of a former CIA employer. Then they try to make money out of it in every way they could think of, and that leads to a, how can I put this, a series of weird situations. Burn After Reading is an unhinged comedy filled with crazy characters and zany situations. It’s the moment when you realize that the characters are not so crazy when compared to real life that makes you reevaluate the world we live in. Driven by characters and intriguing dialogue, pace is steady and enjoyable. Leave to Coen brothers to create a spy movie without explosions, car chases and larger-than-life characters…

Directors: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen

Cast: George Clooney, Frances McDormand, Brad Pitt, John Malkovich, Tilda Swinton, Richard Jenkins

Fun Facts: J.K. Simmons (CIA Superior) never stands up throughout the film.

Rating:

IMDb Link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0887883/