Saw this one this morning. This one stars George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Frances McDormand, John Malcovich and Tilda "I look like David Bowie" Swinton. It's a dark comedy (written and directed by the Coen Bros.) about a pretentious CIA agent (Malcovich) who quits his job and begins writing his memoirs. Somehow his memoirs, as well as his financial records, fall into the hands of two gym workers (Pitt and McDormand), who try to blackmail him with them.

It's pretty funny, and has a few surprises. It's not as silly as the tv ads make it appear to be, Pitt only dances most of the time, not all of it. He pulls off the role of goofball well.The movie's a little more twisted than advertised, as you'll see Clooney, who's character is fooling around with Swinton's (she plays Malcovich's wife), plays somewhat of a sex fiend.

My favorite character in the whole movie was a small role as the CIA boss, played by J.K. Simmons, (who played J. Jonah Jameson in Spiderman). His somewhat nonchalant "just get rid of this mess" kind of attitiude is perfect.

I'd give it ***1/2 out of ****

I am right with you on this, Colonel. Saw it this morning.

The Coen brothers are just amazing. I slapped myself a few more times in the face for forgetting them in my "list of best filmmakers today" because their range is just ridiculous. They can go from making something so profound and unsettling as "No Country for Old Men", "Fargo", "Miller's Crossing" or "Blood Simple"--and still have room for some of the biggest gutbusting comedies like "Raising Arizona", "O Brother Where Art Thou?", "The Big Lebowski" and this new one, "Burn After Reading."

This film is the definition of a romp. And it works great. The characters are well drawn out, the acting is superb all the way up and down. Pitt is hysterical, as is Clooney, McDormand, and Malkovich. And just as an aside, it's been a nice welcome back for Malkovich--I haven't seen him seem to have as much fun with a role in years. It clocks in at about 95 minutes, too, so you're not bogged down with scenes that drag on too long or anything.

Great flick to get through the post-summer doldrums at the box office.

Looking forward to "Body of Lies" big time. And "Frost/Nixon".

out of

Saw it last night. Aside from the hilarity of Malkovich throwing f-bomb laced fits and the contraption that the "Treasury guy" built in his basement, that movie had nothing. No, let me restate it, I thought it sucked ass and was an utter waste of time, gas, and money. I wouldn't mind it arriving with one of the netflix shipments, but DEFINITELY not worth the theater admission fee.

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"It's not exactly a rocket surgery." D.J.

May I recommend the cheap/early show? It's not as "cheap" as it used to be, but for a couple of bucks less it's worth it to go to the show before noon.

i guess i can see where a person would look for that, but i've known trainers at gyms that were exactly like pitt's character. i believed it completely. pitt seemed like he had fun with the character. i found it damn funny.

but this is why art is subjective.

As stated above, the CIA situation briefs and Brad Pitt scenes are worth the price of at least the rental of this movie.

Just saw this movie tonight - don't get to the moving picture shows anymore.......


It is great - in the usual Coen brothers way. You get done watching and say to yourself "that was a good movie, and I'm not sure I even know exactly why".

It has some of the usual Coen Bros tricks - slimeball characters, twists/turns, many plot lines that converge at the end. But it was lacking one aspect of their movies that I always enjoy...............

The music. Doesn't happen in this one.

I read the reviews above, and I actually tend to agree w/ Pisla on this one ( ). Brad Pitt is actually not great, he's ok, but not great. I had heard from so many that "he steals the show" - but no way.

Clooney is fantastic (again- his role in "O brother" is one of my all-time fav's). I would watch this one again, soon, just to soak his character in a little more.


I would agree with the common 3 out of 4 stars theme that is posted here.

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I don't know why, but I absolutely LOOOOVE the way John Malkovich says 'Fuck'. It just kind of resonates off his lips.

I didn't think I'd like this flick, but it was amusingly quirky.

Brad Pitt was funnier than hell - pretty tragic for Richard Jenkins...

I go along with 3 out of 4 stars - you have no idea where this movie will take you, so just sit down and enjoy.

I was wondering WTF George Clooney was making in his basement and then laughed my ass off when I saw it.

I also enjoyed him transporting 'The Liberator' to his mistresses crib. too f'n funny.

I busted out laughing when I saw him take it out of his car.

My wife asked me what I thought was so funny. "It's the LIBERATOR!!!"

"WHAT are you talking about?"

"...nevermind"

We watched this over the weekend. It was pretty funny. I don't know if I can say it was "great" or not, but it was entertaining. I found myself over an hour into still asking myself "What the fuck is going on here?"

"The Russians?! Really?"

I also thought Malkovich looked terribly old in this flick.

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I finally saw this last night. I had read Zach's review on his website a couple days ago and really thought Id like it. I just couldnt. I've never liked Clooney in these kind of roles, same reason I didnt like O Brother. I thought he does a terrible job in these quirky comedies. Malkovich and Pitt, especially Pitt, were the only thing keeping me entertained, so I was pissed when he got killed. While I think McDormand gave a solid effort, I didnt like her character.

I agree with whoever said it above that the Director's character was perfect. I really enjoyed his scenes as well. I dont think I could give this more than 2 out of stars.

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Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

I had a hard time getting into this one too. Certaintly not one of my favorite Coen bros. movies. Admittedly my wife fell asleep and I was pretty tired from work when I watched it.

their comedies seem to be their most polarizing films. i think you have to "get" their sense of humor to enjoy them.

Probably true Zach but The Big Lebowski is one of my favorite movies.

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Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

"lebowski" is different, it has some genuinely, generally funny sequences in it. a lot of their comedies exist on different planes...i think i was condescending in my post--it's just a style they use. you either like it or you don't. if you weren't going to like clooney doing quirky, you were not going to be able to get into "burn after reading", i don't think. but you're really missing out on "o brother where art thou"; great piece of filmmaking altogether.

Yeah you're probably right. Maybe I need to check it out again. I only saw it one time and it was in theatres so it was awhile ago.

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Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

Agreed on O' Brother Where Art Thou... however, I think the movie could have been better without Clooney... I just don't think he does comedy very well. He was good in O' Brother, but I felt someone else could have made it even better. Music and cinematography in that one were excellent too.

Do the Coen brothers write the Boers & Bernstein show too?

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You know me like that.

i don't know, is george clooney ever a guest?