Dr. Venkman Reviews: 'Burn After Reading' was Brilliant
What a fantastically bright and witty film! There are really no limits to what the Coen Brothers can do they never hold back on the punches. These guys have surprised me with every movie they have made. ‘Burn After Reading' fits right in with the rest of the Coen Brothers film library.
‘Burn After Reading' is like a modern day Shakespearian tragic comedy. The movie is just incredibly smart. So smart in fact it may be its downfall. I say that because it may go over some people's heads. I thought it was splendidly funny, but while in the movie theater there were only a hand full of people that laughed with me during the movie. I don't want to discourage anyone from seeing this movie because it is filmmaking and story telling at its best.
The movie is a great character study. There are so many different kinds of personalities in this film and it is so fun to watch how they react with one another. The first part of the movie is building the characters up and getting to know them. Some people may say the movie has a slow start but I thought it was a great set up. Everything plays into the story, without it the plot can't build up the way it did and you wouldn't get the best ending in a movie I have seen this year. I loved the end of this film.
‘Burn After Reading' is full of great little sodalities and details. When watching this movie pay attention to the characters, what they say, and how they say it. It really brings out the comedy.
Through a series of thought out and totally random events, two average not to bright gym employees come across a CD with certain information on it. In an attempt to unknowingly blackmail the owner of the disc for some money, they set in motion another set of unintentional ridiculous series of events that involves several high profile people that have no clue what is happening but want it to go away. It is more of an annoyance to them then anything.
The acting in the movie is awesome. You can't get any better than this. It would be so hard to pull off what these actors did for their characters. The movie starred George Clooney played Harry Pfarrer. I love it when this guy does comedy, especially for the Coen Bros. Frances McDormand was splendid as Linda Litzke who is obsessed with her body and wanting to improve it. Brad Pitt was amazing as gym employee Chad who is just a air head spaz. John Malkovich was frighteningly funny in his role as Osborne Cox the guy the gym employees are trying to blackmail. The movie also starred Tilda Swinton, Richard Jenkins and J.K. Simmons. Everyone was magnificent.
The movie was written and directed by Ethan and Joel Coen. They did a bloody brilliant job with this movie. These guys are so freakin good at what they do. I can't wait to see what else they have up their sleeve.
I am telling you, if there is one movie you go see this week go check out ‘Burn After Reading'. It is a great movie and I think you will be pleasantly shocked when you watch it.
No matter what you end up seeing always remember to enjoy your time at the movies.
- Dr. Venkman
