00s Movie Review - Burn After Reading

Director: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen
Genre: Drama/ Comedy
Runtime: 96 minutes
Year: 2008
Starring: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton, John Malkovich, Richard Jenkins, J.K. Simmons

Description: A disk containing mysterious information from a CIA agent ends up in the hands of two unscrupulous and daft gym employees (Brad Pitt, Frances McDormand) who attempt to sell it.

Review: “Burn After Reading” is a comedy from the Coen Brothers that is unpredictable, has a sharp sense of language and characters that will stay with you.
Linda Litzke is an employee of a fitness club who is desperately seeking funding for the plastic surgery she deems indispensable. Her co-worker Chad Feldheimer is all sunshine: a dorky guy who thinks he’s smart, a sports fanatic with a penchant for the word shit. Then there is the fired, alcoholic CIA agent Osbourne Cox, his ice-cold wife, and the sex-obsessed Harry Pfarrer, who sleeps with just about every female character.  
Basically, the plot is simple: Osbourne Cox loses a copy of his memoir. Linda and Chad mistake it for top secret information and try to get something for it, any way they can. But of course, all sorts of things go wrong, the entanglements become increasingly complicated and surreal, and no one, not even the CIA, has a clue what’s actually happening.
“Burn After Reading” is populated with stupid, selfish people, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t any affection for them. And while doesn’t have a clear moral message, it is a film where moral issues come up. A film that seems a bit superficial, but has much more to say about it than you might think. You could even call it a satire.  
But more important than deeper layers and meanings, of course, with a comedy is always: it it funny? The answer is yes, but those expecting one thigh-slapping joke after another will be disappointed. This is partly because the film is filmed fairly straightforwardly. And it’s more the characters and their actions that are funny. A movie by the Coen Brothers that is very overlooked.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

Top 5 Thursday: Coen Brothers Movies

The Coen Brothers have a very diverse filmography. Sometimes it’s a dark comedy, sometimes a modern western, sometimes absurd satire. They certainly have an impressive resume and I love their work. Here are my five favorite movies directed by the Coen Brothers.

5. Burn After Reading
Most people don’t like it, think it’s just a silly film. “Burn After Reading” has a great cast and I think it’s hilarious. I love Brad Pitt, John Malkovich and George Clooney in this film.

4. O Brother, Where Art Thou?
A variation on “Odyssey”. Also not one of the more popular Coen Brothers movies, but I love this film. The first time I saw George Clooney’s comedic talent. And I love the music in “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”

3. No Country for Old Men
A more serious film, an at first sight it’s very unlike the Coen Brothers. It’s a fascinating film, a great story and strong performances. Javier Bardem portrays villain Anton Chigurh and is one of the most convincing and scary villains in movie history.

2. The Big Lebowski
A stoner comedy, with probably the coolest character in any Coen Brothers movie. The Dude is super awesome. Jeff Bridges, John Goodman and Steve Buscemi rock!

1. Fargo
It’s one of the most acclaimed films and has some of the most memorable characters in it. William H. Macy, Steve Buscemi and Frances McDormand are all great in “Fargo”. This movie is so good, that it even got its own TV show.

They Almost Made the Top 5: Inside Llewyn Davis, True Grit, Barton Fink, A Serious Man

Me & 3 Coen Brothers Movies

This director duo is very unique. Sometimes humorous, sometimes serious, always wit a dark edge. I picked out three movies directed by Joel and/or Ethan Coen.

Fargo
Genre: Drama
Year: 1996
Director: Joel Coen
Cast: Frances McDormand, William H. Macy, Steve Buscemi, Peter Stormare
Description: Jerry (William H. Macy) works in his father-in-law's car dealership and has gotten himself in financial problems. He tries various schemes to come up with money needed for a reason that is never really explained. It has to be assumed that his huge embezzlement of money from the dealership is about to be discovered by father-in-law. When all else falls through, plans he set in motion earlier for two men to kidnap his wife for ransom to be paid by her wealthy father (who doesn't seem to have the time of day for son-in-law). From the moment of the kidnapping, things go wrong and what was supposed to be a non-violent affair turns bloody with more blood added by the minute. Jerry is upset at the bloodshed, which turns loose a pregnant sheriff (Frances McDormand) from Brainerd who is tenacious in attempting to solve the three murders in her jurisdiction.
Opinion: The Coen brother know how to write a great screenplay. I love the dark humor and Marge Gunderson is f***in’ awesome. Frances McDormand rocks this movie. And William H. Macy is perfect playing the ‘not-so-lucky’ Jerry.
Favorite character: Marge Gunderson (Frances McDormand)
Most memorable quote: “Say, Lou, didya hear the one about the guy who couldn't afford personalized plates, so he went and changed his name to J3L2404?” -Marge Gunderson-
Best scene: Marge finds the car and then sees Gaear Grimsrud putting someone in a woodchipper, like it’s nothing.

No Country for Old Men
Genre: Drama/ Thriller
Year: 2007
Director: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Cast: Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin, Javier Bardem, Woody Harrelson, Kell MacDonald
Description: Violence and mayhem ensue after a hunter stumbles upon a drug deal gone wrong and more than two million dollars in cash near the Rio Grande.
Opinion: A great story told with some interesting characters. Javier Bardem plays one of the most relentless killers ever to be seen in film. Very calm, but that’s the scary part.
Favorite character: Ed Tom Bell (Tommy Lee Jones)
Most memorable quote: “And you know what’s going to happen now. You should admit your situation. There would be no dignity.” –Anton Chigurh-
Best scene: Anton Chigurh at the gasstation, where he’s talking to the gas station proprietor.

Burn After Reading
Genre: Drama/ Comedy
Year: 2008
Director: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Cast: George Clooney, John Malkovich, Frances McDormand, Brad Pitt, Tilda Swinton, Richard Jenkins
Description: A disk containing the memoirs of a CIA agent ends up in the hands of two unscrupulous gym employees who attempt to sell it.
Opinion: A great combination of dark humor and light humor. Some memorable characters, some likeable and some extremely annoying. The Coen brothers made another good film.
Favorite character: Chad Feldheimer (Brad Pitt)
Most memorable quote: “I have a drinking problem? Fuck you, Peck, you’re a Mormon. Compared to you we ALL have a drinking problem!” –Osbourne Cox-
Best scene: Harry shows Linda what he’s been building in the basement. That’s one weird chair that made me laugh so loud.

Favorite of the 3: Fargo