Mini-Review: Burn After Reading

Burn After Reading
Directed by Joel and Ethan Coen
Released September 12, 2008

I love “Fargo.” It’s one of my favorite movies. “No Country for Old Men” was very good as well. I detested “Intolerable Cruelty” and “The Big Lebowski” just wasn’t for me. “Burn After Reading” falls extremely safely in the middle of those four. It’s not a great movie, but it’s certainly a hoot. Brad Pitt and Frances McDormand are especially hilarious, and the rest of the cast, including John Malkovich, J.K. Simmons, Richard Jenkins, and George Clooney, are terrific as well. It’s a movie devoid of intelligent characters, but that’s part of its brilliance. Overall, I didn’t exit the film feeling terribly satisfied, though I did have a great time throughout. It contains some surprising moments which upgrade it from being a forgettable comedy. I’d compare it to “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” – it’s an enjoyable ride that ultimately results in nothing too astounding. I am glad I saw it, though.

B-