Burn After Reading Review
by Steve Rhodes (steve DOT rhodes AT internetreviews DOT com)September 12th, 2008
BURN AFTER READING
A film review by Steve Rhodes
Copyright 2008 Steve Rhodes
RATING (0 TO ****): ***
BURN AFTER READING bursts with wonderfully wacky intrigue. Although its trailers might make it seem too silly, the Coen Brothers, Ethan and Joel, manage to get pitch perfect performances from their large and very talented cast. It may not be FARGO funny, but it is really cute.
The secret to the success of this comedy is that it never takes itself too seriously. There are no political speeches or messages, but all of the actors approach the comedy as if it were high drama, which makes the jokes especially effective.
The story is a bit of a tempest in a teapot, but most of the characters believe that they are involved in a very high level game of espionage. The film's dramatic music, which is heavy on the low bass and uses drums extensively, punctuates the story line with a goofy gusto, adding more pseudo-seriousness.
The story starts with the demotion of Osborne "Ozzie" Cox (John Malkovich). A bow-tied CIA analyst in a three-piece suit, he can't believe he is taken off of the Balkans desk because of his alleged (and actual) drinking problem, so he quits and starts writing his memoir.
Katie (Tilda Swinton), Ozzie's ice princess of a wife, is currently having an affair with Harry Pfarrer (George Clooney), a U. S. Marshall who frequently jokes that he has never discharged his firearm in his two decades of service. Since Katie is an obnoxious, take-no-prisoners lover, Harry has been shopping around lately on the internet for her replacement.
Also trolling the internet dating services is Linda Litzke (Frances McDormand), a fitness trainer at the local Hardbodies Fitness Center. A woman obsessed with having four separate and expensive plastic surgeries that she can't afford, she explains to her boss, Ted Treffon (Richard Jenkins), that her big rear "swings like a shopping cart with a bent wheel." Flaws and all, she finds that her body is attractive to Harry, who likes nothing better than sleeping around.
So what, you ask, does all of this have to do with espionage?
Well, one day at the gym, one trainer finds a CD with names and numbers of what appear to be CIA agents. When Chad Feldheimer (Brad Pitt), Linda's coworker, gets hold of it, he hatches a scheme for them to get a reward from its owner, who appears to be Ozzie. This might work except that Ozzie is dangerous maniac who no longer works for the agency and Chad is a complete doofus. A card-carrying member of Morons R Us, Chad is the worst possible person to try to shake down a dangerous and deranged guy like Ozzie. When an awkwardly dressed Chad first meets Ozzie, Chad warns him that "appearances can be deceptive." Pitt, in a bit of unusual casting, is hilarious in his part.
The very entertaining film is a sheer delight. And, it's smart enough not to overstay its welcome, running a brisk ninety-one minutes and no more. It's not a great comedy, but it sure is a thoroughly satisfying one.
BURN AFTER READING runs 1:31. It is rated R for "pervasive language, some sexual content and violence" and would be acceptable for teenagers.
The film opens nationwide in the United States on Friday, September 12, 2008. In the Silicon Valley, it will be showing at the AMC theaters, the Century theaters and the Camera Cinemas.
Web: http://www.InternetReviews.com
Email: [email protected]
***********************************************************************
Want reviews of new films via Email?
Just write [email protected] and put "subscribe" in the subject line.
More on 'Burn After Reading'...
Originally posted in the rec.arts.movies.reviews newsgroup. Copyright belongs to original author unless otherwise stated. We take no responsibilities nor do we endorse the contents of this review.
