Burn After Reading

(2008)

Dir: Joel and Ethan Coen

Espionage is bullshit. That seems to be the message pervading the Coen Brother’s blackly comic ensemble piece, Burn After Reading. The most titillating scenes are the ones set in CIA HQ, as a hapless agent tries to explain the convoluted events of the film to his supervisor. The fact that the Coen’s even decide to use this setting to describe the final events of the film rather than actually show them, speaks volumes of how effective these scenes actually are.

But take nothing away from the rest of the film. The Coen’s carve out a neat and tidy ‘chance’ comedy, as former CIA analyst John Malkovich misplaces his self-important memoirs in the gym, where they are discovered by Brad Pitt’s fitness instructor Chad and Cohen regular Frances McDormand as the surgery obsessed Linda Litzke, who decide to blackmail Malkovich’s Osbourne. Throw George Clooney into the mix as the sleazebag who is having an affair with both Osbourne’s wife (Tilda Swinton) and Linda and you have the perfect recipe for misunderstanding and disaster.

It is a pleasure to watch these Hollywood superstars making fools of themselves. Not one single character in the Coen’s witty romp escapes with any dignity. Pitt and Clooney are the standouts, with the seasoned Pitt doing a stunning job as the hapless jock, constantly bopping away to his iPod. Clooney’s erratic Harry is also a hoot, going from smug scumbag to paranoid cry-baby in a matter of minutes. His wild outburst at Linda in the park is a particular treat.

No Country for Old Men, this is not, but it isn’t trying to be. An incidental but very fun film from the creative siblings, and a chance for all those involved to take of their serious ‘actor’ hats, let their hair down (except for Malkovich) and do what they do best: entertain.

*** ½ / *****

“Watch before burning please.”