“Burn After Reading”

Score: 9/10

Starring: George Clooney, Francis McDormand, Brad Pitt, John Malkovich, Tilda Swinton

The Plot: Another one of the Coen Brothers “heist-turned-disaster comedies,” the film is about the attempted blackmail of Osborne Cox (Malkovich), an ex-CIA operative who has his personal memoirs lifted from a fitness club locker room. The movie is one part torrid love scandal, one part spy drama and a dash of dry political discourse.

The Good: As in any Coen Brothers movie, the humor shined. Different people in the audience were laughing almost throughout every moment of the movie, a testament to the craftily woven subtle humor that carries the movie all the way through. J.K. Simmons delivers in his limited role, but the true humor here lies with Malkovich. His nihilistic, wry humor steals almost every scene.

The film, similar to “Fargo,” focuses on so many different angles that at the end when it all comes together, all the viewer can do is laugh at the incredible story contained within.

A big fan of the Coens, I attempted to judge the movie on its own, removing it from its context. Still, to their credit, the movie is fantastic and kept everybody laughing at both big and small moments.

Brad Pitt’s character Chad, a brainless gym worker, shines as a character beyond stupid, and any scene he and Malkovich are both in almost brought the house down. Pitt’s character is so funny that people were laughing before he even had a chance to say a word.

The Bad: Before the credits, Kid Rock’s new song for the National Guard was incredibly tasteless, cliché and propagandistic.

The Lowdown: This may be the most accessible film in the Coen’s extensive catalogue. Some of the laughs are easy, some are for the more “advanced” viewer, but all of them are just as earnest as the one that preceded it.

Every fan of the Coen’s work should go see this movie right away, but for those who really are not into their style may want to wait for the DVD release. However, everyone should be able to find something that appeals to them within this film.

“Burn After Reading” is what comedies should be like these days.

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