Burn After Reading

MUST-SEE: (Coen Brothers) Burn After Reading is a hilarious illustration of the truth behind never really knowing the truth. A stellar cast, who put it all on the line to play some of the saddest losers known to modern script, eliminates the need for a drama amidst a slew of steep film (meaning, this film came out during Oscar time). It's almost as if the big names of this film did it simply to recess from the expected; it's a quick homage to why they love the screen, for themselves, not their reputation. The Coen Brothers (arses they may be) bring to accord a mess of people, starting with middle-aged gym employees and crossing all the way over society to emotionally disturbed CIA employees, common adulterers and financial swindlers. At Hardbodies Gym, Francis McDormand's Linda just wants a boyfriend, and a little plastic surgery along the way. Her best friend Chad, Brad Pitt, questionably has no brain at all so we'll say he is there for comic relief and moral support. Richard Jenkins is the manager, secretly in love with McD, but highly unaccepting of her adolescent antics and constantl havign to choose between winning her heart or running his gym. Back across town, Clooney is sleeping with Swinton who is secretly securing finances of her soon to be ex-husband, Malcovich. Insert multiple sex toys and zero compassion for a knock down love-polygon that leaves human default as ultimate humor and absolutely no room for pity. You're seeing these actors as you never have before; they aren't afraid to play fools, and lucky for us, they play most things extremely well, so this is something truly unique. As much as it kills me to pat the Coens on the back, I loved this film. It was upbeat, absolutely funny and placed some of my favorite people into a new (more diverse) light. Don't expect to be wrought with any sort of emotion upon seeing the film. There is ultimately no point to this plot, except to add a little color to a bland world of nobodies, deciding to be somebodies, or at least thinking they deserve to be. Even a teaser role from J.K. Simmons makes this film one of rare disappointment and increased ridiculousness. All in all, a fantastic success.