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Where else could you get some of the biggest names in Hollywood to work for scale just so they can be in your not-so-average movie? When the Coen brothers' name is attached, actors stand in line to be in that movie, especially when the last movie they did ("No Country for Old Men") brought home a bunch of Oscars.
Both Joel and Ethan Coen have what many in Hollywood would die for: eclectic movies with an independent feel and box-office numbers that continue to let the brothers call their own shots. It doesn't hurt, either, that they have a huge, loyal fan base with movies that attract just about everyone.
They never are the same and always are off-center. "Raising Arizona," "The Man Who Wasn't There," "Miller's Crossing," "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" and my fave, "Fargo," are just a few in a long line of very original filmmaking. They can easily go from the very dramatic (as in last year's "No Country") to just plain bizarro ("Barton Fink") without any apologies. Add to that a who's who of A-list actors, and you have a formula for great movies without a formula in the writing process.
In their latest film, "Burn After Reading," we get to see not just some fine acting, but also actors who really were having a good time. If you think you've seen all of George Clooney's or Brad Pitt's range of acting, then you are in for a huge surprise. Here, they are at their loosest, almost spastic, in characters usually not associated with their style. The best part is that the movie allows all the actors to have equal screen time without one main character holding the movie together.
With a cast that includes John Malkovich, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton, Elizabeth Marvel and Richard Jenkins (along with Clooney and Pitt) "Burn After Reading" might not be their best flick, but it sure is fun to watch.
Both Joel and Ethan Coen have what many in Hollywood would die for: eclectic movies with an independent feel and box-office numbers that continue to let the brothers call their own shots. It doesn't hurt, either, that they have a huge, loyal fan base with movies that attract just about everyone.
They never are the same and always are off-center. "Raising Arizona," "The Man Who Wasn't There," "Miller's Crossing," "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" and my fave, "Fargo," are just a few in a long line of very original filmmaking. They can easily go from the very dramatic (as in last year's "No Country") to just plain bizarro ("Barton Fink") without any apologies. Add to that a who's who of A-list actors, and you have a formula for great movies without a formula in the writing process.
In their latest film, "Burn After Reading," we get to see not just some fine acting, but also actors who really were having a good time. If you think you've seen all of George Clooney's or Brad Pitt's range of acting, then you are in for a huge surprise. Here, they are at their loosest, almost spastic, in characters usually not associated with their style. The best part is that the movie allows all the actors to have equal screen time without one main character holding the movie together.
With a cast that includes John Malkovich, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton, Elizabeth Marvel and Richard Jenkins (along with Clooney and Pitt) "Burn After Reading" might not be their best flick, but it sure is fun to watch.
The Coens' latest project has them serving in the capacity of co-directors, co-writers and co-producers. If the movie is a little hard to follow at first, don't worry - it gets even weirder later on.
CIA operative Osborne Cox (Malkovich) has had his last meltdown. Used up and discarded by the company, Cox starts writing his memoir because he has the time, and his wife, Katie (Swinton), is too busy with other pursuits, such as that of federal marshal Harry Pfarrer (Clooney). She wants to leave her husband to be with Harry, but he barely has any time at all, what with other flings and Internet dating schemes. His plate, to say the least, is constantly full (and hot).
Things get interesting when Cox loses his disc with the memoir to Linda Litzke (McDormand), an employee at the Hardbodies Gym. Thinking that what she has is more than what it is, she assumes the Russians might want the info for a price. She needs to raise money for some cosmetic nip-and-tucks, so why not take advantage of the situation? Enter trainer and fellow employee Chad Feldheimer (Pitt), who encourages Linda to get the highest bidder, even if it means blackmailing the author.
Pitt's character easily sets the personal-fitness trainer profession back at least 20 years. He gives new meaning to the term "dweeb," and between the two of them, Chad and Linda have just enough IQ to power a small electric train. Oh, did I mention that Linda's also having a fling with Harry? He needs his fix to fulfill his "problem" because his wife (Marvel) is a children's author on tour.
As if the improvisational madness of all these malcontents weren't enough, the body count mounts as more and more misfits get involved.
CIA operative Osborne Cox (Malkovich) has had his last meltdown. Used up and discarded by the company, Cox starts writing his memoir because he has the time, and his wife, Katie (Swinton), is too busy with other pursuits, such as that of federal marshal Harry Pfarrer (Clooney). She wants to leave her husband to be with Harry, but he barely has any time at all, what with other flings and Internet dating schemes. His plate, to say the least, is constantly full (and hot).
Things get interesting when Cox loses his disc with the memoir to Linda Litzke (McDormand), an employee at the Hardbodies Gym. Thinking that what she has is more than what it is, she assumes the Russians might want the info for a price. She needs to raise money for some cosmetic nip-and-tucks, so why not take advantage of the situation? Enter trainer and fellow employee Chad Feldheimer (Pitt), who encourages Linda to get the highest bidder, even if it means blackmailing the author.
Pitt's character easily sets the personal-fitness trainer profession back at least 20 years. He gives new meaning to the term "dweeb," and between the two of them, Chad and Linda have just enough IQ to power a small electric train. Oh, did I mention that Linda's also having a fling with Harry? He needs his fix to fulfill his "problem" because his wife (Marvel) is a children's author on tour.
As if the improvisational madness of all these malcontents weren't enough, the body count mounts as more and more misfits get involved.
"Burn After Reading" will be classified as a comedy, but it really is a spy caper that turns hilarious, because it's obvious by watching that the actors were almost intentionally trying to crack up the Coens - even when they weren't supposed to.
- Howie Nave is host/manager of The Improv comedy club inside Harveys and reviews films for seven radio stations throughout Northern California and Nevada, including Sirius Radio. He hosts "Howie's Morning Rush" on Tahoe's KRLT radio, and you can see his film reviews on "Howie's Late Night Rush" Monday through Friday at midnight on RSN.
- Howie Nave is host/manager of The Improv comedy club inside Harveys and reviews films for seven radio stations throughout Northern California and Nevada, including Sirius Radio. He hosts "Howie's Morning Rush" on Tahoe's KRLT radio, and you can see his film reviews on "Howie's Late Night Rush" Monday through Friday at midnight on RSN.
Keepin' it reel:
NOW PLAYING: "Burn After Reading"
STARRING: George Clooney, Frances McDormand, Brad Pitt, John Malkovich, Tilda Swinton, Richard Jenkins, David Rasche and J.K. Simmons DIRECTED BY: Ethan Coen and Joel Coen RATED: R for pervasive language, some sexual content and violence RUNNING TIME: 98 minutes HOWIE GIVES IT: 4 out of 5 bagels |
